The terms nearsightedness and farsightedness seem self-explanatory but do you really know what they mean? Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common eye condition caused when light coming into the eye doesn’t focus the right way on to the retina, so that it’s hard to see objects in the distance. But people aren’t always born this way. Over time, the eye can become elongated. Farsightedness, as you might expect, is the opposite. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, usually happens when the eye is too “short”.

Astigmatism, which causes overall blurry vision, is another condition that can occur with both nearsightedness and farsightedness. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the common treatments for these conditions. In recent years, Excimer Laser Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK have helped hundreds of thousands of people correct these conditions. In the past, some patients with astigmatism couldn’t be treated with laser eye surgery but advancements in technology have made it possible to successfully treat this condition.

Unlike farsightedness, which is usually a genetic condition, some cases of nearsightedness are caused by prolonged and continuous eyestrain. So make sure to take breaks from computer use and long periods of up-close eye work. Whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted, we can help you. Schedule a free consultation to find out if LASIK is right for you.