Can You Have Laser Eye Surgery For Long-Sightedness?

Long-sightedness is a common visual error that affects millions, and at Optegra, we are frequently asked if permanent solutions exist. While many rely on glasses or contact lenses for close-up tasks, laser eye surgery for long-sightedness is often a more effective, lifestyle-changing solution. Read on as our experts explore how laser eye treatment for long-sightedness can restore greater clarity.

What Is Long-Sightedness (Hyperopia)?

‘Long-sightedness’ is the commonly used term for a condition called hyperopia. People with long-sightedness struggle to focus on nearby objects, and in more advanced cases, distance vision may also appear blurry.

How Does Long-Sightedness Affect Your Vision?

If you find yourself squinting to read a text message or experiencing eye strain or headaches after computer work, you likely have some degree of hyperopia. Common challenges include:

• Reading small print.
• Working on digital screens.
• Detail-oriented tasks, like sewing or DIY.

Expert Tip

“Many people mistake long-sightedness for presbyopia (age-related reading loss). While the symptoms are similar, hyperopia is about the shape of the eye, whereas presbyopia is about the natural lens in the eye losing flexibility. A comprehensive eye test is the only way to know which treatment is right for you.” — Mr Alex Shortt, Optegra Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

What Causes Long-Sightedness?

Hyperopia is primarily determined by genetics (family history). As the eye develops between birth and age eight, it can sometimes “come up short” in length. Environmental factors play a minimal role in this developmental shortfall.

However, some adults only notice symptoms after age 40. This is because the young eye is often flexible enough to “compensate” for the blurriness. As we age, our natural lens, which also helps us focus, hardens. That ability to compensate for a smaller, flatter eye shape disappears, making laser eye surgery for long-sighted patients a popular topic for those in their 40s and 50s.

Treatment Options: Beyond Glasses and Lenses

Now that we’ve explained exactly what long-sightedness is and what causes it, we can look at how best to treat it. The good news is that there are several options available for correcting long-sightedness.

Glasses or contact lenses

An option for many people with long-sightedness is the use of glasses or contact lenses to help their eyes focus. These can be a great solution for some people, but these options can come with some drawbacks and don’t work for everyone. 

Firstly, glasses and lenses can be expensive, especially when you consider that they need to be changed to keep up with your prescription, usually every few years. If you develop hyperopia when you’re young, that can result in a lot of glasses and lenses over the course of your lifetime.

Secondly, glasses can get broken, they go out of fashion, they can be left or lost, and they don’t suit everyone. Plus, they are not suitable for some activities, such as sports. Meanwhile, contact lenses can have their own set of problems, including discomfort and even risks of infection.

Laser Eye Surgery

For many, laser eye surgery for long-sightedness is the gold standard for freedom from glasses and contact lenses. This procedure works by using a precision laser to subtly reshape and steepen the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. By adjusting this curvature, the eye is enabled to focus light rays correctly onto the retina, which can significantly reduce or even eradicate your reliance on glasses or contact lenses.

At Optegra, our laser eye surgery options for long-sightedness include LASIK and LASEK treatments, as well as SMILE and, for those over 40, PRESBYOND. To ensure the best results, our expert ophthalmic surgeons conduct a detailed suitability assessment to determine which laser eye surgery is most effective for your specific prescription and eye health. If laser eye surgery isn’t for you, Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) or Refractive Lens Exchange surgery might be a suitable alternative.

Expert Tip

“LASIK is often the preferred choice for hyperopia due to its rapid recovery time, but LASEK remains an excellent, high-precision alternative for patients with slightly thinner corneas. During your consultation, we use advanced corneal mapping to decide exactly which path will give you the sharpest visual outcome.” – Mr Alex Shortt, Optegra Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision

For patients who want to treat both their long-sightedness and presbyopia without replacing the natural lens, we offer a specialised treatment called PRESBYOND. This is an advanced form of laser eye surgery for long-sightedness that goes beyond traditional monovision.

By using a precision laser to create a blended vision effect, one eye is optimised for distance and the other for near vision, with a shared blend zone in the middle. This allows the brain to merge the images naturally, providing a full range of focus from your mobile phone screen to the distant horizon. It’s an excellent option for those over 40 who want to eliminate the need for reading glasses while simultaneously correcting their long-sightedness.

Lens Replacement Surgery

Another sophisticated treatment option is refractive lens exchange. While laser eye surgery for long-sightedness focuses on the surface of the eye, this pioneering treatment involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with a specially selected intraocular lens (IOL).

This treatment is particularly effective for patients with high prescriptions or those hyperopics over 40 who may also be experiencing the early stages of cataracts or presbyopia.  Because the artificial lens is tailored to your unique prescription, it can correct a range of visual errors, including long-sightedness, and once the natural lens is removed, this ensures that you will never develop cataracts in the future.

Is Laser Eye Treatment for Long-Sightedness Right for You?

Laser eye surgery for long-sightedness is highly effective, but success depends on several key factors. First, you must have prescription stability, meaning your prescription should have remained unchanged for at least 12 months. 

Your overall eye health is also vital; your eyes must be free from underlying conditions. This will be discussed at your consultation if this applies to you. Finally, age plays a role; while treatment is certainly available for younger adults, it is often most transformative for those noticing age-related vision decline.

Book a Free Consultation at Optegra

Are you tired of searching for your glasses just to read a menu? Our world-class ophthalmic surgeons are here to help you find the best laser eye treatment for long-sightedness tailored to your unique eyes.

Book a free, virtual consultation today to meet our expert team and take the first step toward a life without limits.