Extreme Myopia

[Jamaal]

What is the best option to correct the following? and at what age can a corrective proceedure be safely performed?

My son is 18 years old, is six feet seven inches tall, and weighs approximately 330 pounds.  He suffers from extreme myopia and it is adversely affecting his outlook on life in general.  Without his glasses his vision is blurred at best.  If he needs to see something without his glasses on he must hold the item no further than 6 inches from his eye.  His vision is so impared that he sleeps with his glasses on in the event he has to get up during the night. He is currently attending college and his pride will not allow him to receive assistance from the school for this extreme handicap.  He has contact lenses; however, when he blinks they move about on the eye and that causes him problems seeing.  His glasses are extremely thick to allow for proper correction.

Thank you,

Jamaal

[Monika78]

A related discussion, extreme myopy - how to prevent from further diseases was started.

[James J Salz, M.D.]

Your son should first be fit with contact lenses if possible.  If he can't wear them, he would be a possible candidate for a Phakic Implant.  There are two approved by the FDA, the STAAR Visian and the AMO Verisye.  Do a google search on these two names to learn more about the procedure.  Get an eye md (ophthalmologist) in your area to recommend a surgeon who specializes in this type of impant.  The AMO and STAAR web sites will also have a list of approved surgeons in your area.  I would not advise a clear lens extraction as this would significantly increase the alreyad high risk of a detached retina

[JodieJ]

What if the farsightedness could be eliminated and the other (nondominant?) made a little nearsighted?  (Or maybe you'd prefer both eyes to be a little nearsighted.)  It might be worth the cost of a consultation.  If you were a good candidate, it would be a simple procedure.

[Occupant]

I don't like to step on somebody elses post, but since you asked, no I haven't considered it. Basically, because I don't think, it would change anything. If it would restore my focussing ability, I would do it in a heartbeat, but that is not going to happen. Being so nearsighted had its advantages, I could do close up work that nobody else could do and that is no longer possible not even with glasses and now being farsighted in one eye doesn't help. But thanks for asking.

[JodieJ]

As I recall from your previous posts, you turned out to be mildly farsighted post cataract surgery. You seem to be very disappointed with your results.  Have you considered consulting a refractive surgeon about the possibility of getting a laser vision enhancement?.  It's possible that a minor procedure could make a big difference to you.  (We only live once, why not get what you want if you can?)  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hello Jamaal   If you son is unhappy with glasses or his contact lens and wishes to look into other options he should see an experienced refractive surgeon-ophthalmologist. It's likely he's too nearsighted for LASIK from your description, however only an examination and some special tests can say for sure.  He could consider a clear lens extraction also known as a refractive lens exchange but this is an intraocular procedure and not without risks of infection, bleeding, retinal detachment.

JCH III MD   Eye Physican and Surgeon

[Occupant]

Tell him, to get a grip - I am kidding because I don't think his problems are eyesight related. I was highly myopic all my life starting at age 10, that's when I first noted it and I had glasses too heavy to comfortably wear. Luckily they invented plastic later on to substitute for the glass. I don't remember exactly how close I had to put something in front of my face to see it clearly without glases, but six inches sounds about right. I made it to age 70 before I had cataract surgery and I wish, I could go back to being nearsighted.