• Parts of the Eye
• How The Eye Works
• Types of Refractive Errors
• Target Options Suited to Your Lifestyle
• LASIK and Other Treatments from our Eye Doctors in Florida

Information for Patients Visiting our Tarpon Springs, Florida LASIK Eye Surgery Practice

Dr. Pit Gills, a cataract and refractive surgeon serving the Tampa and Orlando, Florida area, offers LASIK eye surgery and other refractive procedures to individuals who want to reduce their dependency on glasses and contacts. In order to better understand how surgery is able to correct refractive errors, it is important to know how the eye works. The following information is designed to provide basic knowledge of the inner workings of the eye. To learn more, contact St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute to speak with Pit Gills, MD, an experienced cataract and refractive surgeon in Florida.

Parts of the Eye

The eye is made up of several components, all of which work together to generate sight. Although each individual’s eyesight is different, depending upon unique refractive errors, the process of light passing through the eye is essentially the same for everyone.

Cornea

The cornea is the clear outer portion of the eye that protects the inside of the eye. An irregularly shaped cornea is the main cause of refractive error. The cornea is made up of five layers of tissue. The first layer rapidly replaces cells to provide for quick healing in the event of an injury, while the other layers protect the eye from infection.

Pupil

The pupil is the black spot located in the center of the iris (the colored portion of the eye). The size of the pupil changes to control the amount of light that reaches the retina.

Lens

The lens is located directly behind the pupil and changes shape to adjust the focus between near and distant objects. As the eye ages, the lens becomes more rigid, which makes it difficult to adjust the focus.

Retina

The retina, located on the inside wall of the eye, is responsible for changing light into sight by converting the light into electrical impulses. These impulses are then sent to the brain where they are converted into images.

back to top

How The Eye Works

When light enters the eye, it passes through the cornea, continues to the pupil, then to the lens, and finally, focuses on the retina. If there are no refractive errors as the light passes through these points, then the image should be sharp and clear. However, with refractive error, the image will appear blurred, because the light is unable to focus sharply. There are several factors that can cause refractive error, such as the length of the eye, the shape of the cornea, the shape of the lens, the power of the lens, or a combination of these.

Types of Refractive Errors

Nearsightedness (myopia)

Nearsightedness is a refractive error resulting from a cornea that is too steep or an eye that is too long. Therefore, when light enters the eye, it focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Although vision may be sharp and clear when focusing on objects up close, distance vision may be blurred. Nearsighted patients may benefit from LASIK or other refractive procedures at St. Luke’s to correct and improve vision.

Farsightedness (hyperopia)

Farsightedness is a refractive error that occurs as a result of a cornea that is too flat, an eye that is too short, or a combination of these. Therefore, when light enters the eye it focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it. Individuals with farsightedness may experience blurred vision both at distance and near. Individuals suffering from farsightedness should contact Pit Gills, MD, cataract and refractive surgery specialist offering LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures to correct farsightedness at our Florida practice.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is the result of an irregularly shaped cornea. While the cornea should be spherical, many individuals with astigmatism have an oval-shaped cornea. This means that there are two curves, so light focuses on more than one point in the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Astigmatism typically occurs in addition to farsightedness or nearsightedness.

back to top

Target Options Suited to Your Lifestyle

Vision correction surgery can give you surprising freedom from glasses or contacts, often exceeding your expectations. As you do approach the age of 40 and presbyopia sets in, you have a few more options to consider. You could choose to have both eyes corrected for maximum distance vision and definitely use reading glasses, or you could choose either “functional vision” or “monovision”.

Functional vision means your dominant eye is focused for maximum distance vision, and the non-dominant eye is focused for intermediate vision, which is what we rely on about 80 percent of the time. Intermediate vision provides good vision for computer work, checking your watch or reading a menu and most newsprint. Reading glasses will be needed for fine print and close up work.

Monovision means your dominant eye is focused for maximum distance vision, and the non-dominant eye is focused for near vision. For most people, the brain simply chooses the eye it needs depending on the task. This is a bit of a compromise in an attempt to achieve a little bit of both distance and near vision. However, because the eyes are focused differently, glasses could be needed for some activities, such as computer work or night driving.

back to top

LASIK and Other Treatments from Our Eye Doctors in Florida

There are several different treatment options available for vision correction. Each option is designed to treat the eye’s unique irregularities. At St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute, we understand that knowing your options is essential to making an informed decision. Visit experienced eye surgeon, Pit Gills, MD, at his Florida LASIK practice for a complimentary evaluation to determine which refractive surgery procedure may be most appropriate for you.

Contact our practice near Tampa and Orlando, Florida for more information about LASIK and other procedures.

back to top