Laser eye surgery can treat selected degrees of hyperopia, but safe ranges are narrower than for myopia and outcomes can be more sensitive to healing.
When hyperopia can be treated
Hyperopic laser steepens the central cornea, which demands precise centration and careful patient selection.
- Mild to moderate long-sighted prescriptions within accepted laser limits
- Stable refraction and absence of latent hyperopia that only appears on dilation
- Normal corneal thickness and curvature with regular topography
- No significant lens changes or early cataract, especially in older adults
- Appropriate pupil size and good tear-film quality
When other options may be better
Higher hyperopia or older age groups often do better with internal lens solutions rather than corneal reshaping.
- High plus prescriptions where tissue removal would be excessive
- Presbyopia or early cataract making lens replacement more logical
- Abnormal corneal maps or thin corneas raising ectasia concern
- Discussion of ICLs or refractive lens exchange as alternatives
- Expectation that laser may not fully remove the need for reading glasses
