A new method of correcting nearsightedness could be better and safer than laser eye surgery, experts say.

In laser surgery, a razor-thin layer is shaved from the outer surface of the eye, the cornea, to focus light from an image in the right place on the retina. The new surgery achieves the same effect by inserting an artificial intra-ocular lens, known as a “phakic”, in front of the natural lens.

Allon Barsam, of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, said:

“The worst outcome of either procedure is that after treatment, even with glasses, your vision is worse. We found that patients who had lenses inserted were less likely to have lost vision than patients who had laser treatment. One problem with lasers is that you can’t go back and [restore a layer of the cornea] but you can remove the lens.”