Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Signs of Nearsightedness
If you can see things clearly up close but not in the distance, you are probably nearsighted.
The medical term for this is Myopia and your eyes would be classified as Myopic. Nearsighted eyes have a focus point up close and the vision is blurred in the distance because light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina. Distant objects are seen more clearly only with the help of glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, ASA or other laser vision correction treatment, or lens implants, such as EVO-ICLs. People who are nearsighted may also have blurred vision due to Astigmatism. If you are over 40 and have trouble reading, you may have Presbyopia.
Please click the "play" button below to see a video to learn more about Myopia and Myopic Description and Treatment. Nearsighted Myopic Vision Correction via Surgical Procedures that reduce Nearsightedness (Myopia).
Refractive surgery procedures for myopia nearsighted myopic eye conditions include laser vision eye surgery and lens implants.
Mild to Moderate Case of Nearsighted (Myopic) Eyes
Mild to moderate amounts of nearsightedness (Myopia) where your prescription ranges from -1.00 Diopters (thin glasses) on the low end and -10.00 Diopters (thick glasses) or more on the high end can usually be corrected with laser eye surgery (LASIK, PRK, ASA, LASEK, EpiLasik). A Diopter is the unit of measurement of your prescription (The term Diopter is commonly referred to with a “d”, so as an example, a prescription would read “-1.00 D” or “-1.00 d”). This is accomplished by reshaping the outer lens of your eye, your cornea, to refocus the light rays on your retina.
Severe Case of Nearsighted (Myopic) Eyes
If your prescription is between -8.00 Diopters and -20.00 Diopters your eyes may be best corrected with the insertion of implants inside the eye. (The term Diopter is commonly referred to with a “d”,so as an example, a prescription would read “-8.00 D” or “-8.00 d”). These implants are called Phakic Implants. The two Phakic Implants approved by the FDA in the United States are the STAAR Visian implant and the AMO Verisyse implant. Phakic Implants are placed inside the eye behind your cornea and in front of your natural lens (the internal lens of your eye that helps focus your vision from far to near). Phakic Implants can be combined with another laser vision correction procedure to correct any residual nearsightedness (Myopia) myopia or astigmatism not corrected by the implant.
Laser eye surgery may not always be the best option so it is important to find an experienced eye surgeon like the ones in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons® Directory and the Trusted Cataract Surgeons® Directory, most of whom perform a variety of refractive surgery procedures to give patients a more complete range of options. To learn more about these vision correction surgical treatments for myopia, please clink on the links below:
Laser Vision Correction Procedures
- LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea, correcting myopia up to -12.00 diopters, providing clear distance vision for patients with mild to high nearsightedness.
- PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) reshapes the cornea with a laser to correct myopia up to -12.00 diopters, ideal for patients with thin corneas or those unsuitable for LASIK.
- ASA (Advance Surface Ablation) is a flapless laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct myopia up to -12.00 diopters, suitable for patients with thin corneas or active lifestyles.
- SMILE Eye Surgery (SMILE) is a minimally invasive, flapless laser procedure that corrects myopia up to -10.00 diopters, offering reduced dry eye risk and faster recovery for active patients.
- Other Laser Vision Surgery Procedures
- LASEK combines LASIK and PRK techniques, reshaping the cornea to correct myopia up to -12.00 diopters, suitable for patients with thin or irregular corneas.
- EpiLasik uses a specialized blade to reshape the cornea, correcting myopia up to -12.00 diopters, designed for patients with thin corneas or LASIK contraindications.
- Lens Implants
- Phakic Implants: EVO-ICLs are implantable lenses placed behind the iris to correct severe myopia up to -20.00 diopters, ideal for patients with high prescriptions or thin corneas.
- Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): CLE/RLE replaces the natural lens with an artificial implant to correct myopia, offering a permanent solution for patients over 40 or those unsuitable for laser surgery.
- Premium and Monofocal Len Implants: please visit our IOL discussion to learn more about lenses used in this procedure.
- Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs) are premium lenses adjusted with light after implantation to fine-tune myopia correction, providing personalized vision outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Q: What is myopia (nearsightedness)?
A: Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too steeply curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. TrustedLASIKSurgeons.com connects you with experts specializing in myopia correction.
Q: Can LASIK eye surgery correct myopia?
A: Yes, LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is one of the most popular and highly effective procedures for correcting myopia. During LASIK, an excimer laser is used to precisely reshape the cornea, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina and significantly improving distance vision. Contact a Trusted LASIK Surgeon for a personalized consultation to determine your eligibility.
Q: Is PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) an option for nearsightedness, and how does it compare to LASIK?
A: Yes, PRK is an excellent option for correcting myopia, especially for patients who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK due to thinner corneas or specific lifestyle factors. Unlike LASIK, PRK reshapes the corneal surface directly without creating a flap. While PRK typically involves a slightly longer initial recovery period, it offers comparable long-term visual outcomes to LASIK. Consult a Trusted LASIK Surgeon to determine the best procedure for your individual needs.
Q: How much does myopia treatment like LASIK or PRK typically cost?
A: The cost of myopia treatments such as LASIK or PRK can vary based on factors like the technology used, the surgeon's experience, and geographic location. For a comprehensive understanding of what influences pricing and what to expect financially, we highly recommend exploring our detailed resources. Learn more about the True Cost of LASIK and utilize our Consumer Checklist for LASIK Cost to help guide your decision-making process.
Q: Can EVO ICLs treat severe myopia?
A: Yes, EVO ICLs (Implantable Collamer Lenses) are an excellent and often preferred option for treating severe myopia, including very high prescriptions that may not be suitable for LASIK or PRK. EVO ICLs are tiny, flexible lenses surgically implanted in the eye without removing the natural lens, offering remarkable visual clarity and reversibility. Find a Trusted LASIK Surgeon offering EVO ICLs to see if this advanced solution is right for you.
Q: Is SMILE eye surgery effective for myopia?
A: Yes, SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally invasive, flapless laser eye surgery that is highly effective for correcting myopia and astigmatism. Many Trusted LASIK Surgeons offer SMILE as an advanced alternative to traditional LASIK, particularly for certain prescriptions. Consult with a Trusted LASIK Surgeon to see if SMILE is suitable for your myopia correction.
Ready to See Clearly? Find a Trusted Expert Today!
To find a vision correction expert surgeon who has qualified to be listed in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons® LASIK Directory or the Trusted Cataract Surgeons® Directory nearest to you, please visit:
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Important Disclaimer: Confirming Procedure Offerings & Technologies
While nearly all LASIK surgeons in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons® Directory perform various laser vision correction procedures, and most offer other refractive surgery procedures, not all surgeons provide every option. Similarly, for surgeons that offer cataract surgery, RLE/CLE, and other lens implants, some may specialize in advanced technologies like EVO ICLs and Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs), while others may not. We strongly encourage you to contact the individual surgeon you find in this directory directly via their profile page or practice to confirm the specific procedures, technologies, and services they offer to ensure it aligns with your vision correction needs.
We invite you to review our qualification process, each surgeon's profile, and select your LASIK., cataract or other refractive surgeon with confidence.
When you select an eye surgeon from the Trusted Cataract Surgeons® Directory or Trusted Cataract Surgeons® Directory, you will meet with a vision correction surgery expert who is a trusted eye surgeon. You will gain the advice, wisdom, and expertise of a highly qualified refractive surgeon at an exceptional value.
To learn more about screening process and standards used by Trusted LASIK Surgeons® and Trusted Cataract Surgeons® to qualify surgeons please visit:
How Are Lasik and Cataract Surgeons Qualified at Trusted LASIK Surgeons®?