The Most Suitable Vision Correction Surgery for My Eyes_1

Just as every person has a unique facial structure, every human eye has its own distinct characteristics. Factors such as the shape of the eyeball, the size of the internal structures, and the thickness of the cornea vary significantly from person to person. Even if a particular vision correction surgery is highly praised, it may not be the right fit for your eyes, making effective vision correction difficult.

Before undergoing vision correction surgery, a thorough examination is conducted to determine the most suitable procedure for each patient. In today’s post, we’ll provide information to help you assess which vision correction surgery might be the best fit for your eyes before visiting a clinic.

1. If You Want Stable Vision After Surgery

Many people hesitate to undergo vision correction surgery or spend a lot of time researching it because they are concerned about maintaining stable vision after the procedure and potential side effects. One of the most common concerns following vision correction surgery is myopic regression.

Myopic regression refers to a gradual deterioration of the corrected vision over time, causing nearsightedness to return. While this is not a frequent occurrence, choosing the right procedure carefully can help minimize the risk of regression, ensuring a more stable long-term outcome.

▲ Vision Correction Surgery Is Best for My Eyes?

There are several reasons why myopic regression can occur after vision correction surgery, one of which is excessive corneal epithelial regrowth. This phenomenon is particularly common after LASEK surgery. If the removed corneal epithelium regenerates thicker than expected, the refractive correction effect may decrease.

The deeper and more extensive the epithelial removal, the higher the likelihood of myopia progressing again after surgery.

▲ Myopic Regression Due to Corneal Epithelial Deformation and Movement

Another cause of myopic regression occurs when the thinned corneal epithelium changes shape or shifts position due to internal eye pressure. During LASEK surgery, the corneal epithelium is removed, inevitably making the corneal surface thinner. Since the epithelial layer is the most durable part of the corneal structure, the risk of deformation is highest immediately after surgery due to the temporary loss of this protective layer.

▲ Changes in Corneal Thickness After Vision Correction Surgery

Although LASIK involves less tissue removal than LASEK, it also creates a thin corneal flap, which can similarly affect the corneal structure. Another factor contributing to myopic regression is axial length elongation.

As we age, the length of the eyeball gradually increases, potentially leading to the recurrence of myopia. Unlike the corneal epithelial reshaping process during vision correction surgery, axial length changes occur naturally over time.

Finally, lifestyle habits also play a crucial role.

In many cases, myopic regression develops over time due to habits that promote nearsightedness, such as prolonged near-work activities. Corneal epithelial regrowth or deformation-induced myopic regression usually occurs during the healing phase after surgery. Since this process is part of the cornea’s natural stabilization, the likelihood of regression significantly decreases if the healing progresses normally.

In contrast, axial length changes and lifestyle-related myopic regression often become noticeable only after the post-surgical stabilization phase, when vision begins to deteriorate again.

Can Myopic Regression Be Predicted Before Surgery?

While perfect prediction is difficult, there are ways to reduce the risk. Two major procedures that minimize myopic regression are SMILE and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery.

As mentioned earlier, myopic regression is mainly caused by corneal epithelial removal. SMILE surgery uses a femtosecond laser to create a small incision within the cornea without removing the epithelium, eliminating the need for tissue regrowth or significant thickness changes.

Additionally, for patients with thin corneas, corneal cross-linking can be performed alongside SMILE to maintain corneal strength, making SMILE one of the vision correction methods with the lowest risk of myopic regression.

ICL surgery is another option, as it preserves the cornea entirely, making myopic regression almost nonexistent with this procedure.

In the next post, we’ll discuss The Best Vision Correction Options for Those with Extremely Thin Corneas or Severe Myopia.

Stay tuned!