There are several ways to correct myopia. Glasses and contact lenses compensate for it day to day. Refractive surgery can reduce or remove the need for glasses in adults, after an assessment that confirms the eyes are suitable. The choice depends on the degree of myopia, the thickness and shape of the cornea, age and lifestyle.
Key points
- Glasses and contact lenses: simple, reversible, to be renewed.
- Corneal laser: LASIK, PRK or SMILE, depending on the cornea and the correction.
- Implant (ICL): an option to discuss for some high myopias or thin corneas.
- No technique suits everyone: the pre-operative assessment decides.
Glasses and contact lenses
Glasses with concave lenses are a simple and safe solution. Contact lenses give a wider field of vision and suit sport, but require strict hygiene: poor handling exposes the eye to corneal infections. Both compensate for myopia without changing it, and the correction should be reviewed regularly.
LASIK
LASIK combines two lasers: a femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap, then an excimer laser reshapes the cornea underneath before the flap is repositioned. Visual recovery is quick. It requires a cornea of suitable thickness and shape.
Good to know
Like any surgery, refractive surgery carries risks, which are explained during the consultation. Results vary from person to person and do not prevent presbyopia from appearing with age.
PRK
PRK reshapes the cornea at the surface, without a flap. It preserves more corneal thickness and suits in particular thin corneas and people exposed to eye injuries. Recovery is more gradual and the first days are less comfortable than with LASIK.
SMILE
SMILE uses a femtosecond laser to sculpt a thin lens of tissue inside the cornea, which is removed through a small incision. It does not create a flap. Its indications are discussed case by case during the assessment.
Implants (ICL)
When myopia is high or the cornea too thin for laser, a phakic implant (ICL) may be considered: a soft lens placed inside the eye, in front of the natural lens, which stays in place. The implant can be removed. After about 50, or with an early cataract, replacing the natural lens with an implant may also be discussed.
Who can have surgery?
Refractive surgery is generally intended for adults over 18 whose myopia has been stable for at least a year, without corneal disease (such as keratoconus) or other progressive eye disease. It is postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The pre-operative assessment (topography, corneal thickness, full examination) determines whether a technique is suitable and which one. Learn more: Am I a candidate? and LASIK or PRK: the comparison.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
There is no technique that suits everyone. The choice between glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, PRK, SMILE or an implant depends on your eyes and needs; it is made with the ophthalmologist after an assessment.
Reshaping of the cornea is durable in most cases. Slight regression remains possible, and presbyopia will appear with age as for everyone.
Yes, the laser corrects both at the same time when the cornea is suitable.
In France it is not covered by the national health insurance. Some complementary insurers offer an allowance; check with yours.
This general information does not replace a consultation: only an eye examination can establish a diagnosis and discuss a suitable treatment.