Squint your eyes and try and read a sign from 10 feet out. Chances are, you will have a tough time with it. This, unfortunately, is the reality for many Americans who suffer from some sort of vision impairment. While all vision disorders vary in terms of intensity, not all will be able to be corrected with surgery. Experts of LASIK in Los Angeles will need to give you a proper exam to see if you qualify for some sort of corrective surgery. Let’s go over some of the more common corrected impairments.
LASIK surgery is usually performed to correct one of three disorders: Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism. Myopia is more commonly known as nearsightedness. As the name suggests, this disorder makes your vision up close much clearer, while your vision farther away blurs to some degree. This happens when the shape of your eye doesn’t allow light to focus on your retina properly. It instead focuses the light to the front of your retina, blurring your vision. While anyone could be at risk for myopia, those with family members who have it are at a higher risk.
Hyperopia is generally considered the complete opposite of myopia, known as farsightedness. Vision for those with hyperopia blurs when viewing objects up close, but clears when viewing things afar. In contrast to myopia, it occurs when light focuses behind the retina, usually due to an irregularly shaped eyeball. Both of these disorders share many of the same symptoms, such as blurred vision, headaches, double vision, and eye strain. The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles state, however, that children with hyperopia could be at risk for developing other eye problems, such as crossed eyes. Like myopia, your risk of being farsighted increases if you have family members with this disorder.
While Astigmatism shares similarities with myopia and hyperopia, it should be considered a different disorder altogether. Like the previous two, astigmatism occurs when the shape of the eyeball is irregular. However, it differs in that it can affect vision both near and far, with varying degrees of severity. LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles suggest getting regular eye exams, especially for children, as those who have astigmatism may not know it since the effects can be almost unnoticeable.
All three of these disorders can be corrected using LASIK surgery. However, it is important to know that not everyone is a perfect candidate for LASIK. There are several factors that LASIK experts in Los Angeles will need to consider before deciding if you are a good candidate for corrective surgery. These include the health of your eyes, your overall health, and whether or not your disorder is severe enough to go through with the procedure. Talking to a professional is always the first step when considering such a step, but also consider if you wish to pay for such a treatment, as insurance companies tend to not cover LASIK. Whenever you feel ready to take the plunge, make sure to call the experts at Excel Laser Vision Institute, who will be able to guide you every step of the way.