After developing myopia, the eyes bulge outward—can surgery correct this?

Eye bulging after myopia cannot be cured by surgery. Protruding eyes caused by myopia are mostly due to elongation of the eye's axial length, which is a structural change. Current surgical procedures cannot shorten the axial length or reverse such structural changes; they can only correct vision, not improve the appearance of eye bulging. If eye protrusion is accompanied by symptoms such as pain or sudden vision loss, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to rule out other underlying conditions.

In individuals with myopia, the eye's axial length gradually increases as the degree of myopia worsens, causing the eyeball to stretch and protrude outward. This structural alteration is irreversible. Refractive surgeries for myopia, such as laser surgery or intraocular lens implantation, primarily aim to correct refractive errors and enable light to focus accurately on the retina. These procedures cannot alter the already-elongated axial length and therefore cannot alleviate eye bulging.

Some people may feel that their eye bulging has improved after surgery, but this is usually because the visual distortion caused by wearing eyeglasses before surgery disappears, rather than an actual repositioning of the eyeball. If significant eye bulging is present, it is important first to rule out other causes such as thyroid-related eye disease, instead of relying on myopia surgery for resolution.

To prevent worsening of eye bulging, avoid prolonged near-work, control the progression of myopia, maintain proper eye usage habits, have regular eye examinations, consume foods rich in vitamins, and periodically look into the distance to relax the eye muscles.