{"id":8827,"date":"2020-06-15T09:40:09","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T07:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T13:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T11:53:12","slug":"laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser vision correction for high defects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sl-skrot sl-skrot-689\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Refractive Error and Laser \u2013 In Brief<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indicative laser limits:<\/strong> myopia up to approximately -10 D, hyperopia up to approximately +4 D, astigmatism up to approximately 5\u20136 D \u2013 always provided the cornea is sufficiently thick and regular.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Above these limits<\/strong>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/lens-surgery\/phakic-lenses\/\">phakic lens (ICL)<\/a> is safer, correcting myopia up to -20 D without corneal intervention.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>After the age of 45<\/strong>, with a high refractive error and early presbyopia, <a href=\"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/lens-surgery\/refractive-lens-exchange\/\">refractive lens exchange<\/a> is considered.<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>The method is determined by a qualification examination:<\/strong> topography and corneal thickness, stability of the refractive error, and retinal condition \u2013 see <a href=\"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/laser-vision-correction\/eligibility-for-laser-vision-correction\/\">qualification for the procedure<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have a really significant refractive error, you probably know this scenario: you hear in another clinic that <strong>&#8220;you don&#8217;t qualify.&#8221;<\/strong> What do you feel? Frustration! Is such a high refractive error really <strong>a lifelong sentence to glasses?<\/strong> Although classic LASIK laser has its limitations, our modern refractive surgery is not deterred by this at all. At Swisslaser, we don&#8217;t stand still; we search. We want to find <strong>an ideal and safe solution for everyone<\/strong>, even for you. We will now explain where the limit for traditional laser ends and what <strong>fantastic alternatives<\/strong> we have up our sleeve so you can finally see perfectly.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What will you learn from the text below?<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When is a refractive error considered too high for classic correction?<\/strong> The safety limit for lasers is myopia <strong>above -10 diopters<\/strong> or hyperopia <strong>above +5 diopters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What truly limits the possibility of performing a LASIK procedure?<\/strong> It&#8217;s simple: the higher the refractive error, the more cornea we remove, which is why <strong>its thickness is crucial<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Does astigmatism exclude me from laser correction?<\/strong> No, although <strong>irregular or very high astigmatism<\/strong> (above 3 diopters) can be a challenge, we handle it very well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What method is the best alternative to LASIK for a thin cornea?<\/strong> An option is <strong>ReLEx\u00ae SMILE<\/strong> (the &#8220;keyhole&#8221; method), which minimally interferes with the cornea and corrects refractive errors <strong>up to -10 D<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What if I don&#8217;t qualify for any laser method?<\/strong> Then we resort to <strong>traditional surgery<\/strong>, which means implanting intraocular lenses or exchanging them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Refractive Errors: When Does Laser Correction Have a Limit?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classification of refractive errors: How do we define myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we get to the limits, let&#8217;s see how we classify the refractive errors we deal with:<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Defect<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Small<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Medium<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Large \/ High<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Myopia<\/strong><\/td><td>up to $-3 D$<\/td><td>from $-3 D$ to $-6 D$<\/td><td><strong>Above $-6 D$<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Hyperopia<\/strong><\/td><td>up to $+2.5 D$<\/td><td>from $+2.5 D$ to $+6.0 D$<\/td><td><strong>Above $+6.0 D$<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Astigmatism<\/strong><\/td><td>up to $1$ cyl. diopter<\/td><td>up to $2$ cyl. diopters<\/td><td><strong>Above $3$ cyl. diopters<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We always start with a super-accurate examination so that we can precisely assess your individual case.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Limits of possibilities: When is a refractive error a contraindication for laser surgery? (+5 D, -10 D)<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medicine operates according to safety principles, which is why laser has its limits. We consider traditional correction contraindicated when myopia exceeds <strong>-10 diopters<\/strong> or hyperopia is <strong>above +5 diopters<\/strong>. Does this mean you have to give up? <strong>Absolutely not!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traditional LASIK: Why Do We Sometimes Say &#8220;No&#8221;?<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secrets of the LASIK method: What does the flap cutting technique involve?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the <strong>LASIK<\/strong> method, we do this: first, the surgeon cuts an ultra-thin flap (our <strong>flap<\/strong>), gently moves it aside, and only then does the <strong>excimer<\/strong> laser reshape the inner part of the cornea, correcting the refractive error. Afterwards, we close the flap, and the eye heals quickly.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Corneal thickness: A key limit for high refractive errors<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What often stands in our way with high refractive errors is corneal thickness. You need to know: <strong>the higher the refractive error, the more corneal tissue we remove<\/strong>. And your cornea must be thick enough to be stable and safe after correction! Many people with a high refractive error simply have <strong>a cornea that is too thin<\/strong> for safe LASIK.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Correction problems: Challenges of irregular astigmatism<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another challenge is <strong>irregular astigmatism<\/strong>. Although we correct routine cases in a flash, an irregular shape can make it difficult for the laser to perfectly remove the refractive error.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Alternatives: ReLEx\u00ae SMILE and Traditional Surgery<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The &#8220;keyhole&#8221; method: How ReLEx\u00ae SMILE bypasses the corneal flap problem?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heard &#8220;no&#8221; for LASIK? Don&#8217;t give up! We present <strong>ReLEx\u00ae SMILE<\/strong> \u2013 it&#8217;s a cosmic leap in technology! We call it the <strong>&#8220;keyhole&#8221; method<\/strong> because <strong>we don&#8217;t create a flap<\/strong>. Instead, we remove corneal tissue through a tiny incision. Because we minimally interfere with the structure, the cornea remains more stable, and <strong>healing is super quick<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"nv-cv-m wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr. Victor Derhartunian emphasizes:<\/strong> &#8220;ReLEx\u00ae SMILE is our tool that has changed the rules of the game for high myopia. It allows us to safely correct refractive errors <strong>up to -10 diopters<\/strong>, especially in those patients whose cornea was too thin for LASIK. Corneal stability after SMILE is our priority.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scope of SMILE application: When is the minimally invasive method the best solution? (up to -10 D)<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SMILE is for you if you have myopia <strong>from -0.5 to -10 diopters<\/strong> or astigmatism <strong>up to -5.0 diopters<\/strong>. This is minimal invasion and maximum safety.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When laser is not enough: Options for traditional surgery (Phakic lenses and lens exchange)<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And what if your refractive error is truly enormous (e.g., -15 D)? Then we move on to <strong>traditional surgery<\/strong>. These are equally effective and safe methods that fix the problem from within: we implant <strong>intraocular lenses<\/strong> (phakic) or perform <strong>refractive lens exchange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Can irregular astigmatism be corrected at all?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, of course. Sometimes we use specialized lasers for this, and in more difficult cases, toric lenses work great.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. What is a phakic lens?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of it as a permanent contact lens that we implant into the eye. It is placed just in front of your natural lens.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. Can the refractive error return after correction?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This happens very rarely and mainly concerns people with exceptionally high refractive errors. That&#8217;s why at Swisslaser, we qualify you only when we are sure that the refractive error is already stable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. After intraocular lens implantation, do I see sharply at every range?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It depends on which lens we implant! You can choose one that will provide you with sharpness for one, two, or even all distances (trifocal lens).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. Is SMILE more expensive than LASIK?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Costs vary, but remember that SMILE is the latest and least invasive technology. Always view it as an investment in your quality of life.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6. How many diopters is a high refractive error?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conventionally, high myopia starts from -6 D, high hyperopia from +4 to +5 D, and high astigmatism above 2\u20133 D. From the perspective of the procedure, however, not only the number of diopters matters, but also the thickness and shape of the cornea and the stability of the refractive error.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">7. Up to what refractive error can laser vision correction be performed?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approximately, laser corrects myopia up to about -10 D, hyperopia up to about +4 D, and astigmatism up to about 5\u20136 D, always provided the cornea is sufficiently thick. Above these limits, a phakic lens (ICL) is safer, and after the age of 45, refractive lens exchange is often performed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">8. What disqualifies one from laser vision correction?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Too thin or irregular cornea (keratoconus), unstable refractive error (change above 0.5 D per year), active eye diseases (untreated dry eye, uncontrolled glaucoma, cataracts), pregnancy and breastfeeding, and certain general diseases. Most of these contraindications do not close the path to a phakic lens.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">9. Can the refractive error return after laser correction?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The effect is permanent because the laser permanently changes the shape of the cornea. With high refractive errors, a slight regression occurs somewhat more often, which is why we only operate on stabilized refractive errors, and for borderline corneas, we choose ICL. Natural changes after the age of 45 (presbyopia) are a separate process.<\/p>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"sl-faq-schema\">\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n  {\n   \"@type\": \"MedicalWebPage\",\n   \"@id\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/#medpage\",\n   \"url\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/\",\n   \"name\": \"Laser vision correction for high defects\",\n   \"description\": \"High refractive error (-10 D, +5 D, high astigmatism) and laser: up to how many diopters correction reaches, what disqualifies, and when an ICL phakic lens is better.\",\n   \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n   \"isPartOf\": {\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/#website\"\n   },\n   \"reviewedBy\": {\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/#victor\"\n   },\n   \"lastReviewed\": \"2026-09-18\",\n   \"breadcrumb\": {\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/#breadcrumb\"\n   }\n  },\n  {\n   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n   \"@id\": \"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-vision-correction-for-high-defects\/#faq\",\n   \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n   \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n     \"@type\": \"Question\",\n     \"name\": \"Can irregular astigmatism be corrected at all?\",\n     \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Yes, of course. 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Kolejowa 1\",\n    \"addressLocality\": \"Warszawa\",\n    \"postalCode\": \"01-217\",\n    \"addressCountry\": \"PL\"\n   }\n  }\n ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading sl-related-rle\">Related Topics<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"nv-cv-m wp-block-list sl-related-rle\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/laser-vision-correction-pricing\/\">Laser vision correction \u2013 price list<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If neither spectacle lenses nor contact lenses bring the desired result, and the patient does not qualify for laser correction, it is necessary to turn to traditional surgery methods.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice-from-a-specialist"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8827"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27919,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8827\/revisions\/27919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}