LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is performed to correct refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are vision conditions that cause your eyesight to be blurry at different distances because light entering your eyes is not able to land directly onto your retina (the back of your eye). Refractive errors can be minor or severe, but most people who have them need to wear glasses or contact lenses to go about life every day.

When glasses or contacts become too burdensome, it may be possible to have LASIK to improve your eyesight to 20/20 vision – or even better. It’s important to note that not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. It’s not only your refractive error but also your eye health and corneal thickness (the clear outer layer of your eye) that will be taken into consideration.

How Does LASIK Fix Refractive Errors?

The heart of LASIK is the excimer laser. It is this laser that is used to alter the shape of your cornea, depending on what type of refractive error you have.

• Nearsightedness: This is also called myopia. When you are nearsighted, your distance vision is blurry. This is because your cornea is steeper than normal. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a flatter shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.
• Farsightedness: This is also called hyperopia. If you are farsighted, your up-close vision is blurry. This is because your cornea is flatter than normal. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a rounder shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.
• Astigmatism: You can have astigmatism with or without nearsightedness or farsightedness. Astigmatism occurs if your cornea is oval shaped, like a football, rather than the ideal round shape. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a rounder shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.

As mentioned earlier, simply having a refractive error does not automatically mean you can get 20/20 vision after LASIK. A thorough exam by an experienced LASIK doctor is necessary to qualify you for the procedure. 

At Azul Vision, we offer free LASIK Consultations for anyone interested in LASIK. We will not pressure you to have the procedure – we’ll just give you honest information about your eye health and candidacy. You decide if you want to proceed. 

Find out if LASIK is right for you.

Schedule a Free LASIK Consultation today!