Are you no longer able to see what is in the middle distance without glasses or contact lenses?
Then you are suffering from short-sightedness.
The good news is: you don’t have to put up with this flaw. Thanks to modern laser methods, you can correct your poor eyesight and thus go through life without visual aids in the long term.
Read the following article to find out what methods there are for lasering short-sightedness and what the chances of success are.
What is myopia?
Short-sightedness is noticeable when you can no longer see objects clearly at medium or greater distances. Boundaries become blurred, you can no longer see details and can no longer read text.
How does myopia occur?
There are two possible causes of myopia:
The eyeball is too long
One cause of myopia is that the eyeball is too long in relation to the refractive power of the lens. In this case, it is called axial myopia. This occurs much more frequently than the second form of myopia and can even be observed in newborns.
The refractive power of the eye is too strong
The refractive power of the eye is influenced by various factors. These include the lens, the aqueous humor and the cornea. If the refractive power of the eye is too great in a normal eyeball depending on these factors, then in medicine this is referred to as refractive myopia.
In both cases, the focal point is in front of the retina and not inside as in people with normal vision.
What is the focal point? The focal point is the point inside the eye where the two parallel rays meet and produce a sharp image. If this focal point is not in the retina but in front of it, the image is blurred.
How does myopia manifest itself?
Often, short-sighted people do not notice their poor eyesight in everyday life. If they cannot see something clearly at a distance, they simply move a little closer. However, if you observe yourself closely, you can see the following symptoms of short-sightedness:
- People affected cannot recognize faces on the other side
- You can no longer read street names
- While driving, street signs blur in front of your eyes
- When you go for a walk, you can see the trees, but not the leaves
- Headaches after looking into the distance for a long time
Short-sighted people automatically squint their eyes to see better. This causes the pupil to shrink and the depth of field to regulate. The resulting facial expression
What forms of myopia are there?
In most cases, myopia is hereditary. The idea that it is caused by reading in the dark, for example, is just a myth that parents like to use as a method of education. There are three different types of myopia that are diagnosed.
Simple myopathy (myopia simplex)
This type of myopia is also known as school myopathy. It is particularly evident in school-age children and is treated by wearing glasses. Myopia simplex stabilizes again at the age of 20. It usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 13.
Benign, progressive myopathy (benign myopathy)
If myopia occurred in childhood and persists until the age of 30 with values of up to -12 dpt, it is known as progressive myopia. It then disappears on its own, just like simple myopathy.
Malignant myopia
This form is a severe form of short-sightedness that progressively increases over the course of a person’s life. The increase takes place over an unlimited period of time and is triggered by a strong overstretching of the eyeball. This leads to a significant visual impairment that can only be permanently corrected by laser therapy. One danger with this form is that in severe cases, the retina can become detached or damaged.
What is the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness?
These terms are often confused or even used synonymously. You can remember the following clues to distinguish them: If you are nearsighted, you can no longer see things clearly at a greater distance. You are farsighted if you can only see objects directly in front of your eyes as blurry.
Is myopia curable?
Yes. Thanks to modern treatment methods, short-sighted people have a good chance of regaining their normal vision.
A short-term solution is to wear glasses or contact lenses. These can correct the vision problem for the time being. However, many people who wear glasses or contact lenses are bothered by having to regularly buy new visual aids, clean them and have them readjusted by an optician. Laser eye surgery is therefore an ideal alternative for regaining normal vision permanently and without visual aids.
How to correct myopia with laser?
Myopia can be permanently corrected with the help of refractive surgery. This not only improves myopia, but even makes it possible to completely cure it. So if you don’t want to wear glasses or contact lenses for the rest of your life, laser eye surgery is a welcome alternative. The laser is used to correct the refractive power of the eye by flattening the cornea.
Who is laser eye surgery for short-sightedness suitable for?
Laser eye surgery for short-sightedness involves deep incisions in the cornea. For this reason, the cornea in the eye must have a minimum thickness of half a millimeter. Laser surgery for short-sightedness is only possible for diopter values of up to -10.
What methods of laser eye surgery are there?
Modern eye clinics offer various procedures depending on the diagnosis and the severity of the myopia. We present these to you in a compact overview.
Lasering myopia with the Lasik procedure
The Lasik procedure is the general method used today to laser myopia of up to -10 diopters. The cornea of the eye is removed and remodeled. This immediately improves vision. During the operation, the thinnest layer of the cornea is removed using a mechanically controlled precision knife. This creates a so-called corneal flap, which is simply folded to the side. The tissue is then removed with pinpoint accuracy using an excimer laser. The corneal flap is then folded back shut.
Lasering myopia with the Femto-Lasik procedure
This procedure is a further development of the femto laser. It can be used for myopia of up to -8 diopters. In contrast to the conventional femto procedure, the so-called femtosecond laser is used here. It creates a lateral incision in the cornea. This means that the corneal flap is not created with a knife, but with the laser.
The advantage of this procedure: Complications caused by the cut can be virtually eliminated. The laser cut is precisely calculated in advance and carried out automatically.
Lasering myopia with the PRK Lasek procedure
With this procedure, doctors can laser myopia even in patients with a very thin cornea. In comparison to the classic LASIK procedure, the PRK method removes the top layer of the cornea and rolls it up. After the treatment, this layer is pushed back and serves as protection for the cornea – like a plaster.
The advantage of this procedure: This method can also help patients who would otherwise not be eligible for laser eye surgery due to their thin cornea.
Lasering myopia with the Relex Smile procedure
This procedure is the gold standard for anyone who wants to have their short-sightedness lasered. The Relex Smile operation uses a highly developed femtosecond laser that prepares a very thin slice inside the cornea. This slice is removed through a minimal incision at the edge of the cornea. The cornea is corrected without cutting a flap.
The advantage of this procedure: It is a minimally invasive procedure for lasering myopia. All complications associated with cutting a flap can be ruled out. It is also ideal for treating astigmatism and dry eyes.
How dangerous is laser eye surgery for short-sightedness?
Thanks to the latest methods and experienced doctors, laser treatment of myopia is very safe. However, your doctor will inform you about any residual risks. These include the following risks that can occur after laser therapy:
- Sensitivity to light in the eyes
- dry eyes
- infections after surgery
- impairment of vision
- over- or under-correction of vision
Laser treatment for myopia: When will I be able to see clearly again after the procedure?
When you will regain your full visual acuity after the procedure depends on the method chosen. However, full vision usually occurs after 1 to 2 days. After about 2 to 5 days, you will also be able to drive again.
Does laser eye surgery for short-sightedness cause pain?
No, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is almost painless. Some patients complain of mild to moderate pain in the days following. However, this can be easily treated with standard painkillers.
Will I lose my visual aid if I have my myopia lasered?
As a rule, you will be able to see 100% clearly again after laser treatment. Even with a very high degree of visual impairment of -10 dioptres, there is a good chance that you will never have to wear glasses or contact lenses again. However, most people start to suffer from presbyopia at around the age of 45. This can make it necessary to wear glasses again.
Laser Eye Surgery Turkey
As great as the benefits of laser surgery for short-sighted patients are, it is often simply a question of cost. Laser eye surgery is not covered by statutory health insurance and costs several thousand euros.
Therefore, more and more patients are deciding to go to Turkey and have their short-sightedness lasered there. They save more than half the costs they would have to pay in Germany. These are specialized clinics that can offer laser surgery so cheaply due to the low cost of living.
How big is the cost advantage in Turkey?
In the UK, the cost of surgery is often measured based on the number of diopters. The greater the visual impairment, the more expensive the surgery. In Turkey, however, you pay a fixed price.
Laser Eye Surgery Turkey Cost:
| Cost per eye | Turkey | Europe | |
| iLasik | from 600 Euro | from 1500 Euro | |
| Relex Smile | from 1000 Euro | from 2500 Euro | |
| PRK / LASEK | from 400 Euro | from 1000 Euro |
Contact Health Travels to have laser myopia surgery in Turkey.
Conclusion: Laser treatment for myopia is worth it
Anyone suffering from short-sightedness can be permanently cured of their poor eyesight through laser surgery. There are various methods to restore vision. It is best to discuss which method is best for you with your doctor.