Treatable Eye Conditions: Myopia (Short-Sightedness)
Myopia (known more commonly as short-sightedness or near-sightedness) is the most common refractive error worldwide. It is believed to affect around one in three people in the UK, and some studies indicate that its prevalence is on the rise.
So, what exactly is this common eye problem?
In people with myopia, the eyeball is slightly too long or the cornea is too curved. This causes light entering the eye to be focused in front of the retina (the photosensitive layer at the back of the eye) rather than on it. As a result, objects at a distance appear blurred.
For example, short-sightedness can affect your ability to read road signs, see numbers on buses, or even recognise people’s faces.
“It’s worth confirming just how life-changing the surgery is for those with high myopia (my prescription was previously -7.5)… My expectations were low – I’d often been told my prescription was too high and I would have been happy even with a partial correction…
“I hadn’t expected to jump from 20:20 corrected vision to 20:16 without glasses. Having worn glasses since I was a child, I have genuinely never seen as clearly in my life as I do now. “
Treating Myopia with Laser Eye Surgery
Patients with myopia will typically rely on glasses or contact lenses to correct their distance vision. While these visual aids can be extremely effective in correcting short-sightedness, they come with several drawbacks that can significantly impact every
day life.
Thankfully, many cases of myopia are easily treatable with Laser Eye Surgery. In fact, the procedure was developed around treating this common refractive error!
At London Vision Clinic, we have been successfully treating patients with myopia for over two decades. Moreover, our access to the latest state-of-the-art Laser Eye Surgery technology means we are often able to treat much higher prescriptions than many other providers.
We offer a range of procedures: PRK/LASEK, LASIK, and ReLEx SMILE – all of which are extremely effective at correcting short-sightedness. The treatment works by removing a small amount of tissue, changing the shape of the cornea. This adjusts the way light is reflected into the eye, allowing it to focus more directly on the retina. For most patients, this means finally being able to ditch those pesky glasses and contact lenses!
Many patients find that this offers a significant improvement in quality of life. Many activities become easier without the distraction of external visual aids – from taking a shower in the morning to enjoying your favourite sports and hobbies. Myopia patients also often find it helps in social situations, as faces are easier to recognise and read without glasses.
Get in touch with the team today to find out if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery (up to 97% of people are!).
Our Results Treating Myopia
At London Vision Clinic, we are proud of other refractive errors!). Indeed, 100% of our patients with myopia up to -9.00 D achieved vision to the UK driving standard of 20/32 or better!
Moreover, 97% of patients with prescriptions up to -4.5 D attained better than 20/20 vision (20/16 vision). You can find out more about our patient outcomes at our Results and Statistics page.
So, if you’re tired of living your life restricted by short-sightedness, we can almost certainly help. Find out if you’re suitable for myopia treatment at our Harley Street clinic and take the first step toward ditching your glasses for years to come.
Get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation using the form below.
