Is LASIK Safe for Myopia?
What to Know Before You Consider Surgery
Short answer: LASIK is generally safe and effective for correcting myopia vision — but it does not reduce axial length or the structural risks associated with a long eye. It is a correction, not a cure. Most people are satisfied, but a subset experience persistent issues.
What LASIK does and doesn't do
LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea using a laser, changing how light focuses on the retina. For a myopic eye, it flattens the central cornea so that distant objects come into focus without glasses or contacts.
What LASIK does not do: change axial length. The eyeball remains the same physical length after LASIK as before. This means:
- The structural risk factors associated with high myopia (retinal thinning, detachment risk, maculopathy susceptibility) remain unchanged after LASIK.
- A person with −8D before LASIK who achieves 20/20 after surgery still needs the same dilated retinal exams and carries the same lifetime retinal risk as before surgery.
- LASIK does not slow myopia progression in children — it is not a myopia management treatment.
Who is and isn't a good candidate?
| Factor | Good candidate | Poor candidate / higher risk |
|---|---|---|
| Age | ≥21 with stable prescription ≥2yr | Under 21, or prescription still changing |
| Corneal thickness | Sufficient for planned ablation | Thin corneas — risk of ectasia |
| Prescription | Mild to moderate myopia (−1 to −8D) | Very high myopia (>−10D) — less predictable |
| Dry eye | None or mild pre-existing | Pre-existing moderate/severe dry eye — may worsen |
| Corneal shape | Normal topography | Irregular (forme fruste keratoconus) — contraindicated |
Common side effects
Most temporary effects resolve within weeks to months. A small percentage persist long-term:
- Dry eye: Very common immediately after surgery; usually resolves in 3–6 months. Persistent in ~5% of patients.
- Halos and glare: Night driving glare around lights is common initially; usually improves. Persistent in ~3% of patients.
- Undercorrection or overcorrection: ~5–10% of patients need retreatment for residual prescription.
- Corneal ectasia: Rare (<1% in properly screened patients) but serious — progressive corneal thinning. Screening is critical.
LASIK vs myopia management — different goals
LASIK and myopia management are not competing alternatives — they address different problems at different life stages:
- Myopia management (childhood): Slows axial elongation to prevent high myopia, reducing lifetime structural risk.
- LASIK (adulthood): Corrects the vision consequences of myopia once the eye has stabilised, eliminating need for glasses or contacts.
A child who has effective myopia management and finishes childhood with −3D instead of −7D will be a better LASIK candidate in adulthood — lower prescription, more corneal tissue available, more predictable result.
Not ready for LASIK? Track progression to see when stabilisation is near
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This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. MyopiaTracker is a decision-support tool — not a diagnostic device. MiSight® is a registered trademark of The Cooper Companies. Stellest® is a registered trademark of Essilor International. MiyoSmart® is a registered trademark of Hoya Corporation. Treatment availability and regulatory approval vary by country. Consult a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist for personalised advice.