Can LASIK Eye Surgery Correct Farsightedness?

If you have farsightedness, you may sometimes wish there was an alternative for contacts and glasses. Many patients at Swagel Wootton Eye Institute wonder if LASIK surgery can fix farsightedness, and the answer is Yes! Find out more about LASIK and farsightedness from the top eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler.

What is Farsightedness vs. Nearsightedness?

The medical term for farsightedness is hyperopia. When you are farsighted, objects farther away are clearer than objects close to you. Nearsightedness is called myopia. If you have nearsightedness, objects up close are clearer than those far away. These conditions develop due to the way your eye focuses light.

Is LASIK Good for Farsightedness?

LASIK surgery cannot add anything to the cornea to increase thickness. During laser surgery, the surgeon sculps or removes parts of the cornea to help create clearer vision. This works well for myopia because this condition creates a cornea that is too steep for clear vision. To increase clarity, the surgeon reshapes the cornea.

However, hyperopic LASIK requires the opposite. The cornea is too flat, and the surgeon must make it steeper to correct hyperopia. With modern lasers, doctors are able to smooth down the periphery to steepen the cornea. This makes LASIK a viable vision correction opportunity for more people than ever before.

LASIK eye surgery may not be a great option for those with severe hyperopia, other eye health issues or thin corneas. We may be able to recommend PRK or other types of laser surgery for your specific condition.

Can LASIK Correct for Nearsightedness and Farsightedness at the Same Time?

With monovision LASIK surgery, the surgeon adjusts one eye for near vision and the other for far vision. If you already wear monovision contacts or glasses, you are already familiar with this concept.

Once you reach a certain age, your farsightedness maybe combined with age related vision decline that requires you to wear readers. Monovision lessens your dependence on reading glasses for close tasks.

It sometimes takes a few weeks for the brain to adapt after the procedure. When you have both eyes open, the brain blends the image to correct for distance. This works well for many patients over age 40. So, if you want clear near and far vision, ask your eye doctor if you are a good candidate for monovision laser surgery.

What Age is Ideal for LASIK?

The FDA has approved LASIK surgery for patients 18 and above. The ideal age for LASIK surgery in Arizona is 19-40. That is when you experience your best eye health. However, LASIK is also safe for those in their 50s and 60s with stable prescriptions and good eye health.

Do you still have questions about LASIK and farsightedness? Contact the top eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler to set up a consultation today. At Swagel Wootton Eye Institute, we offer comprehensive vision services for your entire family.