What Does LASIK Eye Surgery Fix?

What does LASIK eye surgery fix? Refractive errors. Is LASIK a good fit for you? That depends on the cause and severity of your vision difficulties.

Refractive errors are the most common reason for people to wear eyeglasses and contact lenses. These errors occur when the shape of the eye causes light to refract onto the retina at an odd angle, impacting clear vision. While different types of refractive errors—each with unique symptoms— can impact vision, symptoms that may indicate vision problems include:

• Blurry or hazy vision
• Double vision
• Difficulties focusing
• Eye strain
• Squinting to see
• Frequent headaches

Glasses and contacts correct refractive errors by placing a physical device over (or onto) the eyes to temporarily redirect light onto the retina. However, these “fixes” end as soon as the devices (glasses or contacts) are removed, making them more of a band-aid than a long-term solution. The most effective way to reduce your dependence on prescription eyewear when you have a refractive error is through a vision correction surgery like LASIK.

The team of vision correction specialists at 20/20 Institute has been helping people in Denver and throughout Colorado find increased freedom from eyeglasses and contact lenses through custom LASIK procedures for more than 20 years. If you are looking for a lasting fix for your vision problems, we’d love to help.

Call us at 303-202-0669 today to schedule your FREE LASIK consultation and learn if LASIK eye surgery can help you see the world with renewed clarity.

Which Refractive Errors Does LASIK Eye Surgery Fix?

LASIK eye surgery has been specifically designed to correct:

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eye itself is too long. It causes light to focus on the front of the retina rather than directly onto it. This means that nearby objects look clear, while those further away appear blurry.

Myopia is the most common refractive error. It affects people of all ages, impacting things as diverse as school performance, driving, and watching television, and often makes glasses or contact lenses necessary for basic everyday activities.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

The opposite of myopia, hyperopia occurs when the eye is either too flat or too short. It causes light to focus behind the retina instead of directly onto it. People with hyperopia often see distant objects more clearly, while those nearby may appear blurry or out of focus.

Hyperopia affects people of all ages. It can interfere with close-up work like reading, sewing, and manufacturing, result in eye strain, headaches, and squinting, and impact daily comfort without the assistance of eyeglasses or contacts.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when you have a football-shaped cornea instead of a round one. Instead of focusing light onto a single point, astigmatism creates multiple focal points on the retina. This causes light to scatter, resulting in blurry or distorted vision at all distances.

Astigmatism can make it difficult to see details—whether you’re reading or looking into the distance—and can lead to headaches, eyestrain, and more when uncorrected. It impacts people of all ages and, similar to all refractive errors, can develop later in life.

Does LASIK Eye Surgery Fix Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is age-related near-vision loss. Similar to hyperopia (though not the same as being farsighted), presbyopia can make it more difficult to read, use devices like cell phones, or engage in fine detail work. For many people, it will result in an increased need for reading glasses or other forms of magnification that can provide temporary assistance.

For people looking for something less cumbersome than reading glasses, monovision LASIK offers a fantastic solution. With monovision LASIK, one eye is corrected for distance vision while the other is corrected for near vision. This approach can significantly reduce the need for reading glasses and help improve both near and far vision for years to come.

Will LASIK Eliminate My Need for Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses?

One of the most pressing questions patients have is whether LASIK will mean a complete break from glasses or contacts. Indeed, LASIK can make glasses or contacts unnecessary, but not everyone will find a lifetime of freedom from prescription eyewear after LASIK. While LASIK offers an opportunity to experience clearer vision and reduced reliance on corrective lenses, it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Having said that, we have some very good news: 99.67% of our patients have achieved 20/20 vision OR BETTER through LASIK. Our procedures are customized to address the specific abnormalities of each eye, enabling our LASIK doctors to sculpt and refine the cornea with absolute precision. We utilize our most advanced technology for all LASIK procedures and have helped countless people substantially reduce or completely eliminate their current need for glasses and contact lenses. During your FREE LASIK consultation, we will assess your needs and help you determine what results you can realistically expect from your procedure.

Can LASIK Eye Surgery Fix My Refractive Error?

LASIK eye surgery can improve vision for people with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. That doesn’t mean it’s the right solution for every eye. At 20/20 Institute, we take a conservative approach to LASIK candidacy, prioritizing long-term visual results over quick and short-term fixes.

We utilize several advanced diagnostic tools, going above and beyond standard candidacy evaluations to make sure that, no matter what we suggest, it will be the safest and most effective solution for your specific needs. This means that if LASIK is not the right fit, we will discuss alternative vision correction options, providing you with the information you need to make a decision you are confident in.

Standard LASIK qualifications include:

• Being at least 18
• Having a stable vision prescription
• Being free of eye diseases and disorders
• Not being pregnant or breastfeeding
• Being in generally good health

Corneal thickness is a consideration for LASIK eye surgery as well. If your corneas are too thin, LASIK may affect their stability. However, newer LASIK eye surgery technology may open the procedure to people who have previously been told they were not good candidates due to corneal thickness.

20/20 Institute is a local, independent, and doctor-owned LASIK center. We are not beholden to out-of-state stockholders or a board of directors filled with investors instead of eye doctors. This enables us to focus exclusively on you and what is in the best interest of your

overall short- and long-term visual health. We only perform LASIK on patients who are judged to be suitable candidates using very conservative candidacy criteria.

Our genuine care is reflected in the extraordinary patient experience we offer everyone who walks through our doors. From no-wait office visits to amenity after amenity, we are wholly focused on your satisfaction and look forward to meeting with you, understanding your goals, and doing everything possible to help you achieve the vision of your dreams.

Interested in learning more about the patient experience at 20/20 Institute? Check out our numerous 5-star reviews on Google and other platforms.

Are You Ready to Learn More About LASIK Eye Surgery?

If you’re curious to learn about how LASIK eye surgery could fix your refractive errors, the team at 20/20 Institute is ready to guide you through every step. Contact us online or call us at 303-202-0669 to schedule your FREE LASIK evaluation. With locations in Westminster, Lodo, DTC, and Colorado Springs, we serve Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Boulder, and all surrounding areas of Colorado.