Can patients with high myopia undergo laser surgery?
Disease description:
I am 18 years old this year. I didn't pay attention to eye habits when I was young and now have severe myopia. I would like to know if people with high myopia can undergo laser surgery.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
In general, patients with high myopia can undergo laser surgery. Laser surgery, clinically known as refractive surgery, is an effective vision correction method for patients with high myopia. This procedure uses the thermal energy generated by a laser beam to precisely target the corneal stroma, thereby improving corneal thickness and curvature to correct vision.
Patients must be at least 18 years old since the eyes of adolescents under 18 have not fully developed and their myopia prescriptions may be unstable, potentially leading to unsatisfactory surgical outcomes. Typically, laser surgery may be considered for myopia ranging from 100 to 1200 degrees; however, whether surgery is suitable depends on several factors, including corneal thickness. Corneal thickness is an important consideration in laser surgery. Since the procedure involves tissue ablation on the cornea, if the cornea is too thin, it may not withstand the ablation process, thereby increasing surgical risks. Therefore, the patient's corneal thickness must meet the surgical requirements.
Patients with high myopia also face relatively higher risks of postoperative complications, such as night glare and dry eye syndrome. Vision recovery may also be slower, requiring longer periods of observation and follow-up. It is recommended that patients undergo strict preoperative examinations and evaluations under the guidance of specialized ophthalmologists before undergoing laser surgery. Additionally, patients should be fully informed about the risks and potential complications of the surgery and ensure proper postoperative care and follow-up examinations.
