In many cases the enhanced vision LASIK surgery provides is permanent, long-term. However in a limited variety of cases — typically due to modifications that can occur in the lens inside the eye, with or without LASIK surgery — some nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism can return over time, causing blurry vision. If a regression of this sort occurs and becomes bothersome, a follow-up procedure called a LASIK enhancement typically can be performed to restore clear vision.
How Long Does LASIK Last?
A current research study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery examined the long-term stability of PRK, a laser vision correction procedure that is really similar to LASIK.
Researchers in the UK kept an eye on the vision of 46 PRK patients for a duration of 18 years. Prior to surgery, all patients were nearsighted, with a typical eyeglass prescription of -4.86 D (range: -2.75 to -7.37 D).
What Do Specialists Say About the Duration of the Effect of LASIK
Dr. Andrue Stevens: It is a very consistent misconception, individuals thinking that LASIK is not permanent and that it might only last a couple of years. The truth is, LASIK permanently fixes the vision prescription– your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism– that you can be found in with to have the treatment. It does this by using a laser to improve the cornea, getting rid of the flaws of the cornea that cause your nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. Those imperfections are gone, so the concept that a patient’s eyes periodically “fall back” following LASIK does not truly make sense. However, what does take place on the celebration is a client’s myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) advances. Like all living things, your eyes can change for your lifetime. It would not be reasonable to anticipate to purchase a set of glasses and have them last your entire lifetime. Your eyes can vary; however, they will never go back to being as bad as they were before LASIK.
Dr. Anil Sharvanyan: We believe a few of the basis for this misconception is the reality of presbyopia– LASIK does not avoid it; however, it happens to the majority of everybody. Presbyopia typically starts someplace around the age of 40. The lens of the eye — not the cornea that was improved with LASIK, however, the lens behind the cornea– loses its capability to concentrate on things nearby. Even if you were born with good vision in both eyes, you would likely need reading glasses in your mid-forties– the very same holds for people who selected to have their vision fixed with a treatment such as LASIK. Significantly, LASIK does not make presbyopia worse or make it happen earlier.
LASIK Surgery Lifetime Guarantee vs. Age and Sex
Patients who were under age 40 at the time of their LASIK procedure had a typical regression of -0.54 D during the 18-year follow-up duration. Those who were over age 40 when they underwent LASIK had a typical regression of just -0.05 D.
There likewise was a substantial distinction when patients were arranged by sex. Women experienced a typical regression of -0.40 D over the 18-year follow-up duration; men experienced a typical regression of -0.08 D.
In all cases, the laser procedure was safe, without any long-lasting complications.
Another long-term study of the stability of laser vision correction published in American Journal of Ophthalmology several years earlier found that amongst patients who underwent LASIK surgery for the correction of as much as -10.0 D of myopia, roughly 6 percent chose to go through a LASIK enhancement within 10 years due to myopic regression.
See also: Recovery Time and Complications after LASIK Eye Surgery (Blurred Vision, Feelings, etc)
In a lot of cases, individuals who experience minor refractive changes after LASIK or PRK aren’t bothered by the change and don’t feel a need for extra vision correction. Others opt to use prescription glasses just for particular activities (driving at night, for example), and some decide to have an enhancement surgery carried out.
There might or might not be an extra cost for a LASIK enhancement surgery, depending upon how right after the primary LASIK procedure the enhancement is carried out and the policies of the LASIK surgeon or clinic. Ask your LASIK surgeon for details.
