The EYE

Read about the Human Eye and learn about some of the most common vision problems.

The eye allows us to see and interpret the shapes, colors, and object dimensions by processing the light they reflect or give off. We use our eyes in almost everything we do. Sight is the most precious of the five senses, and many people fear blindness more than any other disability.

What causes vision problems?

The primary function of your eye is to focus light. You need glasses or contacts when your eye cannot properly direct light rays on the retina. Light rays must focus precisely on the retina for you to see clearly. If you wear corrective lenses, you may have one of the following problems:

Myopia (Nearsightedness) occurs when your eye is too long in relation to the curvature of your cornea. With myopia, near objects are seen more clearly than distant objects.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness) occurs when your eye is too short in relation to the curvature of your cornea. With hyperopia, distant objects are seen more clearly than near objects.

Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is shaped like an oval. With astigmatism, more than one focal point within the eye distorts what you see.

Presbyopia occurs as you reach your 40’s or 50’s. The lens inside your eye loses its elasticity, making it more difficult to read smaller print. Because laser vision correction does not deal with the lens of your eye, it cannot correct this problem.