How much nearsightedness can be corrected by laser vision correction surgery?
Most refractive surgeons now believe that -12D is the upper limit for good patient satisfaction, although LASIK can be used effectively under certain circumstances for prescriptions as high as -15D. Above these levels, other procedures involving the implanting of lenses inside the eye will probably become the procedures of choice. PRK is also approved by the FDA for treatments of high myopia. However, most surgeons prefer LASIK to PRK when treating more than 4D of myopia. Corneal thickness measurements are very important and this also limits the amount of correction that is performed. People previously “disqualified” based on the corneal thickness may now be eligible for LASIK with the IntraLase laser.
