Laser Eye Surgery For Very High Prescriptions
In the 21st century, despite pretty undisputable evidence to the contrary, many people still believe the world is flat and that we’ve never actually been to space.
Some people still believe, particularly in India, that the ancient religious practice of drinking your own urine is a cure-all remedy that can even lead to enlightenment.
And other people still believe that this whole global warming thing is a complete sham, being fabricated as simply another way to exercise political influence and control people.
Such believes can be hard to shift, particularly when there was once some truth in them.
One of these myths in the Laser Eye Surgery world is that the treatment is not an option for those with very high prescriptions, with the only option on the table being synthetic lens implants.
Not too long ago — much more recent than ancient India — this used to be the case. If you wanted to free yourself from glasses or contact lenses, then you could opt to have an artificial lens implanted to replace your eye’s faulty natural lens.
Even today this is still the recommended option at some clinics. However, this is usually a matter of the clinic lacking the technology or expertise to treat very high prescriptions. And so today, the belief that the only way to treat high prescriptions is with synthetic lenses is nothing but an old-world myth.
A new age of high profile treatments
Just like the moon landing footage to flat Earthers, our clinic is clear and indisputable evidence that Laser Eye Surgery can treat high prescriptions.
For almost a decade now we’ve been treating patients with very high prescriptions. We’re able to do this due to a combination of world-class technology, the expertise of our surgeons, and the fact we believe in giving every patient the best possible outcome.
Our pioneering approach to developing ‘High Profile’ treatments has established London Vision Clinic as world-leaders in treating very high prescriptions.
To give you an idea of where the rest of the industry is at, Professor Dan Reinstein, lead laser eye surgeon at London Vision Clinic, says that, “generally speaking, traditional Laser Eye Surgery can only correct prescriptions up to a maximum of between -8 and -10.
This is because, in LASIK, the most widespread version of Laser Eye Surgery, in order to get to the corneal bed and remove refractive errors, the surgeon cuts a circular flap in the surface of the eye — a bit like creating a doorway to the underlying tissue.
The higher the refractive error (ie the higher the prescription), the more tissue needs to be removed to correct it. Therefore, the cornea must be thick enough to allow for the procedure to take place. Most people simply don’t have thick enough corneas to allow enough the necessary reshaping to correct high prescriptions – making them unsuitable for treatment.
However, although LASIK has become somewhat synonymous with the words Laser Eye Surgery, today it is only one of a number of options available. For example, when it comes to treating presbyopia we have PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision. And when it comes to treating high prescriptions, at least at London Vision Clinic, we have the revolutionary ReLEx SMILE treatment.
With SMILE, people with thinner corneas and who have prescriptions of higher than -10 can be treated simply because there is no need to make a flap in the corneal surface.
Instead, we remove the tissue from the centre of the cornea through a tiny hole made at the side of the eye, leaving the front of the cornea intact.
To do this, SMILE uses an extremely precise laser to create micro-pulses beneath the surface of the cornea. The patient feels virtually nothing during the surgery thanks to anaesthetic eye drops and the fact that contact with the eye is minimal and gentle.
What’s more, thanks to the minimally-invasive technique, SMILE can significantly reduce or even eliminate the side-effect of post-operative dry eye, which people often experience temporarily after traditional Laser Eye Surgery.
If you’d like to find out more about Laser Eye Surgery for high prescriptions or book a consultation at London Vision Clinic, give us a call on 020 7224 1005 or send a message to our friendly team.
View Comments (28)
My prescription is-33in both eyes worn contact lenses over 40yrs would I be a suitable candidate and what level of vision I would expect following surgery.
Hi Gwen,
Apologies for the delay getting back to you. To clarify, did you mean your prescription is -3.0?
Kind regards,
London Vision Clinic
Hi, my prescription is -14.50 in both eyes and I also have astigmatism. Would I be suitable for treatment in any way?
Thanks
Hi Dominic,
In order to assess your likely suitability for laser eye surgery, we would need to speak to you on the phone and ask you some more detailed questions about your eyes, and also about what you hope to achieve from treatment. Suitability can depend not only on your prescription itself, but also on other factors relating to your ocular anatomy and visual quality.
As a first step, the best thing would be for you to call us on 020 7224 1005, or email details of your most recent glasses prescription to info@londonvisionclinic.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
London Vision Clinic
Hi, I'm short sighted -14.50 in both eyes with astigmatism, will I be able to have any form of laser eye treatment?
Thanks
Hi Dominic,
In order to assess your likely suitability for laser eye surgery, we would need to speak to you on the phone and ask you some more detailed questions about your eyes, and also about what you hope to achieve from treatment. Suitability can depend not only on your prescription itself, but also on other factors relating to your ocular anatomy and visual quality.
As a first step, the best thing would be for you to call us on 020 7224 1005, or email details of your most recent glasses prescription to info@londonvisionclinic.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
London Vision Clinic
Hi, what's the minimum age to do this procedure? I'm only 16 and have severe myopia already, what's the highest prescription this can treat?
I am 22 years old, ill wait another year to research;
my latest rx: R:-5.00/-0.75X7
L: -4.50/-0.50X3
I think my pupil diameter is 7.8mm
I do have slight dry eye but its only noticeable when around air-con.
I know a lot of factors effect suitability, but i just want to know, which treatment do people with my RX, get.
Hi Bilal,
I am afriad that we cannot diagnose treatments without seeing a patient. Based on your prescription I see no contraindicators to you have surgery at the stage. It would ultimately be up to the surgeon as to wat procedure would get you the best possible outcome in the safest possible way. If you have any further questions- please call the clinic on 0207 224 1005.
Thanks,
London Vision Clinic
Hi my prescription is +8 with astigmatism. Will i be legible for laser surgery.
Hi David, your treatment is in the upper limits of what we can treat with a laser. We do have great experience treating high prescriptions and those previously deemed unsuitable, so we may find an alternative treatment more suitable for you. Give a Patient Care Coordinator a call to discuss more on 020 7224 1005.
Many Thanks,
LoVC
Hi,
I have a prescription of +7.5 with moderate astigmatism in my left eye and a low amount in my right eye. Would this be within the expected limits for treatment?
Thanks
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your message. I would recommend calling to speak with a Patient Care Coordinator on 020 7224 1005 to discuss your options and book in an initial consultation, where your suitability can be determined.
Kind Regards,
London Vision Clinic
Hi,
My current prescription is - 16 in both eyes. I also have cylindrical power of 2.5, I'm wearing contact lenses for almost 17 yrs.
Is is possible to correct my far sightedness problem. I'm from India. And if there is a possible cure, I won't mind travelling for treatment. Let me know what you all think.
My prescription again is -17 in both eyes with a cylindrical power of 2.5
Hi Pritam,
If you would like to find out more information, we would suggest you send an email to us at info@londonvisionclinic.com, detailing your prescription history, any eye health issues, and your contact details. Then, a Patient Care Coordinator will be in touch shortly to discuss your options further.
Kind Regards,
London Vision Clinic
Hi my prescription of left eye sph -12.5, cyl -3.75 ax 20 and right eye sph -6.00 cyl -0.50 ax 45. I am now 30 years old.
What cant of surgery is possible for my eyes?
Thanks
Hi Derick,
If you are interested in laser vision correction, we recommend you get in touch with us on 020 7724 1005 to discuss options open to you.
Regards,
London Vision Clinic
I have a prescription of -10 (both eyes) would SMILE surgery work for me ?
Hi James,
You need to chat with one of our Patient Care Coordinators to determine your suitability, and then based on the complex testing at your initial consultation, we will be able to advise the best treatment which will deliver the optimal visual outcome for you. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to comment without this.
Kind Regards,
London Vision Clinic