Short, Long, Astigmatism, Presby…What? – Yes Vision Correction is Possible

Shortsightedness (also called Myopia) Longsightedness (Hypermetropia/Hyperopia), Astigmatism and Presbyopia, can often be confusing for patients enquiring about Vision Correction. The question “Which one are you?” is often the first that is asked.

Myopia or Shortsigtedness usually means your eyes may be longer than normal or the cornea is steeper than normal – the eye focussing images in front of the retina without correction. Depending on the amount of shortsightedness a person has, people who are shortsighted normally have clearer vision up close and blurry distance vision.

Longsightedness or Hypermetropia/Hyperopia usually means your eyes may be shorter than normal or the cornea is flatter than normal – the eye focussing images behind the retina without correction. Depending on the amount of longsightedness a person has, people who are longsighted normally have clearer vision at distance and out of focus for near.

Astigmatism has to do with the shape of the cornea – simplified, the “normal” cornea is shaped like half a basketball however people with Astigmatism have corneas shaped more like a football – steeper in one direction and flatter in the other.

Presbyopia on the other hand usually affects those 40 and above, gradually losing the ability to read things at near without visual hardware. This is due to the Lens inside the eye losing its elasticity, thus becoming unable to foccus when things are at a close range.

Confusing as they may be, all these conditions can  be corrected with either Clear Lens Exchange or Laser Vision Correction, to reduce and sometimes even completely remove the need for visual hardware to attain clear vision.