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Reasons For Poor Eyesight And Procedures To Correct Them

If your vision is less than optimal, there may be a way to improve it through an ophthalmological procedure. Here are a few reasons for poor eyesight, and how the issues can be corrected.

Shape of the Cornea

Depending on the shape of your cornea, you may suffer from farsightedness or nearsightedness. Glasses or contact lenses may help correct your vision. However, your eyesight may also be corrected using a specialized procedure called LASIK. With LASIK, a laser is used to create an incision in the eye. Once the incision is performed, the newly formed flap of eye tissue is lifted, and the cornea is reshaped to improve the vision. The changes created by a LASIK procedure are permanent. However, if the desired level of vision correction has not been achieved, a subsequent LASIK surgery can be performed. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes the pressure in the eye to build, damaging the optic nerve. Over time, the damage can lead to blindness.  Still, there are ophthalmological procedures to prevent further vision loss and even improve the eyesight. Laser surgery can be used to help the eye drain properly, preventing the buildup of pressure that leads to a loss of vision. A trabeculectomy is another surgical option. This procedure involves the creation of a small flap in the white of the eye, which is called the sclera. A pocket is also created in the conjunctiva to allow the fluid within the eye to exit, lowering the intraocular pressure. Glaucoma devices that are designed for drainage may also be used. The devices, which are tiny tubes, are implanted into the eye to reroute the excess fluid to a reservoir. The physician creates the reservoir underneath the conjunctiva to permit the fluid's absorption after it collects. 

Cataracts

A cataract clouds the lens of the eye, reducing your ability to see clearly. The condition, which often develops with age, can be treated surgically. During the procedure, the cloudy lens is removed and then replaced by an artificial lens. Once you have had cataract surgery, your lens may become cloudy again, negatively impacting your ability to see. This secondary cloudiness is usually caused by the clouding of the capsule of the eye, which is the portion of the eye that holds the artificial lens in place. A subsequent surgery can be performed to open the eye capsule, removing the haziness and restoring the eyesight.

If you are having problems with your vision, schedule a consultation with a doctor specializing in ophthalmology in your local area.


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