Shortsightedness or Myopia - A condition where the eye is elongated from front to back. This causes light that enters the eye to focus too far in front of the retina causing distant objects to appear blurred. In prescription terms it is described as a 'minus' prescription. Because the i-GO lens is slightly flattened at its peak it gently presses onto the cornea shortening the distance to the back of the eye so light can focus correctly on the retina. The adjustment is only marginal but sufficient to create the desired effect. This is the area which would normally be removed during laser surgery.
Longsightedness or Hyperopia - A condition whereby the eyeball is slightly shortened in length. It is the reverse of shortsightedness and hence light focuses behind the retina. With this condition you will have good long distance vision but struggle to read or focus on things that very are close up. In prescription terms it is described as a 'plus' prescription.
Presbyopia - This condition is totally unrelated to myopia or hyperopia. It is an age-related condition that occurs in people from around the age of 40 onwards. The lenses in the eye become less elastic with age and hence cannot adjust easily to focus on things close up. You will find that menus and newspapers have to be held at a distance in order to read especially in low light conditions. Presbyopia can occur with anyone who is shortsighted or longsighted. If you are presbyopic and you wear i-GO lenses to correct shortsightedness you will still need to wear your reading glasses or may need them at some point in the future. This is also the case if you were to decide to have laser surgery or wear conventional contact lenses.
