Why do you only laser up to +4 diopters (KRC guidelines)?

The KRC recommends laser up to +3.0 dpt. Up to +4.0 dpt is the borderline range. Beyond that, the cornea becomes too steep (max. 49 dpt), which leads to halos, loss of visual acuity, and regression.

What is the solution for high values or from age 50?

Refractive lens exchange (RLE). We replace the natural lens with a premium artificial lens. This creates space in the narrow eye and prevents glaucoma.

Why is the ICL difficult for farsightedness?

Farsighted eyes are anatomically short. We require an anterior chamber depth of at least 3.0 mm (deeper than for nearsighted people) to safely rule out an angle block.

What are Alpha and Kappa angles?

Axis values of the eye. If they are too large, multifocal lenses cause glare. We measure this in advance with the Schwind Sirius.

I see well, but I have headaches. Could that be farsightedness?

Yes, 'latent hyperopia.' Your eye compensates for the error through permanent muscle tension, which leads to pressure in the forehead. We test this with cycloplegia.

Does farsightedness return?

With the laser (regression), the risk is there for high values. With lens exchange (RLE), the result is stable for life.

Will I get cataracts later after RLE?

No. Where there is no longer a natural lens, a cataract cannot develop.

Does health insurance pay for the procedure?

Basic insurance: No (lifestyle). Supplementary insurance: Yes, often contributions. Tax deduction possible in some cantons.

How long will I be off work?

With Femto-LASIK, usually only 1-2 days. With lens exchange, adjustment (neuroadaptation) often takes 1-2 weeks.

Am I allowed to drive after the surgery?

Not on the day of surgery. Most patients reach the necessary visual acuity at the check-up the following day and are allowed to drive again.

Laser eye surgery Zurich-Switzerland

Laser eye surgery for farsightedness (hyperopia) in Zurich: KRC standards & complex cases

Farsightedness (hyperopia) is the most complex visual defect because the eye is built too short. Young patients often compensate for this unconsciously through muscle power, but suffer from "hidden" headaches. At EyeLaser Zurich, we treat hyperopia strictly according to KRC guidelines. This means: laser (Femto-LASIK) is usually only safe up to +4 diopters. For higher values or for those aged 50 and over, refractive lens exchange (RLE) is often the better choice. It not only corrects vision but also preventively protects the anatomically narrow eye from glaucoma.

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Understanding the “short eye”

Farsightedness is deceptive. Unlike nearsighted people, who see blurred images immediately, many farsighted people have “eagle eyes” for years – but pay a high price for it.

Physically, your eyeball is too short. Theoretically, the image is formed behind the retina.

The feat of strength (accommodation): The flexible lens curves extremely to compensate for the error. The ciliary muscle is under constant tension – like a bicep holding a dumbbell for 16 hours.
The symptoms in Zurich: Many of our patients from the banking or IT sectors do not complain of poor vision, but of afternoon fatigue, burning eyes, or pressure in the forehead.. This is often undetected farsightedness.
The collapse: From around age 40, the lens loses its strength. Suddenly the system collapses: near vision becomes blurred, and shortly thereafter, distance vision often follows.

The most difficult patient group: Young & severely farsighted

Absolute honesty is required here.
Imagine a patient: 30 years old, +7.0 diopters.

Laser? Impossible (cornea would become too steep).
ICL? Often impossible (no room).
Lens exchange? Critical, as the patient loses accommodation (focusing).

Our philosophy:
In such cases, we often say: “No, no surgery at this time.” We wait until you are older or technology advances. Your eye health takes priority over revenue.
Exception: In extreme cases (e.g., +10 dpt), a lens exchange can be the “last resort” to enable any quality of life at all.

Find out what long-sightedness is and how we treat it

Correct your long-sightedness and enjoy a life without glasses and contact lenses

The health bonus: Protection against glaucoma

A farsighted eye is a “narrow” eye. As you age, the natural lens continues to grow and narrows the space even further.

The risk: Farsighted people have a significantly higher risk of narrow-angle glaucoma (acute increase in intraocular pressure).
The solution through lens exchange: When we replace the body’s own lens with a thin artificial lens from age 50, we physically create more space in the eye. The drainage channel becomes clear.
Conclusion: Lens exchange not only corrects diopters but is also an effective glaucoma prophylaxis.

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Eye surgery with Swiss precision

Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

Discover which eye treatment is best for you with this 1-minute quiz

Things like age, eye shape, history and lifestyle make an eye treatment perfect for one person, but not another. Find out which treatment (if any) could free you from glasses and contacts

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Get to know the eye experts

Discover our laser eye surgeons in the heart of Zurich

Dr. Victor Derhartunian

Ophthalmologist, specialist in refractive surgery

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Having learned his craft from the two pioneers of laser surgery, Dr. Victor Derhartunian is one of the leading surgeons in Europe. The senior eye surgeon at EyeLaser in Zurich can advise his patients in 5 languages.

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Dr. Valery Vinzent Wittwer

Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon

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Since 2024, Dr. Valery Lenzt Wittwer joins the EyeLaser Zurich team. He specializes in lens surgery and enables patients to live without cataracts and/or visual defects through cataract surgery and ICL lens implantation.

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Dr. Victor Derhartunian

Ophthalmologist, specialist in refractive surgery

FEBO

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Dr. Valery Vinzent Wittwer

Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon

FEBO

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