Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness or hypermetropia, is an imperfection of vision caused by a defect in the eye (usually, when the eyeball is too short or when the lens isn’t round enough), causing inability to focus on near objects and in extreme cases causing an inability to focus on objects at any distance. As an object moves towards the eye, the eye must increase its power to keep the image on the retina. If the power of the cornea and lens is insufficient, like it happens in hyperopia, the image will appear blurred.
Depending upon the degree of hyperopia, symptoms can range from none to clear distance vision but blurry near vision, to blurry distance and near vision. Headaches and eyestrain are also frequent, especially when doing near tasks. An eye turned in (esotropia) may be a result of hyperopia, particularly in the case of children. Nonetheless, because a turned eye may be a result of more serious causes it is very important to have it checked as soon as possible by your doctor.
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear covering of the front of the eye) using an excimer laser. It is one of the most effective methods when it comes to treating hyperopia.
Hyperopia Surgery Prices
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The following are essential conditions for you to be an adequate candidate:
- Stable hyperopia under 6 diopters (hyperopia usually stabilizes when a person turns 16 or around that age).
- Absence of glaucoma and other eye conditions (your ophthalmologist will evaluate you during your initial consultation).
- Adequate corneal thickness (this measurement should always be performed using a pachymeter).
You must keep in mind that this procedure is not recommended when it comes to pregnant women.
During the surgery you will be resting on an operating bed specially designed for the excimer laser. Your doctor will use an operating microscope all the time since this is an integral component of the system; the microscope will be in front of you at all times and will continuously generate a bright light.
Your face will be covered with sterile drapes and oxygen will be provided under them. Make sure you don’t touch these drapes since they have been especially sterilized for the procedure. A small device will be used to hold your eyelids open.
As your surgeon proceeds with the initial cut using the microkeratome, you will feel some pressure in your eye. This is due to the suction ring needed to hold the device in place. As the microkeratome creates the flap it must pass directly in front of your eye. For this reason you will not see the light during this step of the procedure. At this point your ophthalmologist will ask you to look at a blinking light inside the laser. You must keep in mind that better results are obtained if you hold your head and eye completely still during the laser ablation.
Finally, your surgeon will put back into place the superficial layers of the cornea and the procedure will be completed. Throughout the whole surgery, you may occasionally feel cold water over your eye that may even go down your cheek. This is the solution needed to keep your eye properly hydrated.
Post-Op -After Surgery
It is important for you to avoid squeezing your eye for the first 5 days after surgery. Usually you will experience some ‘foreign body sensation’, similar to having an eyelash in your eye. No bandages are required so you will be able to walk out of the operating room by your own means even though your vision will be blurry for 2 or 3 days. Eye Drops will be prescribed for 2 to 3 weeks. Two weeks after surgery you will be able to perform any activity without risk.
The risks include ablation and flap problems. Ablation problems are usually correctable with the newer laser nomograms. Flap problems have traditionally been the most common type of problems experienced with LASIK surgery.
The most unwanted risk following LASIK treatment is infection which can be prevented by using antibiotic eye drops for a few days. Even so, you must remember that the risk of infection while using contact lenses is 20 times higher than that of a LASIK procedure.