CONFUSED ABOUT LASIK AND READING VISION CORRECTION?

There is a common misconception that vision correction surgery, LASIK (Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis), LTK (Laser Thermo Keratoplasty), and CK (Conductive Keratoplasty), correct reading vision. Problems with reading (near vision) occur in everyone around the age of 40-45. This condition is called presbyopia.

For most individuals under 40, the eye’s natural lens has the flexibility to change its focusing power to accommodate for a change in an object’s position from far to near. Presbyopia is caused by the inability of the natural lens of the eye to change its shape. The lens becomes more rigid with age and therefore unable to change its focusing power. All objects within a one to three foot range become out of focus, necessitating the need for reading glasses. Only people under the age of 40 or individuals who are nearsighted have the capability of reading without the use of glasses.

The LASIK procedure has the capability of correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) can correct farsightedness, which can reduce the effort of focusing at near, but not the condition of presbyopia.

For adults over the age of 40 who wish to be able to see both near and far without glasses, monovision may be an option. Monovision is a condition that the surgeon creates with LASIK by correcting one eye for distance focusing and the other eye for near focusing. The nearsighted eye allows an individual to read.  However, this condition is not a good option for most individuals. Both eyes are never in focus together for any given object near or far. Only 30% of individuals are able to tolerate the optical difference between both eyes. It is important to have a trial period with contact lenses to ensure that this type of correction would work prior to being treated surgically.

If you have been considering laser vision correction it is best to be examined by a refractive surgeon who will provide individualized treatment. This is the best way to ensure that you will obtain the visual result you expect from laser vision correction.

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