How LASIK Helps Normal Vision
People who have a refraction error in their vision experience problems focusing due to issues with the shape of their cornea in their eye, which then refracts light in a way that the brain cannot interpret the signals well through the optic nerve. Refraction errors include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (change to the shape of the eye), and presbyopia (farsightedness specifically due to aging). One of the many procedures that can fix these refraction errors and help people live without glasses or contact lenses is LASIK.
Since LASIK is a recognizable name for a refractive surgery, one of the simplest to perform, and one of the most useful with good long-term results, this is most likely the procedure you will be referred to if you ask about vision-correcting surgical procedures. Between 90 and 95 percent of laser vision correction is done with the LASIK procedure.
The Goal of LASIK Is Clear Vision
When you ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist about LASIK, know that the goal is to get normal vision, which is defined as 20/20 when dealing with refraction errors like astigmatism or presbyopia. LASIK will not treat other issues that lead to vision problems, like health issues from diabetes, glaucoma, optic nerve damage, or other illnesses or injuries.
Make sure to get a full eye exam to know exactly how and why you struggle with vision issues, so you can know how to approach these problems with medical help. That medical help may include LASIK to get you back to normal 20/20 vision.
This post originally appeared on N Vision.