Severe Nearsightedness (Myopia) and LASIK

    ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, December 01, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you regularly squint to read the street signs coming up when you are driving but have no problem reading the daily newspaper, you are likely nearsighted (myopia). You may already have eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. Nearsightedness results from a natural lengthening of the eyeball that causes blurry vision and makes objects at a distance harder to see. Mild to severe nearsightedness can be corrected with LASIK surgery.

How does LASIK surgery work on nearsightedness?

After cutting a thin flap on the cornea, LASIK surgeons use a cool laser to reshape the cornea. Performing surgery for nearsightedness will correct for the symptoms of poor distance vision and blurriness. The permanency of LASIK results is still being studied so it is harder to say how long improved vision will last, but you can expect it be at least several years if you maintain good eye health.

Still, LASIK has been approved by the FDA since 1995 and people have experienced lasting differences in vision. It has proved effective on mild to moderate nearsightedness but it is harder to predict the level of improvement seen on severe nearsightedness. Results are always greatly improved when you have an experienced LASIK eye surgeon perform the procedure.

Improvements to Vision

While it is true that the results of LASIK are more difficult to predict if you suffer from severe nearsightedness, around half of patients do experience 20/20 vision after surgery and almost all surgeries result in 20/40 vision. If your visual impairment was severe prior to LASIK, it is especially important to attend all follow-up appointments with your LASIK doctor. You will be scheduled the next day and incrementally throughout the coming months or year.

What is the procedure like?

LASIK is actually the most common vision correction surgery choice for nearsightedness. You will be sedated under a local anesthetic but remain awake during the procedure. The actual surgery will last about ten minutes and you will be able to leave the doctor's office the same day. It is best to wear eye protection following surgery and follow the guidance from your surgical team. Consult an experienced LASIK surgeon about whether your eyes make you a good candidate for surgery.

Please visit Doctors for Visual Freedom online for more information on severe nearsightedness (myopia) and LASIK at www.doctorsforvisualfreedom.com.

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