The short explanation
Short sight, or myopia, often increases through the teenage years and early twenties, and then usually becomes stable for most people in their mid-twenties. Long hours of close work and little time outdoors are linked with myopia, and spending more time outdoors in daylight is thought to help slow it in younger people. In adults, there is no proven way to reverse it, but regular eye tests make sure you have the right glasses. Laser vision correction can be a good option for some adults, but it is usually considered only once your power has been stable for at least a year or so, and after detailed tests of the cornea's thickness and shape. Not everyone is suitable. It also does not remove the slightly higher risks that come with high myopia itself, so regular eye checks are still needed afterwards.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- People with high myopia have a higher risk of retinal detachment and glaucoma later in life, so they should know warning signs like sudden floaters, flashes or a curtain over vision.
- Dry eyes, thin corneas, some eye diseases, pregnancy and unstable power can make laser surgery unsuitable or better delayed.
- Contact lenses are another option, but they need careful hygiene to avoid serious infections.
- Ask about costs, what the surgery includes, and follow-up care before deciding.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether laser surgery is right for you. An eye surgeon needs to examine you and do detailed tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Has my power become stable yet?
- Am I a suitable candidate for laser surgery?
- What are the risks and possible side effects?
- Do I need regular retina checks because of my myopia?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to an emergency eye service if you suddenly see many new floaters with flashes, a curtain over your vision, or lose vision.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine eye examination to check your power and discuss options.
- Have regular eye checks if your power is high.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Eye care MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- How often can I have an eye test? NHS
- Retinal detachment National Eye Institute (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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