What You Need to Know About Eye Conditions and Laser Treatment

Laser treatment encompasses a range of different eye surgeries that can correct various vision and eye health issues. For example, ReLEx SMILE can repair refractive errors like myopia, whereas PRESBYOND treats age-related presbyopia. Laser technology is used in cataract surgery and the treatment of degenerative diseases, such as keratoconus.

In this article, Clearview Vision Institute explains the difference between various eye conditions and the best laser treatments for each.

Common Eye Conditions Treated with Laser Surgery

Laser surgery treats the most common eye conditions. Furthermore, modern laser treatments are safer, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before. You’ll also heal faster with less risk of side effects, such as dry eye.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia, or nearsightedness or short-sightedness, is when nearby objects appear sharp but become blurry when at a distance. For instance, you’re able to read without issue, but struggle to make out roadside signs while in a vehicle.

Myopia is the most common refractive error worldwide, affecting 1 in 5 people globally. It typically develops in childhood.

In myopic eyes, the eyeball is too long and over-shaped, rather than round. It changes how light refracts when it enters the eye. Instead of focusing directly on the retina, light focuses just before reaching the retina. Distant objects appear blurry as a result.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia. You can see faraway objects clearly, but close up, things become blurry. People with hyperopia can read distant signs perfectly fine, yet are unable to read writing in books or on nearby screens. It can often result in eyestrain, since your eyes need to work harder to see the world in your immediate vicinity.

Hyperopic eyes are shorter from front to back. Light entering the eye does not focus on the retina, resulting in distorted vision. Your focusing ability depends on the degree of your farsightedness.

Everyone with hyperopia is born with it.

Presbyopia (Old Age Farsightedness)

Presbyopia is a form of hyperopia that develops with age. It’s a natural part of getting older, so everyone will eventually experience some blurry vision close up. Presbyopia is why seniors wear reading glasses while reading or using a computer screen.

As we age, the lens of the eye hardens and becomes less elastic. As it loses elasticity, the lens cannot change shape to focus on nearby objects as effectively. Low light tends to exacerbate symptoms.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs as a result of asymmetry in the curvature of the cornea. Instead of being egg-shaped, your eyeball is shaped like a football. These varying curvatures, both up and down and left and right, change how light enters your eye. It bends and distorts more than it should, resulting in blurry vision at any distance.

Some people are born with astigmatism, while others develop it later in life. 

Cataracts

A clouding of the lens in the eye is called a cataract. The lens is typically clear, allowing for clear and sharp vision. When a cataract forms, your vision can begin to look faded, yellowed, dim, or blurry. You may also see halos around lights, have double vision, or be sensitive to light and glare. Eventually, you can lose vision in that eye entirely.

As we age, proteins and fibres break down in the eye. These clump together on the lens, causing it to resemble a frosty or foggy window.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is an eye condition that affects 1 in 450 people. Those with keratoconus develop a thinning, steeper corner that bulges outward into a cone shape. It causes blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and clouding of vision. Although you can treat the condition with prescription glasses or soft contact lenses in its early stages, laser eye treatment can slow or stop the disease from progressing.

Popular Laser Treatments for Vision Health

Clearview Vision Institute offers a range of advanced vision correction and eye health treatments using laser technology. We are proud to have introduced many of these groundbreaking procedures to Canada.

Custom Bladeless LASIK

Custom Bladeless LASIK is the most advanced LASIK technology available in North America. It utilizes the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser to create a small slit in the eye, without resulting in a flap. As a result, it delivers more precise results and better visual outcomes with no risk of flap-related complications.

• Treats: Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism.

ReLEx SMILE

ReLEx® SMILE is the latest advancement in laser vision correction technology. It is a highly effective treatment for myopia and astigmatism. Like LASIK, it does not require a flap, so there are no flap-related complications. The eye surgery is very gentle, requiring only a small incision, for maximum comfort and precise results.

• Treats: Myopia, astigmatism.

Custom PRK

Custom PRK works by reshaping the top surface of the cornea after removing or lifting the corneal epithelium rather than the corneal flap. It’s best for patients with large pupils or thin or structurally unique corneas. 

• Treats: Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism.

Laser Blended Vision PRESBYOND

PRESBYOND is a laser-blended vision correction treatment that treats the symptoms of presbyopia. This highly effective laser procedure increases your visual depth of field by reshaping the eye. It’s far safer and less invasive than other treatment options, like monovision or intraocular lens implants.

• Treats: Presbyopia.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Laser cataract surgery uses a bladeless laser instead of a handheld blade or other manual instrument. This results in enhanced precision, improved accuracy, and a more gentle experience. It also decreases the risk of infection after surgery, since the incision often self-seals.

• Treats: Cataracts.

Laser Light Transepithelial Cross-Linking

Laser Light Transepithelial Cross-Linking is an innovative procedure that slows or stops the progression of keratoconus and other eye disorders. It strengthens the cornea and improves its shape while maintaining the integrity of the surface layer of the eye. It speeds up the recovery process and restores your vision.

• Treats: Keratoconus.

State-of-the-Art Eye Surgery from Clearview Vision Institute

Clearview Vision Institute is a leading provider of laser treatment for a range of eye conditions, including refractive errors and some degenerative diseases. We are proud to have introduced many advanced laser eye surgeries to our patients in Canada. It has allowed more Canadians to access life-changing vision corrective procedures with a lower risk of complications. 

Our knowledgeable staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and personalized treatment plans distinguish us as a premier vision correction provider. We take care to offer you the best experience — and the best vision — possible.

To request more information on laser eye surgery, call Clearview Vision Institute today at 647-493-6371 or contact us here.