LASIK for Nearsightedness and Farsightedness: How Does It Work?

LASIK is a popular vision correction procedure designed to help people with nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) achieve clear vision without glasses or contacts. But how does LASIK address these different types of vision issues?

Understanding Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Nearsightedness occurs when the eye is slightly too long or the cornea is overly curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina. This results in blurry distance vision, while nearby objects remain clear. Farsightedness, on the other hand, happens when the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina. This makes close objects difficult to see, though distance vision may still be sharp.

How LASIK Corrects Each Condition

LASIK works by reshaping the cornea — the eye’s clear front surface — to redirect light properly onto the retina for clear vision. During the procedure, a surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea, then uses a precise laser to remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue.

• For Nearsightedness: LASIK flattens the cornea by removing tissue from the center. This reduces the cornea’s curvature so light can focus directly on the retina, improving distance vision.

• For Farsightedness: LASIK steepens the cornea by removing tissue from the outer edges, increasing its central curvature to focus light more accurately on the retina for clearer close-up vision.

The Precision of LASIK

Advanced excimer lasers allow surgeons to tailor the reshaping of the cornea based on each patient’s specific prescription, making LASIK highly effective for correcting both myopia and hyperopia.

Is LASIK Right for You?

While LASIK works well for many people, candidacy depends on factors like eye health, corneal thickness, and vision stability. A consultation with an eye specialist is essential to determine if LASIK is the best option for your vision correction needs.