If you’re like most people, you may need corrective lenses – either glasses or contacts – in order to achieve your best vision. Approximately 75% of adults in the United States use vision correction of some kind. Glasses and contact lenses are used to correct what’s known as refractive error. When light enters the eye, it should ideally be focused on a very specific point on the retina in order to create a clear image. If light is focused at a point in front of or behind the retina, the result is refractive error. There are several different types of refractive error including myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia. Near-sightedness is the most common type of refractive error in which objects in the distance are blurry, but objects up close are clear.
LASIK is a laser procedure that reshapes the cornea in order to correct refractive error. In individuals with no other eye problems, LASIK can mean freedom from glasses and contacts. By reshaping the cornea, our ophthalmologists can ensure that light focuses on the correct area of your retina to give you clear central vision. This procedure is particularly successful in adults who have a mild degree of myopia. Children under 18 may still experience changes in their degree of refractive error and are therefore encouraged to wait until their vision stabilizes before considering refractive surgeries such as LASIK.
If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts, contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment, our ophthalmologists will examine your eyes to see if LASIK is the right choice for you.