LASIK for Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Is It the Right Option?

Serving the greater Jacksonville area, Maida Custom Vision has helped countless patients achieve excellent vision and optimal eye health. One way that this is accomplished is LASIK surgery, a laser vision correction procedure that eliminates the need for glasses and contacts. A number of patients who suffer from farsightedness wonder if LASIK is right for them. Let’s tackle that issue right now.

About Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Farsightedness refers to an ability to see objects that are far away but a difficulty seeing objects that are nearby. The farsightedness may be related to issues with the cornea or issues with the lens of the eye. In either case, the light passing through the eyes is focused behind the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyes) rather than on the retina.

When farsightedness is related to the shape of the corneas, this is known as a refractive error. Improper corneal curvature can also cause nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism.

Presbyopia: Age-Related Farsightedness

Another form of farsightedness that people experience is presbyopia. This is a natural part of the aging process that involves the hardening or loss of flexibility of the lens of the eye. When this occurs, the process of accommodation (i.e., focusing of the lens) is greatly reduced. People who develop presbyopia will notice major issues with their distance vision. Presbyopia will tend to set in during a person’s forties, becoming more likely or more pronounced with advanced age.

How LASIK Works

LASIK is a refractive procedure that is performed in order to reshape the cornea. During the LASIK procedure, a laser light is used to alter the contours of the cornea and improve the passage of light through the eyes. A flap is created in the topmost layer of the cornea in order for the revision of the cornea to take place.

Is LASIK right for me and my issues with farsightedness?

The answer is that it depends.

For refractive errors, LASIK is a great option so long as patients have healthy, regularly shaped corneas and have stable vision for at least a year leading into surgery. Patients who undergo LASIK must also not suffer from dry eye syndrome or be pregnant or nursing at the time of surgery.

When it comes to treating presbyopia, monovision LASIK may be performed. This will involve correcting one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision in order to address presbyopia. The same stipulations for general LASIK candidacy will apply.

Alternatives to LASIK Surgery

If LASIK is not an ideal option for your farsightedness, there are numerous alternatives to consider.

If patients are not ideal candidates for LASIK but still qualify for refractive surgery, then an alternative refractive procedure similar to LASIK will be performed, such as PRK or LASEK.

If refractive surgery is not an ideal treatment for a patient, the use of an intraocular lens (IOL) may be ideal. This is an artificial lens that replaces the natural lens of the eye in order to restore clarity of vision.

When surgery of any kind is not ideal for a patients, prescription lenses (i.e., glasses and contacts) are the most ideal option to consider.

Tailoring Treatments to Meet Your Needs

During your consultation at Maida Custom Vision, we will carefully consider your candidacy for various treatments and determine which option is right for you. By tailoring treatment to your needs,better results will be possible.

Schedule a Consultation for Refractive Surgery

If you would like more information about all of your options for advanced vision correction, be sure to contact our laser eye surgery center today. The entire team at Maida Custom Vision looks forward to your visit and helping you make the best decisions when it comes to your overall vision health and wellness.