Nearsightedness, clinically known as myopia, affects a staggering 41 percent of all Americans, according to a 2009 study conducted by the National Eye Institute. This represents a rise of 16 percent compared to the percentage of Americans who were nearsighted in the 1970s, suggesting that the core audience for custom LASIK surgery is growing rather than remaining stable or shrinking.

At Broberg Eye Care in Austin, LASIK for nearsightedness has allowed thousands of patients to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contact lenses to see clearly at intermediate and far distances. With modern technological breakthroughs such as wavefront mapping systems and the blade-free IntraLase® laser platform, correcting myopia through LASIK surgery is a safer, more dependable process than ever before.

Are you a good candidate for LASIK for nearsightedness? The only sure way to find out is to meet with one of the experienced, skilled eye care professionals of Broberg Eye Care. Until then, here are just a few of the facts that you should know about LASIK for nearsightedness.

What is nearsightedness?

In general, nearsightedness is caused by:

  • An eyeball that is too long relative to the focusing power of the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye
  • A cornea that is too curved relative to the length of the eyeball
  • A combination of these two factors

The faulty spatial relation between the cornea and eyeball results in light not being focused properly on the retina, which in turn results in distant objects appearing blurred. The purpose of LASIK surgery for nearsightedness is to refine the shape of the cornea so that light can properly focus on the retina, and objects in the distance will once again appear clear and crisp without glasses or contact lenses.

Traditional vs. Custom LASIK for Nearsightedness

Some people mistakenly believe that “20/20” vision equates “perfect” vision. While it is true that nearsighted individuals can achieve 20/20 vision with traditional glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK surgery, “perfect” vision is unlikely.

This is because most corneas are affected by two types of flaws: lower order aberrations and higher order aberrations. Lower order aberrations are the universal flaws that can easily be detected through conventional optometric exams, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These errors have been correctable to various degrees for centuries.

Higher order aberrations, however, are tiny flaws in the shape of the cornea that are unique to each eye. These flaws are only detectable through advanced wavefront mapping technology. By creating a wavefront map of each eye, our eye surgeons are able to identify even the smallest errors. These maps are then used to guide the excimer laser in reshaping the cornea, resulting in a truly customized LASIK procedure. In this way, patients emerge not only able to see objects at a distance, but to see them with dramatically improved clarity, crispness, and vividness.

Learn More about LASIK for Nearsightedness

If you are nearsighted and would like to discover whether you are a good candidate for LASIK, we encourage you to contact Broberg Eye Care today.