Nearsightedness (Myopia)

People who suffer from nearsightedness have difficulties in recognizing or seeing distant objects clearly. Objects that are nearby can be recognized by them without any problems. The sharp image of distant objects is projected not directly on the retina in nearsighted people, but already before it. Therefore, the image on the retina becomes blurred or unclear. A common cause of this effect is an eyeball that is too long (axial myopia). However, a too pronounced refractive power in the relation of lens, aqueous humor and cornea is also considered (refractive myopia).

1. Normal eye, 2. Nearsightedness

1. Glasses for nearsightedness, 2. Laser eye surgery for nearsightedness

Treatment of nearsightedness

Glasses or contact lenses are the conventional options for correcting nearsightedness. However, an eye operation with a laser allows sharp vision even without glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK

The standard procedure for correcting nearsightedness with laser eye surgery is called LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis). Here, the surgeon corrects the thickness of the cornea with a laser after folding back an extremely thin corneal flap. High-tech devices like the femtosecond laser allow a particularly gentle procedure.

ICL – implantable contact lens for myopia

As an alternative to laser treatment, the use of lenses has become more and more established since the 1990s. The principle is the same as with a contact lens, except that the ophthalmologist permanently implants implants the lens into the eye without removing the body's own lens beforehand. The preliminary examinations are similar to those for planning laser treatment. The eye surgeon implants the foldable extra lens through an access about 2 millimeters wide at the edge of the cornea. It comes to rest behind the iris and in front of the human lens. The ICL can be used for both myopia and hyperopia .