Wearing glasses or contact lenses is an unwelcome necessity of life for over 100 million Americans who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. In many cases, these conditions can be treated thanks to new advances in laser vision correction. A description of these common refractive disorders is provided below.

Normal Vision
In a normal eye, light entering the eye is refracted (bent) by the eye’s cornea and then by the eye’s natural lens so that it focuses precisely on the retina. The retina is the sensitive tissue on the back of the eye that converts light images into electrical impulses and sends them through the optic nerve to the brain. If the light rays are not focused precisely on the retina, the result is poor vision due to a refractive error.

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common focusing problem and affects over 25% of all Americans. Nearsightedness occurs when the eye’s cornea is shaped too steeply or the eye is too long. This causes incoming light rays to refract to a focal point in front of the retina instead of the precisely on the retina. When this occurs, distant objects are out of focus, while things that are close up appear more clearly.

Farsightedness

Farsightedness (hyperopia) occurs when the cornea is too flat, or the eye is too short. This causes light rays to be refracted to a focal point behind the retina, which results in close objects being out of focus while distant objects are somewhat clear. However, the effects of farsightedness vary with age. Young people may be able to see distant objects clearly, but later in life the eye loses flexibility and farsightedness can affect the entire focal range.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism affects both near and distant vision and occurs when the eye’s cornea has multiple curvatures. Instead of being spherical (round) like a normal cornea, the astigmatic cornea is shaped more like a football. Incoming light is scattered to many different focal points and cannot be clearly focused. Large amounts of astigmatism are usually inherited, present at birth and frequently remain unchanged throughout life. Small amounts of astigmatism can be acquired any time in life and are, in fact, very common. It often does not require correction.

MCG Eye Care Associates – the right option for you.
Find out if laser vision correction is the right option for you. Contact MCG Eye Care Associates at (706) 651-1291 or (800) 736-CARE (2273).

Eye Care One SuperVision Center
3152 Washington Road
Augusta, GA 30909
706-651-1291

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