Question

If the cornea is to be reshaped (this can be done surgically or with contact lenses) to correct myopia, should its curvature be made greater or smaller? Explain. Also explain how hyperopia can be corrected.

a) Greater curvature for myopia; smaller curvature for hyperopia.

b) Smaller curvature for myopia; greater curvature for hyperopia.

c) Greater curvature for both myopia and hyperopia.

d) Smaller curvature for both myopia and hyperopia.

Answer 1

To correct myopia, the cornea's curvature should be reduced, while to correct hyperopia, it should be increased. These adjustments are made via LASIK surgery or special contact lenses to ensure light focuses correctly on the retina.

Step-by-step explanation:

To correct myopia, or nearsightedness, the curvature of the cornea must be made smaller. Myopia occurs because the eye is too long, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina. Reshaping the cornea with LASIK surgery or with contact lenses to flatten it will reduce the eye's power and allow light to focus properly on the retina.

In contrast, to correct hyperopia, or farsightedness, the curvature of the cornea should be made greater. Hyperopia happens when the eye is too short, which makes light rays focus behind the retina. By increasing the curvature of the cornea, the power of the eye is increased, bringing the focal point forward onto the retina.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina. To correct hyperopia, the curvature of the cornea should be made smaller, which helps to move the focal point forward, onto the retina. This is typically achieved using a convex lens.