When to Consider Refractive Surgery for Farsightedness

Have you been farsighted for a number of years? Perhaps you’ve worn reading glasses or contacts to read books and see objects that are close to you. Now, you’re squinting to see printed material even with glasses or contacts. Your eye muscles are working overtime, and you may develop eye strain and a dull pain in your eyes when you read. 

Dr. Stephen Khachikian, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Rapid City, South Dakota, performs surgeries to correct farsightedness, which is a refractive error. A refractive error occurs when your cornea, the clear protective covering on your eyeball, doesn’t bend light correctly; light enters your eye but doesn’t land on the retina, its target. 

How do you decide whether to consider refractive surgery for your farsightedness? It depends on the type of vision problem you have. Dr. Khachikian lets you know the type of surgery for which you’re a good candidate. Following are several considerations to take into account.

Lifestyle and vision needs 

Think about your lifestyle and vision needs when considering refractive surgery for your farsightedness. Depending on the type of refractive surgery you choose, you may still need to use glasses or contacts for reading after the surgery even though your vision has improved. 

Eye strain 

Are your eye muscles working too hard? If you’re developing eye strain and a dull pain in your eyes when you read, and your glasses or contacts aren’t helping, you may want to consider surgery. 

Safety 

Another factor that may help you decide to undergo surgery is whether your farsightedness is much worse now than in previous years. Is there a potential for accidents if you use your hands for your job, for example? Safety comes first. 

Risks of surgery 

Refractive surgery, while safe and effective, still has risks. In a very small percentage of patients, some complications may arise. Are you willing to have the surgery knowing there is a very small chance of a complication? 

In addition to your own considerations, there are qualifications for having refractive surgery. If you’re not a candidate, Dr. Khachikian discusses other surgical options with you. It depends on the type of vision problem you have. Following are medical considerations for when refractive surgery is appropriate. 

Healthy eyes

Farsightedness is a refractive error; it isn’t an eye disease. Your eyes need to be healthy to have LASIK surgery. Dr. Khachikian reviews your medical history and eye history. 

If you have keratoconus, keratitis, uveitis, or another type of eye inflammation, disease, or infection, refractive surgery isn’t a good choice for you. 

If you have dry eyes already and use artificial tears, or if you have abnormally large pupils, refractive surgery also isn’t appropriate because it can worsen dry eyes.

Overall good health 

Your general health should be good to have refractive eye surgery. If you have an autoimmune disease or have trouble managing your diabetes, refractive surgery isn’t a good option. Certain medications can prevent timely wound healing.

Stable vision 

Certain drugs — for example, steroids — and some conditions — such as pregnancy — can cause temporary vision changes. Your vision should be stable, without a prescription change, for at least one year if not 2-3 years before you undergo refractive surgery. 

Age considerations

For refractive surgery, you should be at least 18 years old and preferably older because your eyes are still changing until after you’re 21. Refractive surgery alters the shape of your eyes. If your eyesight changes after the surgery, the operation may not achieve optimum effectiveness. 

Modern surgery can work wonders for farsightedness. Call Dr. Stephen Khachikian or book a consultation online today if you’re having trouble with your vision.