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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Laser surgery for nearsightedness uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea. The goal is to have you see clearly without glasses or contact lenses or to be less dependent on them. There are two main types: PRK, LASEK, epi-LASIK, and LASIK have very similar long-term results. LASIK is the most common, but many people have one of the other types done instead because of the shape and condition of their eyes. LASEK and PRK may also be safer for people with certain lifestyles, such as professional athletes, police officers, and firefighters. Other types of surgery for nearsightedness include radial keratotomy, corneal ring implants, and intraocular lens implants. Talk to your doctor to see if one of these is a better option for you. Laser surgery gives most people 20/40 vision or better. Most doctors consider 20/40 vision a successful result. Side effects and problems from surgery may vary slightly depending on which type of surgery you have. Most side effects either go away on their own or can be treated and fixed. In general, side effects or problems from surgery may include: Because laser surgery for nearsightedness has only been available since the 1990s, experts still don't know if there are problems that may occur many years later. Serious problems that threaten vision are rare. These include infection, sores on the cornea, and higher pressure inside the eye, which can lead to glaucoma. Laser surgery for nearsightedness is an elective procedure. This means that it's done for personal, not medical, reasons. You must decide for yourself whether the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks. Before you have surgery, an ophthalmologist will examine you to see if you are a candidate for the surgery. You may not be able to have the surgery if: You may not want this surgery if it could affect your job. Some employers don't allow certain workers to have this surgery because of the slight risk that it can cause permanent problems. Aircraft pilots, for example, should check with their employers before deciding to have this surgery. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I've decided to have LASIK surgery because I am tired of wearing glasses all the time. I hate the way I look in glasses, and I've had lots of problems with contact lenses. I've used glasses and contacts all my life, but in the past I never really had a choice. I know there are a few risks involved with having LASIK surgery, but for me the possibility of being able to see pretty well without glasses or contacts is worth it. Abby, age 38 I'm not going to have surgery. It would be nice to be able to see better without my glasses, but I'm not willing to risk the vision I have just so that I don't have to wear my glasses anymore. My doctor is pretty sure I would need to wear glasses some of the time anyway, even if I did have the surgery. I know people who have been very pleased with the results, but I am too afraid that one of those rare complications will happen to me. Harry, age 44 I'm going to have laser surgery so that I don't have to rely so heavily on my contact lenses. For the most part, I haven't really minded wearing contacts. But I do participate in a lot of sports and outdoor activities, and contacts can be a real hassle when I'm out mountain-biking or playing soccer or doing anything like that. Glasses aren't much better in those situations. Besides, it sure would be nice to be able to wake up in the morning and see things clearly without having to put in my contacts first. Tomas, age 27 I'm not going to have surgery right now. Some of the procedures are still fairly new, and the surgery is very expensive. I would like to wait until there is more information about the long-term results and until the doctors in my area become more experienced with the newer procedures. I will probably reconsider having surgery in a few years, but I'm not ready to have it at this point. Sally, age 28 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have laser surgery for nearsightedness Reasons not to have laser surgery I want to see well without having to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time. I don't mind wearing glasses or contacts. The idea of having this surgery doesn't bother me. The idea of having this surgery bothers me a lot. I think I'd do better at my job or my favorite activities if I didn't have to wear glasses or contacts. Wearing glasses or contacts doesn't get in the way of my job or my favorite activities. I'm willing to accept the risk that surgery may only give me 20/40 vision. I don't see the point of surgery if it can't give me 20/20 vision. For me, the benefits outweigh the possible risks of surgery. I don't want to risk having problems from surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having laser surgery for nearsightedness NOT having surgery Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Laser surgery for nearsightedness uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea. The goal is to have you see clearly without glasses or contact lenses or to be less dependent on them. There are two main types: PRK, LASEK, epi-LASIK, and LASIK have very similar long-term results. LASIK is the most common, but many people have one of the other types done instead because of the shape and condition of their eyes. LASEK and PRK may also be safer for people with certain lifestyles, such as professional athletes, police officers, and firefighters. Other types of surgery for nearsightedness include radial keratotomy, corneal ring implants, and intraocular lens implants. Talk to your doctor to see if one of these is a better option for you. Laser surgery gives most people 20/40 vision or better. Most doctors consider 20/40 vision a successful result. Side effects and problems from surgery may vary slightly depending on which type of surgery you have. Most side effects either go away on their own or can be treated and fixed. In general, side effects or problems from surgery may include: Because laser surgery for nearsightedness has only been available since the 1990s, experts still don't know if there are problems that may occur many years later. Serious problems that threaten vision are rare. These include infection, sores on the cornea, and higher pressure inside the eye, which can lead to glaucoma. Laser surgery for nearsightedness is an elective procedure. This means that it's done for personal, not medical, reasons. You must decide for yourself whether the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks. Before you have surgery, an ophthalmologist will examine you to see if you are a candidate for the surgery. You may not be able to have the surgery if: You may not want this surgery if it could affect your job. Some employers don't allow certain workers to have this surgery because of the slight risk that it can cause permanent problems. Aircraft pilots, for example, should check with their employers before deciding to have this surgery. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I've decided to have LASIK surgery because I am tired of wearing glasses all the time. I hate the way I look in glasses, and I've had lots of problems with contact lenses. I've used glasses and contacts all my life, but in the past I never really had a choice. I know there are a few risks involved with having LASIK surgery, but for me the possibility of being able to see pretty well without glasses or contacts is worth it." — Abby, age 38 "I'm not going to have surgery. It would be nice to be able to see better without my glasses, but I'm not willing to risk the vision I have just so that I don't have to wear my glasses anymore. My doctor is pretty sure I would need to wear glasses some of the time anyway, even if I did have the surgery. I know people who have been very pleased with the results, but I am too afraid that one of those rare complications will happen to me." — Harry, age 44 "I'm going to have laser surgery so that I don't have to rely so heavily on my contact lenses. For the most part, I haven't really minded wearing contacts. But I do participate in a lot of sports and outdoor activities, and contacts can be a real hassle when I'm out mountain-biking or playing soccer or doing anything like that. Glasses aren't much better in those situations. Besides, it sure would be nice to be able to wake up in the morning and see things clearly without having to put in my contacts first." — Tomas, age 27 "I'm not going to have surgery right now. Some of the procedures are still fairly new, and the surgery is very expensive. I would like to wait until there is more information about the long-term results and until the doctors in my area become more experienced with the newer procedures. I will probably reconsider having surgery in a few years, but I'm not ready to have it at this point." — Sally, age 28 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have laser surgery for nearsightedness Reasons not to have laser surgery I want to see well without having to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time. I don't mind wearing glasses or contacts. The idea of having this surgery doesn't bother me. The idea of having this surgery bothers me a lot. I think I'd do better at my job or my favorite activities if I didn't have to wear glasses or contacts. Wearing glasses or contacts doesn't get in the way of my job or my favorite activities. I'm willing to accept the risk that surgery may only give me 20/40 vision. I don't see the point of surgery if it can't give me 20/20 vision. For me, the benefits outweigh the possible risks of surgery. I don't want to risk having problems from surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having laser surgery for nearsightedness NOT having surgery 1.
Do most people who have laser surgery for nearsightedness see better right away? 2.
Is laser surgery risk-free? 3.
Even if surgery gives you 20/20 vision, could you still need reading glasses when you get older? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: June 5, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardNearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is laser surgery for nearsightedness?
How well does laser surgery work?
What are the risks of surgery?
Are you a good candidate for surgery?
Compare your options
Personal stories about laser surgery for nearsightedness
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is laser surgery for nearsightedness?
How well does laser surgery work?
What are the risks of surgery?
Are you a good candidate for surgery?
2. Compare your options
Have laser surgery Wear glasses or contact lenses What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about laser surgery for nearsightedness
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.