The eye is a very complex organ in the body and its primary responsibility is focusing light and processing images. For the eye to achieve good vision, the light rays entering the eyes should fall on the right regions of the retina. The cornea located at the front of the eye is engaged with activities that support image focusing and letting in optimum light quantities to support vision. The lens, in turn, optimizes the light entering through it and only reflects that much light that is required to produce vision.
How does the doctor prescribe an eye treatment plan based on a vision problem?
Diopters are the metric system that is used to measure the degree of an eye problem. A diopter measures the refractive index of light entering the eye. The power of glasses worn by patients is expressed as negative or positive depending on whether the patient has near or farsightedness.
Myopia: In this condition, the patient can see objects near to them more clearly than objects at a distant. Therefore, anyone who can’t see distant objects is said to be myopic. Myopia can affect anyone at any age, but it generally occurs in mid-aged and senior patients. This condition happens when the eye becomes too elongated relative to the corneal curvature. This causes light rays entering the eye to drop their focal lengths in front of the retina. The effects of this phenomenon are generally blurred images and visual distortions. A patient with a reading in excess of -6.00 is said to have severe myopia.
Hyperopia: This condition happens when the length of the eye is not long enough relative to the corneal objects. These patients can see objects near to them only by straining their eyes. They do this so as to bend their eye lenses to achieve the right refractive index so as to enable a clearer vision. Constant squinting of the eyes causes stress and headaches. A diopter reading excess of +4.00 is classified as severe hyperopia.
Astigmatism: This condition is caused due to the irregular shape of the cornea. This condition produces tilting of images and general vision distortion. Patients with myopia or hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism. Laser eye surgery such as LASIK from premier eye clinics such as Houston LASIK & Eye in Houston can correct this problem. A diopter reading in excess of 2.00 is classified as severe astigmatism.
Presbyopia: This eye condition is caused as a result of aging. The lens loses its elasticity and becomes inflexible to change focus as per the focal requirements to view objects. With age, it becomes difficult to read small letters or fine print.
Conclusion
The aforementioned eye conditions are the most common vision problems that patients experience. Patients are advised to visit a qualified eye surgeon experience in LASIK technologies to get a quality medical consultation.
Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Houston LASIK & Eye. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
