Your predicament is understandable. High myopia and astigmatism may be more challenging to treat when cornea thickness is not adequate.
You may want to firstly find out why you are not suitable for ICL, as it is a better option for very high myopia and astig if you fulfill the anatomical requirements for ICL.
Tissue-saving LASIK is a treatment offered by some LASIK excimer lasers (the flying spot lasers). Depending on the excimer laser used, the cornea tissue thickness requirement may be a little different. So, checking with a clinic that uses a different laser system may not be a bad idea.
Regardless of this, side effects like dry eyes, glare, halos and poorer night vision tend to persist for longer for higher treatment degrees. However, generally speaking, it is very rare that these side effects would be so severe and disabling.
In my experience, so long as pre-op planning post-op care are done properly, high myopia and astig can still be successfully treated. Best wishes for your quest for visual freedom!
Dr Daphne Han
