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Focus on Life
Our eyes are our windows to the world. Outstanding eyesight enables us to perceive our surroundings and experience life to its fullest. Of all the senses, sight is most important.
If we have vision problems, they directly impact our quality of life: whether we try to read a blurry alarm clock each morning or must wear contact lenses. Refractive surgery can eliminate these problems and provide us with better vision, freeing us to enjoy a more energetic and active lifestyle.
The Human Eye
In a normal-sighted human eye, incoming rays of light travel through the cornea and the lens before forming a sharp focus point on the retina. Neural receptors then translate the incoming signals into electronic impulses and transit them through the visual nerve to the brain. The brain then translates these impulses into an image that we interpret as vision. In this way, our eye acts similar to a photo camera with the image being developed in our brain.
Visual Defects (Ametropia)
In a normal-sighted (emmetropic) eye, the cornea and lens are exactly matched to the length of the eye. In many eyes however, this is not the case and the focus point of incoming rays of light is no longer on the retina.
Nearsightedness (myopia): The eye is nearsighted if we are unable to see distant objects clearly. In the case of myopia the eye is too long, so that rays of light intersect in front of the retina. This results in blurred images. (see Diagram 1)
Farsightedness (hyperopia): Farsighted people have trouble seeing close objects or performing close-up activities like reading. Their eyes are too short so that the rays of light actually intersect behind the retina. As a result, near objects cannot be seen clearly. (see Diagram 2 )
Astigmatism: Near- and farsighted eyes can also have an astigmatism. In this case the cornea is not shaped perfectly round, but rather like a rugby ball. Rays of light are, therefore, bent in different directions and do not form a sharp focus point anywhere. As a result, images appear distorted. (see Diagram 3 )
Presbyopia:
In addition, many people suffer from age related farsightedness (presbyopia) as they get older and require reading glasses or bifocal lenses. This problem occurs because the natural lens in the eye slowly stiffens as it matures and thus loses its ability to accommodate. Presbyopia is not caused by a change in eye length. Therefore, a laser treatment can only provide limited help. If your eyes are presbyopic, ask your physician about possible treatments that can improve your sight.