Home How Your Eye Works Refractive Errors

Refractive errors

One of the most critical components of your eye is the cornea - the “window” of your eye. The purpose of the cornea is to bend, or refract light rays so that they focus on the retina at the back of your eye. Refractive errors occur when the cornea fails to focus light rays precisely on to the retina. At The Australian Institute of Eye Surgery, LASIK is used to improve these refractive errors.

Myopia You may be familiar with the term myopia, also known as shortsightedness. Myopia is the result of an eye ball which is too long or a cornea which is too curved. In both cases, light rays entering your eye fall short of the retina This allows clear close up vision but objects in the distance appear blurred.

Astigmatism Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is more elongated in shape (like a rugby ball) with two different curvatures. Images appear blurred or ghost-like because light rays are refracted unequally In extreme cases, images both near and far appear blurred. Astigmatism can occur on its own or in conjunction with myopia or hypermetropia.

Hypermetropia Hypermetropia or long-sightedness is the opposite of myopia. Here your eye is short or your cornea is less curved. Consequently light rays entering your eye fall behind the retina. This results in blurred vision which is worse at near distances than far.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is difficulty with reading or seeing at near distances and is a normal part of the ageing process often becoming noticeable between 40 and 50 years of age - it is a result of your natural lens hardening.

When we are young the natural lens is soft and changes shape to focus on near objects. As we age this flexibility of the lens diminishes as does the ability to clearly focus on near objects.

Presbyopia is not a corneal disorder, however, if you have just begun to experience this change, it's effects can be reduced.

This is accomplished by intentionally creating a small amount of myopia in one eye only The result allows presbyopic patients to maintain some near vision. This is called monovision. At your consultation we can simulate monovision for you with the aid of a disposable contact lens.

Home - About the Institute - Services - How Your Eye Works - Eye Conditions - LASIK - Testimonials - Book a Consultation - FREE Information Pack - Contact Us - Site Map