The School of Medicine's Refractive Eye Institute is testing a new laser surgery technique to correct farsightedness. For the last few years, nearsighted people have been able to receive laser surgery to correct their vision. The new study will help determine whether farsighted people can get the same benefit.
The study's principal investigator is Jay S. Pepose, M.D., Ph.D., the Bernard Becker Professor of Ophthalmology. He is one of several U.S. researchers now testing a system called hyperopic LASIK (Laser Assisted Keratomileusis).
Preliminary results are encouraging. "We've operated on both eyes of only two patients, so it is too early to know whether this procedure will work for everyone. But our early results are striking. Both patients had preoperative vision of 20/100, one line short of being legally blind. But a day after surgery, our first patient was 20/25. Our second improved to 20/20," Pepose said.
For more information on the study or refractive eye surgery, call the Washington University Refractive Eye Institute toll-free at 1-888-804-6888.
