What is long-sightedness, and can it be fixed?
In hyperopia or long-sightedness, the eye is shorter than normal. The light rays come together at a point behind the retina and are therefore out of focus on the retina. In early life, a long-sighted person can compensate for this by contracting their ciliary muscle and accommodating. This ability wears out in all of us, but hits long-sighted people particularly hard.
Symptoms of long-sightedness
First they find difficulty seeing near objects (reading) and then they find that distant objects are also blurry. At this point long-sighted people depend on glasses for everything.
Long-sightedness explained
In this video, James Ball explains long-sightedness (also known as hyperopia).
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Causes of long-sightedness
In this video, James Ball explains the causes of long-sightedness (also known as hyperopia).
Treatment of long-sightedness
We can use laser eye surgery (LASIK) to change the shape and curve of the cornea to correct these types of refractive error. In order to strengthen the optics of the eye to correct the long-sightedness we need to make the cornea steeper – thereby increasing its curvature and making it optically more powerful.
For young patients where the cornea is not suitable for treatment phakic IOL implantation may be a good option. This essentially involves making a contact lens to correct your refractive error and placing it inside your eye, just in front of your natural lens.
For many older long-sighted patients lens replacement is effective at correcting both the distance vision and providing an increased range of focus. If there is early cataract change in the natural crystalline lens the lens replacement is preferable to LASIK laser eye surgery.
Also, some long-sighted patients have small eyes which become "crowded" by an enlarging natural crystalline lens. Again, these patients benefit from lens replacement. Not only is their refractive error corrected but also the acrylic lens implant is slimmer than the natural lens creating space and allowing fluid to circulate more easily inside the eye. This reduces the risk of developing glaucoma in the future.
Results at a glance
My eyesight following the operation is brilliant and better than I thought possible, and this is all down to your excellent surgeon Mr James Ball and not to forget all the very dedicated people around him who make these operations possible.
Keith Garlick
Two of the best decisions I ever made in my life were firstly to have lens exchange and secondly to have Mr James Ball carry out my operation.
Patricia Walton
Within minutes I could tell there was a difference. But now, only a couple of months later, my sight is better than it was seven years ago! I can even read the really tiny print on the car sales ads! If you want that confidence you probably felt when you were younger, this is the ideal solution. Thanks to the treatment, I feel rejuvenated, independent and much younger!
John Hazelgreave
Many thanks for all your care and kindness. To me it appears a miracle that I can see so well. I feel very grateful. It is impossible to fully express my thanks.
Grace C.
May I offer grateful thanks for your expertise in operating on my eyes. It was intimated to me that you were the best, and from the results I am now enjoying, I am convinced that this is correct.
Jean D.
You are truly innovative. Thank you very much for curing the problems I have been having with my reading and near vision.
Sala M.
My work was becoming almost impossible. I had refractive lens exchange to both eyes with multifocal lens implants last July. I can now see better than 20/20 for distance and can read the tiniest print in newspapers - all without glasses! I have started reading for pleasure again, and I feel that my performance both at work and on the golf course has improved.
John
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My work was becoming almost impossible. I had refractive lens exchange to both eyes with multifocal lens implants last July. I can now see better than 20/20 for distance and can read the tiniest print in newspapers – all without glasses! I have started reading for pleasure again, and I feel that my performance both at work and on the golf course has improved.
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