If you feel it’s getting more and more challenging to focus on words when you are reading a page, you are getting headaches after reading for long stretches of time, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors are here to let you know that you’re probably feeling the effects of age and you’re beginning to lose your reading vision.
Throughout the years, the eyes lose their muscular strength, making it more difficult to focus at close distances. The best laser eye surgery doctors in Orange County call this condition presbyopia. It’s an age-related refractive condition that develops in the loss of focus up close. The eye’s lens becomes less flexible, and it usually means that you’ll require eyeglasses to read.
Presbyopia can happen in individuals who in any other way have good vision, but it can also come about in people who are already affected by other optical conditions such as hyperopia, astigmatism, and myopia. Fortunately, there are vision correction treatments at Excel laser Vision Institute which can assist in correcting this very common problem.
What Are The Symptoms Of Presbyopia?
The LASIK Orange County eye doctors tell us that there are several common symptoms that people with presbyopia suffer from. So, if the following problems sound like something you’re going through, then you may have to think about your options, or book a consultation at Excel Laser Vision Institute to find out how we can assist.
Problems focusing on objects that are closeby
Suffering from headaches or eye pains when doing work close-up or reading.
Experiencing fatigue when focusing for long periods of time
Depending on brighter or increased lighting
You have to hold cell phones, books, and other reading materials at arm’s length to correctly focus on them
When presbyopia begins, it usually happens from the age of 40 and becomes more apparent after that. When a person reaches the age of 60, many individuals will have lost the elasticity in the lens that lets them focus on objects close up.
Can Reading Vision Be Enhanced?
When you come for your free consultation, the LASIK Orange County eye doctors will let you know about all your options. However, the most common option for individuals with reading vision issues is to wear reading glasses. These types of glasses are usually specially designed to help the lens focus at short distances.
Since reading glasses are only required for short distances, they can be slightly annoying. Some people place them on a chain around their necks so they can conveniently get to them. While others carry them around in a case. However, having to always put them on and take them off just to read a recipe or an article in the paper can get on a person’s nerves. This is when LASIK eye surgery swoops in and saves the day!
Do You Want To Get Laser Eye Surgery For Reading?
Due to advancements in technology and surgical procedures, there are currently many alternatives available that provide a more permanent solution to reading vision issues.
Laser eye surgery is very well known as a successful treatment for correcting reading vision. With the help of a precision laser, your eye surgeon will reshape your cornea to correct any vision impairments you may have.
There are several different laser eye procedures to treat presbyopia which include:
Conductive keratoplasty
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Conductive keratoplasty
This is when your eye surgeon uses radiofrequency energy to apply heat to very small spots around the cornea. The heat makes the edge of the cornea to slightly get smaller, increasing its curve (steepness) and focusing ability. The outcome of conductive keratoplasty is different for everyone and might not last long.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
This procedure involves the eye surgeon to cut a thin, hinged flap away from the front of the eye. Then the surgeon uses a laser to take off inner layers of your cornea to steepen its domed shape. LASIK recovery time is fast and less painful than other corneal surgeries.
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK)
The eye surgeon makes a very thin flap just inside the cornea’s outer protective cover, also known as the (epithelium). Then the surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s outer layers, steepening its curve, and lastly replaces the epithelium.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Similar to LASEK, but in PRK the surgeon completely removes the epithelium, then uses the laser to reshape the cornea. The eye surgeon doesn’t replace the epithelium because it will grow back naturally, adjusting to the cornea’s new shape.
Besides laser eye treatments there are these options.
Lens Implants
Some eye doctors use a procedure that involves removing the lens in each eye and replacing it with a synthetic lens. This is known as an intraocular lens.
Many types of lens implants are available for correcting presbyopia. Also, there are lens implants that let you see things near as well as far. There are some that change position or shape within the eye (accommodative lens). However, lens implants can result in a decrease in the quality of a person’s near vision, and you may still require reading glasses.
Your eye doctor will inform you of the possible side effects such as blurring and glare. Plus, this surgery has the same risks that are linked to cataract surgery, which are infection, bleeding, inflammation, and glaucoma.
Corneal inlays
You could be one of those individuals who have huge success with a presbyopia treatment that consists of inserting a small plastic ring with a central opening into the cornea of one eye. The opening behaves similar to a pinhole camera and lets light focus inwards so the person can see close objects. If for any reason you don’t like the results of your corneal inlay procedure, your LASIK Orange County eye surgeon can take out the rings, and you can go forward with another treatment option.
If you want to learn more about Presbyopia, get in touch with the Eye laser Vision institute at (310) 905-8622.
