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Compare RatesLaser Eye Surgery for Nearsightedness
Yes — nearsightedness is the single most common reason patients qualify for LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or ICL. Here's how each procedure corrects it, what it actually costs, and whether it fixes farsightedness too.
Reviewed by Conner, Co-Founder & Research Lead
The short answer
Does laser eye surgery work for nearsightedness?
Yes. Nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common reason patients pursue laser vision correction in the first place, and every major procedure treats it: LASIK up to -8.00D, PRK to roughly -10.00D, SMILE from -1.00D to -10.00D, and the lens-based ICL up to -20.00D for prescriptions beyond what a laser procedure can safely reach. Which one fits you depends less on the diagnosis — "nearsighted" — and more on your specific corneal thickness, shape, and exact diopter count, which is what pre-op mapping is for.
| Procedure | Myopia range | Farsightedness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK | -1.00 to -8.00D | Up to +4.00D | Widest use — nearsighted and farsighted patients, fastest recovery |
| PRK | Up to ~-10.00D | Limited | Thinner corneas or higher-risk/contact-sport lifestyles |
| SMILE | -1.00 to -10.00D | Cannot correct | Myopia-only patients wanting the smallest incision |
| ICL | -3.00 to -20.00D | Limited | High myopia beyond what laser procedures can treat |
How the correction works
Reshaping the cornea to move the focal point
Nearsightedness happens because the cornea is curved too steeply (or the eye is slightly too long), so light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. LASIK, PRK, and SMILE each remove or reshape a precise layer of corneal tissue to flatten that curve and move the focal point back onto the retina. ICL takes a different approach entirely — it adds a lens in front of your natural one rather than reshaping the cornea, which is why it can reach prescriptions the laser procedures can't.
A common follow-up question
Can it treat farsightedness too?
Yes, but usually not the same eye. LASIK is the one procedure of the four that corrects both nearsightedness and farsightedness (up to +4.00D) in the same platform, which is why surgeons reach for it over SMILE — SMILE cannot correct hyperopia at all — when a patient needs either correction type, or has anisometropia (one nearsighted eye, one farsighted eye). See the full procedure comparison for the complete candidacy breakdown.
How much is laser eye surgery for nearsightedness?
Cost isn't different for myopia specifically
LASIK for nearsightedness runs $4,000-$6,000 nationally for both eyes with bladeless, wavefront-guided technology — your prescription being myopic rather than a mix of astigmatism or farsightedness doesn't change the price on its own. What actually moves the number is your surgeon's experience, your market, and the technology tier, not your diagnosis. See the full LASIK cost guide for the regional breakdown, or get a personalized estimate based on your own numbers.
Before your consultation
Who actually qualifies
Candidacy for nearsightedness correction comes down to a few concrete checks, not the diopter count alone: a prescription that's been stable for at least 12 months, adequate corneal thickness for the procedure you're considering, and no signs of keratoconus or other corneal irregularity. If your myopia sits near the edge of LASIK's -8.00D range, that's exactly when PRK or ICL is worth discussing instead of assuming you're ruled out. See the full safety and candidacy breakdown for the complete list.
Before your consultation
Questions worth asking
- What's my exact diopter correction, and which procedures can reach it? "Nearsighted" alone doesn't tell you which of the four procedures fit.
- Is my prescription near the edge of LASIK's range? That's exactly when PRK or ICL may serve you better than assuming LASIK is automatic.
- Do I have any farsightedness or astigmatism alongside the myopia? That combination narrows your options — SMILE, for one, is ruled out.
- What would rule me out during screening? A surgeon who can't clearly explain their disqualifying criteria is a red flag.
Can you get laser eye surgery for nearsightedness?
Yes — it's the most common reason patients qualify. LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and ICL each cover a different part of the myopia range.
Does laser eye surgery work for nearsightedness?
Yes, for the large majority of patients, with roughly 96% reporting satisfaction with their outcome.
How much is laser eye surgery for nearsightedness?
$4,000-$6,000 nationally for both eyes with LASIK — myopia isn't priced differently from other prescriptions.
Can it treat farsightedness too?
Yes — LASIK corrects both nearsightedness and farsightedness (up to +4.00D); SMILE cannot correct farsightedness at all.
Monthly payment options
Financing Your LASIK Procedure
Most patients pay for LASIK using one of these options:
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Additional lending options for a wider range of credit profiles.
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Disclaimer
Informational only
This page is informational only and not medical advice. Individual candidacy — including exact diopter range, corneal thickness, and procedure fit — can only be confirmed by a qualified eye surgeon after a full pre-op evaluation and corneal mapping.