People have been dealing with vision issues for thousands of years. The earliest mention of a form of ophthalmology goes back to 2250 B.C. in Babylon. Another mention of the trade is in the Ebers papyrus from Egypt, which has nine pages dedicated to eye issues. 

Since then, the concepts of the discipline have since become more advanced and effective. Modern ophthalmology owes its growth to the work of an Austrian ophthalmologist, Georg Joseph Beer.

Today, most eye issues affecting people have been studied extensively and documented. The more we understand a body part and its common ailments, the better we can treat it. One aspect of vision we know more about is the most common issue affecting people: refractive errors. Several treatment options are available, but the most common and effective one is LASIK.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a popular type of laser eye surgery. Eye doctors use it to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The procedure involves using an excimer laser to reshape the cornea's surface, the eye's transparent outer layer. 

The primary intent is to change how light enters the eye and focuses on the retina. This can improve or correct vision problems, allowing people to see more clearly without needing glasses or contact lenses.

What Conditions Can LASIK Treat?

LASIK, as mentioned earlier, works for refractive errors. The success rate of the surgery is about 90 percent, which is high. If you get the surgery, the impact will depend mainly on your original prescription. If you had a high prescription, you might be required to use eyeglasses or contacts after the surgery. 

• LASIK for Myopia

Myopia is a condition that affects your distance vision. Objects tend to get blurry the further away they are from your face. The condition occurs when the eyeball elongates beyond the normal parameters, affecting the place of light focus in the eye. 

LASIK works to reshape the cornea in patients with myopia to improve the refraction of light. However, patients with high myopia are not ideal candidates for the procedure since the results may not be as great as expected. It requires patients with mild to moderate myopia for the best results. 

• LASIK for Hyperopia

Hyperopia is when objects become blurry as they get closer to your face. The condition occurs when you have an eyeball that is shorter than normal. It is the opposite of myopia. LASIK can help alleviate the symptoms of hyperopia by reshaping the cornea. 

While the cornea is too curved in myopia, it is usually too flat in hyperopia. Through LASIK, eye doctors change the shape of the cornea to allow light to fall on the retina instead of behind it. 

• LASIK for Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea's surface is irregularly shaped, causing blurry vision. The irregular shape makes it difficult for the eye to focus on light correctly. Through LASIK, an eye doctor can use a laser to reshape the cornea to make it more regular. The images that fall on your retina are clearer by reshaping the cornea.

To learn more about LASIK, call North Texas Ophthalmology Associates at (940) 240-8400 for our office in Wichita Falls, Texas.