Vision Correction Surgery San Francisco Bay Area

Refractive Errors

To create clear images, the eye bends (refracts) light onto the retina. When there is an issue that prevents this from happening properly, it is called a refractive error. More than 150 million people in the United States have a refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, or astigmatism.¹ Vision correction surgery improves the way light is bent onto the retina to improve refractive errors.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

When a person is nearsighted, he or she struggles to clearly see objects in the distance. More than 30% of people in the United States are nearsighted, a refractive error that results from a cornea that is too steeply curved or an eye that is too long. Most people who have myopia are genetically predisposed to this refractive error, but people who spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, reading, or engaging in other close-vision activities may also develop nearsightedness.²

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

People who are farsighted have difficulty focusing on objects up close. Hyperopia is caused by a cornea that is not curved enough, causing light to focus behind the retina and up-close images to appear blurry. Many people who have hyperopia are born with it, and this is usually an inherited condition. In addition to causing blurry close vision, farsightedness may also lead to headaches, eyestrain, and eyes that ache or burn.³

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is caused by a cornea more shaped like a football than a sphere, and this leads to light refracting unevenly onto the retina. Astigmatism can cause blurred vision at all distances, and is often present in addition to nearsightedness or farsightedness.⁴

Presbyopia Solutions

Presbyopia is slightly different from other refractive errors in that it is a natural part of the eye’s aging process. Over time, the lens of the eye becomes more rigid and less able to flex and change shape to refract light properly. This begins to happen to most people after the age of 40, and can make it difficult to focus on up close objects. In the past, the only solution for age-related near vision loss was to wear bifocals or reading glasses for up-close tasks. Now, we at San Francisco Eye Institute are able to offer a range of customized treatment options for presbyopia, including VUITY™ eye drops, refractive lens exchange, and monovision or blended vision.

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EVO ICL™ (Implantable Collamer® Lens)

EVO ICL is an innovative option for correction of myopia and astigmatism, and it is a fantastic alternative to LASIK for patients who have thin corneas or are otherwise not good candidates. During EVO ICL vision correction surgery, a micro-thin collamer lens is implanted in front of the natural lens of the eye. This lens is fully biocompatible and also provides UV protection. While EVO ICL is designed to be a permanent vision correction option, this procedure is also reversible if necessary.

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LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK is a form of vision correction surgery where the curvature of the cornea is improved using an excimer laser after first creating a thin corneal flap. The flap acts as a natural bandage over the treated cornea to allow for quick healing. For patients who are candidates, LASIK can help improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism, with up to 90% of LASIK patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.⁵

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PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

PRK, like LASIK, is a refractive surgery where the cornea is reshaped using a laser to improve refractive errors. What makes PRK different from LASIK is the way the cornea is prepared before it is reshaped with an excimer laser. PRK is often an ideal option for patients who have thin corneas, or other conditions that prevent them from being a good candidate for LASIK. Outcomes and patient satisfaction rates are comparable between both procedures.

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What Vision Correction Option is Right for Me?

Each patient’s vision correction needs and goals are unique. If you are considering vision surgery, the first step is to attend a consultation with an ophthalmologist you trust. Dr. Margaret Liu and our team of experienced eye surgeons can help you understand your options so that you are able to make a confident decision about the vision correction treatment plan that is right for you. You can also get started now with our free online vision correction quiz. To schedule your consultation, please contact us at San Francisco Eye Institute, where we proudly serve patients from throughout the Bay Area.

Page Updated: September 22, 2023

The doctors at San Francisco Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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