Treatments for Farsightedness
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a common vision problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Patients that have farsighted vision experience difficulty focusing on objects that are in close range. When reading, looking at photos, or working on the computer, these patients have trouble seeing the words or images that are within a couple of feet of their eyes. To compensate for the up-close blurry vision, patients will often squint or move some distance away from the object.
There are a number of treatment options available to patients who suffer from hyperopia. Patients can use visual aids that temporarily improve vision, or undergo surgical options to permanently correct this vision problem. In this blog post, Goodlettsville optometrist Walter Choate provides an overview of farsightedness treatment options.
Eyeglasses
By far the most popular treatment for hyperopia, eyeglasses can treat patients with all degrees of farsightedness. At Dr. Choate’s optical boutique, the staff will fit patients with eyeglasses that are comfortable, functional, fashionable, and long lasting. They offer the latest frame styles and lens technology so patients can find the glasses that are right for them.
Contact Lenses
The doctors at Choate Eye Associates offer many types of contact lenses for farsighted patients. Patients can choose from disposable lenses, extended-wear lenses, tinted lenses, and more. We invite patients to contact our practice for an updated contact lens prescription and the latest contact lens products.
Laser Vision Correction
There are a number of laser vision correction procedures that are designed to permanently correct hyperopia. LASIK, PRK, Epi-LASIK, and LASEK are techniques that reshape the curvature of the cornea so light is properly reflected and patients can focus clearly on near objects.
Farsightedness occurs when the cornea is not curved enough, causing light to focus behind the retina rather than on it. With laser vision correction, precise amounts of corneal tissue are removed to steepen the cornea and improve vision. The difference among all of the laser vision correction treatment options lies in the manner in which the corneal tissue is accessed.
Dr. Choate does not perform laser vision correction surgery, but he can refer patients to local surgeons who are skilled in these procedures.
Conductive Keratoplasty
Conductive keratoplasty can treat mild cases of farsightedness. In this approach, low energy radio waves are directed at the outer edges of the cornea to reshape it. The corneal tissue shrinks in response to the radio waves. This approach is not performed as frequently as LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures.
Dr. Choate does not perform conductive keratoplasty treatment, but he can refer patients to local surgeons who have experience with this procedure.
Implantable Contact Lenses
Implantable contact lenses, or ICLs, are placed in front of the eye’s natural lens. Because the natural lens is not removed, this procedure is reversible, unlike other farsightedness surgical treatment options. ICLs are an option for patients who are not good candidates for laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK.
Dr. Choate does not perform the ICL procedure, but he can refer patients to local surgeons who have experience with this treatment.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Walter Choate, contact Choate Eye Associates today.