What is Short-sighted Vision (Myopia)?

Short-sightedness (myopia) is the most common refractive error, which allows for clear near vision, but with difficulty to focus on distant objects. Visual strain including squinting, fatigue whilst driving or playing sports, and headaches are common symptoms associated with myopia. Short-sighted vision is caused either by the eyeball being too long or having too much curvature of the cornea.

Is Short-sighted Vision (Myopia) Surgery Permanent?

Surgery is very successful in reducing or eliminating the need to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct myopia.  Just like any other organ, the eye is subject to natural changes which can alter your vision with age. Other surgery options are available to correct these changes if and when they happen. 

What are my Short-sighted Vision (Myopia) Treatment Options?

Short-sighted vision can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery or intraocular lens surgery.

Laser eye surgery is primarily performed on patients who want their vision corrected and who no longer want the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses. Whilst glasses are fashionable, they are particularly undesirable for people who play contact sport, enjoy swimming, or simply lead an active lifestyle where glasses get in the way.

Contact lenses require high maintenance and many people find them uncomfortable and irritating. Laser eye surgery has changed all of that. You can now have your vision corrected quickly, with minimal discomfort and very little downtime.

Corrective procedures are performed with an excimer laser, implantable contact lens or a refractive lens exchange.

Available treatments include:

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

Flapless surgery (SMILE) creates a thin piece of tissue inside the cornea and is removed through a small incision. SMILE is the latest technique in laser eye surgery.  ReLEx SMILE with Visumax uses demonstrated femtosecond laser technology with accuracy and a minimally invasive treatment. The procedure is over quickly and offers faster recovery time.

PRK or ASLA (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

Surface laser ablation (PRK) removes a layer of corneal tissue to help flatten the cornea and allow light rays to focus precisely on the retina. Some corneas are irregular in shape or too thin for a flap to be created. Often a surface laser procedure can still be used to correct the vision without creating a flap. The procedure will still result in clear vision comparable to LASIK, however, a longer recovery period is needed.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis)

Flap surgery (LASIK) creates a hinged piece of tissue with a controlled blade or precision femtosecond laser, and is returned to its original position. LASIK is a method of laser eye surgery performed by our specialists to correct the vision of people no longer wanting to wear glasses or contact lenses. Numbing drops are used and very little pain and discomfort is felt in the majority of our patients. LASIK reports a 96% success rate.

ICL (Implantable Contact Lens)

Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) are permanent lenses made to the patient’s prescription and inserted into the eye. ICL may be used for patients who are unsuitable for laser correction due to thin and irregular corneas, or high prescription. The procedure results in excellent quality of vision and is reversible if required.