Are you tired of the daily hassle of glasses or contacts just to see things clearly? Do you find yourself squinting to read a book, or struggling to focus on objects close to you? If so, you may be part of the population living with hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness. Farsightedness can significantly affect your quality of life, but with modern technology, there are solutions available. One such solution is LASIK surgery. This blog will delve into the world of LASIK for farsightedness, shedding light on how this state-of-the-art procedure can help you regain the visual clarity you’ve been longing for.
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Can Farsightedness Be Corrected With LASIK?
Yes, farsightedness, or hyperopia, can indeed be corrected with LASIK surgery. LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery that can correct common vision problems. That includes nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.
For farsighted individuals, the cornea is too flat or the eye is too short, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it. This results in nearby objects appearing blurry. During LASIK surgery, a laser is used to remove a small amount of tissue from the cornea to make it steeper, helping to redirect the light to focus properly on the retina.
However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. And not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Factors such as age, overall health, eye health, the severity of hyperopia, and even lifestyle can impact whether LASIK is a suitable and effective treatment option. Thus, always consult with an eye care professional to understand all your options and to decide what’s best for you.
How Does LASIK For Farsightedness Work?
LASIK surgery for farsightedness, or hyperopia, works by reshaping the cornea so that light entering the eye can be properly focused onto the retina. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how the procedure generally works:
- Preparation: Prior to the procedure, anesthetic eye drops are administered to numb the eye. And a device is used to hold the eyelids open.
- Flap Creation: The surgeon uses a microkeratome (a precise surgical instrument) or a femtosecond laser to create a thin, circular “flap” in the cornea.
- Reshaping the Cornea: The surgeon then lifts this flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue and uses an excimer laser to remove some of this tissue. The laser used in LASIK emits a cool ultraviolet light beam that precisely removes a tiny amount of corneal tissue — usually less than the thickness of a human hair. For farsighted patients, the cornea is made steeper to allow light to focus on the retina correctly.
- Flap Repositioning: Once the cornea has been reshaped, the surgeon repositions the corneal flap. That naturally adheres to the cornea without the need for stitches.
- Recovery: The recovery period is typically quick. Some patients experience improved vision within a day, while for others it may take several weeks. Patients are typically advised to avoid certain activities for a period after surgery to allow the eye to heal properly.
Keep in mind that while LASIK surgery has a high success rate, the procedure may not be suitable for everyone. The suitability of LASIK and the expected outcome depend on several factors.
When Is LASIK Not Recommended?
LASIK surgery is not recommended or may not be suitable for certain individuals based on various health, lifestyle, and age factors. Some of these include:
- Certain Eye Conditions: People with certain conditions like keratoconus, glaucoma, dry eyes, or other eye diseases may not be good candidates for LASIK. Those with severe nearsightedness, or high myopia, may also not be ideal candidates.
- Corneal Thickness: Individuals with thin corneas may not be suitable candidates for LASIK, as the procedure involves the removal of a small amount of corneal tissue. In such cases, other procedures such as PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) or LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) may be more appropriate.
- Pregnancy/Nursing: Hormonal changes during pregnancy or nursing can affect the stability of your prescription. It’s generally recommended to wait until hormones and vision have stabilized post-pregnancy or nursing before undergoing LASIK.
- Age: The FDA has approved LASIK for individuals 18 years and older. However, many professionals prefer to wait until the mid-20s when prescription changes have generally stabilized. Additionally, older individuals with signs of cataracts may want to consider cataract surgery instead of LASIK.
- Health Conditions: Certain systemic diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or immunodeficiency conditions. All can affect healing after surgery and may disqualify someone from being a good candidate for LASIK.
- Stable Prescription: If your eyeglass or contact lens prescription is still changing significantly year over year. Then, you may be advised to wait until it stabilizes.
- Dry Eyes: If you suffer from dry eyes, LASIK surgery may exacerbate the condition.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of LASIK For Farsightedness?
LASIK surgery for farsightedness, or hyperopia, has several pros and cons that should be considered before making a decision.
Pros
- Improved Vision: LASIK surgery has a high success rate, with most patients achieving 20/40 vision or better. Many achieve 20/20 vision or better.
- Quick Recovery: The procedure is typically fast, often taking less than 30 minutes, and recovery times are generally quick. Most people can return to work and normal activities within a few days.
- Long-lasting Results: Once the eye has healed and the vision has stabilized. Then, the results of LASIK surgery are typically permanent.
- Reduced Dependence on Glasses or Contacts: Many people who undergo LASIK find that they no longer need glasses or contact lenses for most if not all, activities.
Cons
- Not Suitable for Everyone: Some people are not good candidates for LASIK due to several factors.
- Possible Side Effects: Some patients may experience temporary side effects like dry eyes, glare, halos around lights, and difficulty driving at night.
- Risk of Complications: As with any surgery, there are risks involved. These may include infection, excessive corneal haze, under-correction or overcorrection, and in rare cases, loss of vision.
- Cost: LASIK can be expensive, and it is often not covered by insurance because it’s considered an elective procedure.
It’s crucial to consult with an eye care professional before deciding to proceed with LASIK. They can help you weigh the pros and cons, and discuss potential risks and complications. And will determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
What Is The Success Rate Of LASIK For Farsightedness?
As of the recent cutoff in September 2021, LASIK surgery has a generally high success rate, with the majority of patients achieving significantly improved vision. However, it’s important to note that the success of LASIK varies depending on the individual’s specific visual issues and overall eye health.
For patients with mild to moderate hyperopia (farsightedness), LASIK has been shown to be very effective. And, most studies show that about 90-95% of patients achieve at least 20/40 vision. Thus, a significant percentage achieve 20/20 or better.
However, for patients with severe hyperopia, the results can be less predictable. While many of these patients still see a substantial improvement in their vision, they may not achieve the same level of clarity as those with milder prescriptions, and may still need to use glasses or contacts for certain tasks.
It’s also worth noting that as patients age, they may still develop presbyopia – the age-related loss of near vision. So, they may require reading glasses.
As with any medical procedure, results can vary based on a wide range of factors. So it’s important to have a thorough consultation with an eye care professional to understand the potential benefits and risks. As new studies and technological advancements occur, the statistics may also evolve, so please refer to professional advice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LASIK for farsightedness is an innovative procedure that offers a way for many people to experience significantly improved vision. It has a high success rate, and the majority of patients achieve better visual clarity. However, it’s crucial to remember that LASIK isn’t suitable for everyone. The procedure involves risks and potential side effects, and not everyone is an ideal candidate.
If you’re considering LASIK, the first step is to consult with an eye care professional. They can provide a comprehensive eye examination, and discuss the potential risks and benefits in detail. Remember, eye health is a vital part of overall well-being, and every decision related to it deserves careful consideration.
Generally, LASIK eye surgery is a safe 10-minute procedure to help you get rid of glasses. EyeMantra offers the most advanced LASIK options including PRK, Femto Lasik, SMILE surgery, Standard lasik, ICL and Contoura vision. If you have any questions on Lasik surgery in Delhi, Lasik surgery cost and Lasik procedure, call us at 9711116605 or email at [email protected].
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