News About Laser Vision Correction

FDA APPROVES TREATMENT OF FARSIGHTEDNESS (HYPEROPIA)

The FDA recently approved laser vision correction for farsightedness or hyperopia. Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia (nearsightedness) in that the curvature of the cornea is too flat, so the laser is used to remove a ring of tissue like a doughnut leaving a steeper section in the middle.

FARSIGHTEDNESS
There are three common conditions that affect the eye. They are nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and aging of the eye (presbyopia).

For hyperopia, LASIK works better than PRK, because there appears to be less regression with LASIK. Numerous studies have shown the beneficial effect of the laser is gradually lost when PRK is used to treat hyperopia, whereas it preserved when LASIK is used.

First a protective flap is created on the outer surface of the eye, the laser is used to remove a ring of tissue like a doughnut leaving a steeper section in the middle. The flap is repositioned, and the magic of LASIK is the flap seals itself and adheres in place within a few minutes. No sutures are used.

The methodology, and complications are the same for the treatment of hyperopia as they are for myopia. However, the success rate with hyperopia is not quite as good as with myopia because it is easier to flatten the cornea of the eye than it is to steepen it. Still, 95 percent of hyperopic patients can expect to see well enough to drive with the naked eye after laser vision correction.

To qualify for laser treatment of farsightedness, patients must be at least 21 years of age with between 1 and 6 units of hyperopia. There should also be little or no astigmatism.

In summary, laser vision correction now offers farsighted patients the opportunity to see near objects well, and the freedom to be much less dependent on glasses and contact lenses. In addition, patients should be aware that there are other treatments that are currently under investigation which also may be effective in treating hyperopia (farsightedness) and still other treatments that are under investigation to treat presbyopia (aging of the eye). Our ophthalmologist and staff are staying abreast of these developments and will make them available to their patients as soon as they have proven to be effective and are authorized for treatment of patients in the United States. .

(361) 993-9000 Precision Eye Laser Center, Ltd. 5756 S. Staples #A2 Corpus Christi, TX 78413

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