Laser Eye Correction Explained

The front surface of the eye (cornea) acts as a lens. With perfect sight, the image is brought into sharp focus on the back surface of the eye (retina). Vision problems occur when the image is not accurately focused on the back of the eye and vision is blurred.

The usual method for correcting eyesight problems and disorders is with glasses or contact lenses. Their power is measured in dioptres, according to the strength of a round (spherical) lens that enables the clearest possible vision.


Laser Correction for Short Sight (Myopia)
Short sight is hereditary and develops through the teens, affecting 20% of the population. If you are short-sighted, the focusing power of your eyes is too strong. Objects at a distance appear blurred and close up vision is clear.

Your glasses will make things look smaller when held at arms length (a negative power lens is thinner in the middle). The laser is set to reduce the thickness of the cornea in the central zone, reducing its focusing power. Images are then brought into correct focus. Laser eye correction treatment for Myopia is very simple and effective. Example of a short sight prescription:

Eye Sphere CYL AXIS
Right Eye -2.50 -0.50 120
Left Eye -2.50 -0.25 45

Please note: the dash or minus sign in the sphere (SPH)



Laser Correction for Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an unevenly shaped eyeball (like a rugby ball) and can be effectively treated by laser. About half of glasses wearers have this added problem.

When an astigmatic person looks at the spokes of a wheel, some spokes appear clearer than others. Because only parts of the image are correctly focused, distortion is caused at all distances. Astigmatism is shown on your glasses prescription in the box marked CYL and is measured by the strength of a cylindrical lens needed to achieve best vision.

AXIS shows the angle at which astigmatism lies across the eye. The laser is set to remove more tissue in the line of astigmatism. Laser eye correction treatment is given immediately after short/long sight treatment, without additional charge. Example of an astigmatic prescription:

Eye Sphere CYL AXIS
Right Eye -3.50 -1.50 120
Left Eye -4.00 +2.25 60

Please note: CYL can be measured as plus (+) or minus (-)


Laser Correction for Long Sight (Hyperopia)
If you are long-sighted, the focusing power of your eyes are too weak. You will be able to view objects more comfortably at a distance than close up (less than six feet).

If your glasses magnify print, you are long-sighted. In severe cases vision is not clear at any distance. Treatment is still considered experimental by many ophthalmic surgeons. Optimax offers long sight laser treatment only to those who are alerted to the risks and have moderate expectations. Example of a long sight prescription:

Eye Sphere CYL AXIS
Right Eye +2.00 -0.50 120
Left Eye +2.50 -0.25 45

Please note: the plus (+) sign for the sphere (SPH)




Reading Glasses (Presbyopia)
There is currently no laser vision correction treatment to eliminate the need for reading glasses. This need is not due to long sight or short sight it is the inability to focus close up when the eye muscles get older, after middle age.

Short-sighted people can remove their glasses for close up work. Long-sighted people will need reading glasses earlier in life. As with all normal-sighted people, treated patients will still require reading glasses from the age of about 45.