Written by ID Eye Clinic
2025.02.20
Once vision deteriorates, it doesn't naturally recover, and it can significantly lower the overall quality of life, which is why many people consider vision correction surgery. However, it's hard to notice when vision begins to worsen in real time, so people often miss the opportunity to correct or prevent the decline in vision. Many only begin to consider vision correction surgery after the deterioration has become more significant. This is where understanding the difference between myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism becomes important.
Myopia, especially when the image is formed in front of the retina, is a common vision problem for many people. It occurs when the eyeball is longer than a normal eye or when the curvature of the corneal surface is greater, causing light entering the eye to bend too much as it passes through the cornea, or when the lens does not stretch enough. The causes of myopia are very diverse. As a result, people may have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly while being able to focus on nearby objects. This leads to various efforts to correct myopia. Typically, myopia progresses during the growth period, and it is said that myopia stops progressing once a person reaches adulthood. However, myopia can continue to progress regardless of age if a person does a lot of close-up work or accumulates eye strain. Symptoms of myopia include difficulty seeing distant objects and excessive eye fatigue after prolonged near-work activities.
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens, causing light entering the eye to fail to focus on a single point. As a result, the vision becomes blurry. If a person has astigmatism, objects at both near and far distances can appear blurry, leading to discomfort in daily life. Just as every person has a unique appearance, the degree of myopia and astigmatism varies for each individual. Some issues that were previously unnoticed may be detected through an eye exam, so creating a comprehensive plan based on all factors is essential for achieving high-quality vision correction.
Understanding the differences in myopia and astigmatism is crucial when considering LASIK and LASEK procedures, as the treatment methods vary based on these conditions. Recently, laser correction methods that address the shortcomings of traditional LASIK and LASEK have been gaining popularity. Among the preferred options are Today LASIK and Save LASIK, both of which use laser techniques to minimize corneal damage and ensure a stable surgical process. First, for busy modern individuals, long recovery times can be a significant burden. To address this, 2day LASEK is a procedure that shortens the recovery period. This technique uses the Amaris Red equipment, which minimizes corneal damage through fast laser scanning. It also utilizes a 7-dimensional eye-tracking system that predicts eye movements during surgery, ensuring accurate treatment even if the eye moves. This procedure is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate myopia, including those with high myopia.
The 2day LASEK procedure is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate myopia, but the second method, Save LASEK, is designed for those with more severe myopia and astigmatism. This procedure uses the EX500 White equipment, which delivers rapid laser scans to remove the corneal epithelium and perform stromal treatment simultaneously, all while minimizing corneal damage. The precise micro-level cuts allow for enough corneal tissue to remain, making it applicable even for those with severe myopia or astigmatism. As the area of corneal damage is reduced by about 40%, it allows for faster recovery. The two different methods, depending on myopia and astigmatism, reduce the likelihood of various side effects such as night glare, dry eyes, and myopia regression. Unlike previous correction methods, which required manual corneal incisions by the surgeon and were prone to human error, these laser-based methods reduce the margin of error and lower the chances of complications like damage to the tear film or nerves, helping to prevent side effects. Since the approach differs based on each individual's vision, it's important to carefully consider the experience of the medical professionals when choosing a vision correction surgery. Although both procedures rely on laser technology to improve accuracy, the expertise and clinical experience of the medical team play a significant role in determining the outcome.
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