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Myopia Treatment – (Short-Sightedness)

New Vision Clinics explains myopia surgery and offers LASIK, PRK and SILK treatments, with recovery timelines, costs, and clinic locations.

Short Sight, Near Sight, Myopia

I Need Laser Eye Surgery for Short Sightedness – What Are My Options?

Myopia is the medical term for the eye condition commonly known as shortsightedness or nearsightedness. To correct this condition, there are a number of different myopia treatment options available including LASIK, SILK and Advanced PRK surgery.

People with myopia see near objects clearly but their distance vision is blurred. The blurring of vision associated with myopia is typically caused by the eyeball being too long or the cornea too steep. This causes the incoming light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Signs of myopia are often noticed during school screenings or after parents notice that their children are having difficulty seeing street signs or the television. The condition can be inherited and usually starts at primary school age and stabilises in their late teens to early 20s. If you have shortsightedness, you may also experience tired eyes from overstraining, headaches, as well as squinting or frowning.

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Myopia Surgery

People are affected by myopia with different degrees of severity.

Common treatments include glasses and contact lenses which work by refocusing the incoming light rays directly onto the retina. Short sighted laser eye surgery produces the same corrective result, and is a permanent change to vision with the added benefit of independence of glasses or contact lenses.

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The latest technology

Eye surgery for short sightedness

For those suffering from myopia and looking for a way to enjoy a life free from the hassle of glasses or contact lenses, laser eye surgery for short sightedness is the ideal solution.

When treated with an Excimer laser, the cornea is flattened to refocus the incoming light rays directly onto the retina, thus restoring clear and focused vision.

If you have short-sightedness we can almost certainly help. Find out more about treating your myopia with the latest in laser eye surgery by checking your suitability.

LASIK Treatment

LASIK eye surgery for myopia is a safe, painless procedure. Over 80% of laser eye surgery patients choose it, and more than 35 million people worldwide have enjoyed its benefits. Our Melbourne LASIK results are outstanding.

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PRK Treatment

Prior to the development of LASIK for myopia, Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK eye surgery was the first procedure. It has undergone many advances and innovations since its introduction more than 30 years ago.

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SILK Treatment

SILK™ (Smooth Incision Lenticular Keratomileusis) is an advanced keyhole eye surgery for short sightedness and astigmatism that can free patients from glasses or contacts. Most enjoy excellent vision from day one with fast recovery, though results may vary.

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Treatments

How do they compare?

The total time for myopia surgery is between 15-20 minutes for both eyes, although the laser treatment itself lasts only seconds. Long-term results are equally as good with either method although good quality vision is reached quicker with LASIK and SILK. For this reason LASIK and SILK surgery is the preferred choice for correcting vision for most patients.

PRK

Prior to the laser treatment, the epithelial layer of the cornea is gently brushed away.

After the myopia surgery, a bandage contact lens is placed onto the eye, while the epithelium grows back usually within three days.

Healing takes longer to achieve, compared to LASIK and SILK, with functional vision achieved within seven days.

Excellent vision is expected within a month equivalent to LASIK although most patients can drive and watch TV and return to work in a week.

LASIK

Prior to the laser treatment, a hinged flap is created on the cornea either with a laser or a microkeratome.

After the laser treatment, the flap is replaced. The epithelium has been minimally disturbed explaining the quick recovery of clear vision.

Healing is rapid, compared to PRK.

Excellent vision is reached within a day, and most patients can return to work as soon as the check-up on the following morning.

SILK

Laser is used to create a lens within the cornea.

After the laser treatment, the lenticule is removed via a small key-hole incision to reshape the cornea.

Healing is fast, compared to PRK.

Excellent vision is achieved within days, and most patients can drive and return to work in this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for laser myopia surgery (LASIK/PRK/SILK)?

Generally yes if you’re 18+, your prescription has been stable (≈12 months), your eyes are healthy, and you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. Final suitability—and which procedure (LASIK, PRK or SILK) suits you—requires a comprehensive eye exam.

How long is recovery—and when can I drive or go back to work?

Most people are cleared to drive and work the next day after LASIK, within a few days after SILK/SMILE, and about 1–2 weeks after PRK; full visual stability and dry-eye settling can take a few more weeks. Your surgeon will confirm timing at your post-op check.

What are the risks or side effects of myopia surgery?

Temporary dry eye, glare/halos and vision fluctuation are the most common; serious complications are rare when candidates are properly selected, and enhancements are sometimes needed.

Can laser eye surgery fix long sightedness?

Yes. Laser eye surgery for long sightedness can successfully reshape the cornea so that light focuses correctly on the retina. Procedures such as LASIK and PRK are highly effective options depending on your prescription and corneal thickness.

How does laser eye surgery help with long sightedness?

Laser eye surgery long sighted treatment works by subtly steepening the central cornea. This corrects the way your eye focuses close-up objects, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Am I a good candidate for laser eye surgery for long sightedness?

Most adults with stable prescriptions are suitable for laser eye surgery for long sightedness, provided their eyes are healthy and their corneas meet the required thickness and shape. A comprehensive eye assessment will confirm your eligibility and which procedure is safest.

What is myopia surgery?

Myopia surgery refers to laser procedures designed to correct short-sightedness, where distant objects appear blurred. LASIK, PRK, and SILK are the most common techniques, each reshaping the cornea so that light focuses sharply on the retina.

What are my options for laser eye surgery for short sightedness?

Several proven treatments exist for laser eye surgery for short sightedness, including LASIK, Advanced PRK, and SILK. Each procedure offers permanent vision correction and can significantly reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

Is eye surgery for short sightedness safe?

Yes. Modern eye surgery for short sightedness is considered very safe when performed by an experienced refractive surgeon. Most patients achieve excellent long-term vision with minimal downtime and a low rate of complications.

How effective is short sighted laser eye surgery?

Short sighted laser eye surgery delivers very reliable results. Many patients reach 6/6 (20/20) vision or better, with clarity improving rapidly in the first hours to days depending on the procedure. Results are long-lasting, and enhancements are rarely needed.