The eye is much like a camera. In a camera, light passes through a lens system back onto the film. In your eye, the cornea and lens are at the front of the eye and are similar to a camera's lens system. The retina is located at the back of the eye and is similar to the camera's film. In a normal eye, light rays of an image pass through the cornea and the lens and are focused directly on the retina to produce a clear image.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

In a myopic eye, the light rays are passed through the cornea and lens but the point at which they focus is in front of the retina, not on the retina. This configuration allows clear images of near objects but not those that are far away. Non- surgical treatment options for myopia include glasses and contact lenses. Surgical treatment options include LASIK, LASEK, PRK and phakic IOL. While there are numerous surgical options available, not all individuals are good candidates for specific procedures. Patients should review options during their consultation with a physician prior to making any final decisions. (AAO copyright 2006)

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

In a hyperopic eye, the light rays do not focus by the time they reach the retina. Hyperopic patients can focus on more distant objects, but not images that are close at hand. Non-surgical treatment options include glasses and contact lenses. Surgical treatment options include LASIK, LASEK, PRK and phakic IOL. While there are numerous surgical options available, not all individuals are good candidates for specific procedures. Patients should review options during their consultation with a physician prior to making any final decisions. (AAO copyright 2006)

Astigmatism

With astigmatism, the rays of light do not converge into a single point but form a line on the retina. There are various types of astigmatism including regular, mixed, and irregular astigmatism. Currently, Excimer lasers in the US are approved for treatment of regular and mixed astigmatism. Recent advances in technology now allow for the therapeutic treatment of induced irregular astigmatism. In the future, this application may be expanded to include all types of irregular astigmatism. Patients who believe they have astigmatism should discuss this subject in further detail with their physician to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms in their case. (AAO copyright 2006)

Presbyopia

Presbyopia affects people as they enter their 40s. Caused by changes within the eye's crystalline lens as one ages, presbyopia affects everyone, and eventually everyone will need to wear reading glasses or bifocals. Presbyopia is not affected by the laser treatment. (AAO copyright 2006)S