Myopia treatment
Myopia (short-sightedness or near-sightedness) is an increasing problem in the world and can cause retinal problems in older age and other eye problems. Myopia generally progresses at young ages, with the prescription getting stronger. However, it can also progress in late teens and in older adults and this can be a worry. There are increasing numbers of myopia control treatments on the market, and the expert ophthalmology consultants at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre can give you impartial and up-to-date information on what treatments might suit you best to slow the progression of your myopia.
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What is it for?
To treat shortsightedness (myopia) and enhance your vision
How is myopia diagnosed?
Myopia is usually diagnosed during an eye examination. At The London Eye Clinic Centre, we have expert diagnostic tests to help your consultant look after this problem.
You鈥檒l likely do a visual acuity test. Your ophthalmologist may then use a device called a retinoscope, which uses light to measure the refractive error in your eye.
In addition, at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, we can perform other diagnostic tests to ensure a comprehensive assessment of your eye health.
For example, we might measure your eye length (biometry), examine the curvature of your cornea (corneal topography), or create a map of your retina using optical coherence tomography or state-of-the-art Optos photography.
If your myopia is progressing and causing you anxiety and difficulty seeing clearly, you can speak to one of our consultants who are experts in this field.
Myopia treatments
For children, some treatments can slow the worsening of myopia, such as prescription lenses, contact lenses and eye drops. We don鈥檛 treat children at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, but our friendly team will be able to direct you to another children鈥檚 eye clinic for assessment and treatment. Professor Hammond and Professor Jain specialise in paediatric ophthalmology, as well as strabismus and may be able to offer you advice on your child鈥檚 symptoms.
Our ophthalmologists can also help with the complications of myopia in later adult life, such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. For example, they can advise on relevant surgical treatments if you no longer want to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Adults with a stable glasses prescription may be eligible for laser eye surgery if they wish to correct their vision without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.
This form of surgery is not currently performed at AOA体育平台 Eye Centre, but some of our surgeons do perform this in other clinics.
Your consultant may recommend lens exchange surgery if you are an adult with a very high degree of myopia which makes you unsuitable for laser eye surgery, if you have started to develop cataracts or simply if you no longer want to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Lens exchange surgery is a surgical procedure in which your natural eye lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens made from silicone or high-grade plastic. Depending on your needs, your surgeon may also provide options such as inserting an artificial lens in front of your natural lens or into the cornea of your eye.
You will be able to choose the type of lens and procedure you have based on your individual needs. The surgery usually takes 15鈥�30 minutes.
Another less common surgical technique keeps your natural lens in place in the eye and inserts another lens (similar to a contact lens) in front of your own natural lens. Alternatively, this may be 鈥榗lipped鈥� to the iris, the coloured part of your eye.
Recovery Timeline & Aftercare
Lens exchange or secondary lens surgery is a day-case procedure, meaning you will be able to go home on the same day. You will need someone to drive you home from the clinic. The procedure is generally only performed on one eye at a time, meaning you will need to come back to have surgery on the other eye one to two weeks later. However, in some situations, your surgeon might discuss the possibility of surgery on both eyes at the same time.
After surgery, you may experience blurred vision, double vision, red or bloodshot eyes, watery eyes, or a gritty feeling in your eyes. These symptoms are temporary and should clear up within a few days.
Once healed, you may no longer need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses. This is because the lens fitted during the procedure is designed to correct your refractive error, similar to your glasses or contact lens prescription.
* We offer fast appointments Monday - Friday only.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally.
Alternatively, you can pay for yourself (self-pay). If you are paying for yourself, we have finance options available with .
Find out more about paying for your treatment here.
To book an appointment, call us today on: 0203 553 3670