Vision disorders
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Those who are nearsighted may have problems seeing well at a distance, and need glasses or contact lenses. The nearsighted eye is usually longer than a normal eye, and its cornea may also be steeper. Therefore, when light passes through the cornea and lens, it is focused in front of the retina. This will make distant images appear blurred.
Laser vision correction, glasses or contact lenses can correct most levels of nearsightedness.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Individuals who are farsighted typically develop problems reading up close before the age of 40. Many also develop blurred distance vision. The farsighted eye is usually slightly shorter than a normal eye and may have a flatter cornea. Thus, the light of distant objects focuses behind the retina unless the natural lens can compensate fully. Near objects require even greater focusing power to be seen clearly and, therefore, blur more easily.
Laser vision correction, glasses or contact lenses can correct most levels of farsightedness.
Astigmatism
If the steepening of the cornea or natural lens is not symmetrical, light can be focused unevenly. This condition is called astigmatism. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism is very common and can accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Most types of astigmatism can be corrected with laser vision correction. Glasses, contact lenses or corneal relaxing incisions can also be used to correct astigmatism.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a condition that typically becomes noticeable for most people around age 45. In children and young adults, the lens inside the eye can easily focus on distant and near objects. With age, the lens loses its ability to focus adequately on near objects. To compensate, affected individuals usually find that holding reading material further away makes the image clearer. Ultimately, aids such as reading glasses are typically needed by the mid-40s.
Besides wearing glasses, those with presbyopia may consider monovision laser vision correction or contact lenses.
Those who are nearsighted may have problems seeing well at a distance, and need glasses or contact lenses. The nearsighted eye is usually longer than a normal eye, and its cornea may also be steeper. Therefore, when light passes through the cornea and lens, it is focused in front of the retina. This will make distant images appear blurred.
Laser vision correction, glasses or contact lenses can correct most levels of nearsightedness.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Individuals who are farsighted typically develop problems reading up close before the age of 40. Many also develop blurred distance vision. The farsighted eye is usually slightly shorter than a normal eye and may have a flatter cornea. Thus, the light of distant objects focuses behind the retina unless the natural lens can compensate fully. Near objects require even greater focusing power to be seen clearly and, therefore, blur more easily.
Laser vision correction, glasses or contact lenses can correct most levels of farsightedness.
Astigmatism
If the steepening of the cornea or natural lens is not symmetrical, light can be focused unevenly. This condition is called astigmatism. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism is very common and can accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Most types of astigmatism can be corrected with laser vision correction. Glasses, contact lenses or corneal relaxing incisions can also be used to correct astigmatism.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a condition that typically becomes noticeable for most people around age 45. In children and young adults, the lens inside the eye can easily focus on distant and near objects. With age, the lens loses its ability to focus adequately on near objects. To compensate, affected individuals usually find that holding reading material further away makes the image clearer. Ultimately, aids such as reading glasses are typically needed by the mid-40s.
Besides wearing glasses, those with presbyopia may consider monovision laser vision correction or contact lenses.
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OUR LOCATION
The Northwestern Medicine LASIK team is located at 259 E. Erie St, Chicago, Illinois in Lavin Pavilion, Suite 1510. For more information, please visit our Contact Us page.
The Northwestern Medicine LASIK team is located at 259 E. Erie St, Chicago, Illinois in Lavin Pavilion, Suite 1510. For more information, please visit our Contact Us page.
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