How long does LASIK last?

Hollywood portrays lasers as mysterious beams of light, often used to help villains achieve their nefarious goals. In real life, lasers are extremely helpful, especially in the medical field. Eye care professionals use Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis — what a mouthful! — to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other vision problems in eligible patients. But how long does LASIK last? Settle in and learn more.

The long-term effects of LASIK

In eye care lingo, refraction is how light rays bend as they pass through the lens and cornea. Refractive errors cause blurry vision, double vision, and other troublesome symptoms. LASIK, a type of refractive surgery, corrects these errors.

But how long does LASIK last? It depends on several factors, such as your age and overall eye health. There's no age limit for LASIK, but there are a few eye conditions that become more common as you get older. If you develop cataracts or glaucoma, you may not be able to see as well, even if you had LASIK when you were younger.

If you start out with a high degree of astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness, your LASIK may not last as long as it does in someone with mild vision problems.

Durability of the LASIK procedure

During LASIK, an eye care professional uses a laser to reshape your corneas. This helps the corneas and lenses bend light directly onto your retinas. Think of them as the dynamic duo of vision. They aren't more powerful than a speeding locomotive, but they do help you see as clearly as possible.

Because the LASIK procedure is reserved for refractive problems, it treats a limited number of conditions. Each condition occurs due to changes in the shape of the eyeball, the cornea, or the lens. By reshaping the cornea, it's possible to treat nearsightedness (also called myopia), farsightedness, and astigmatism with a high degree of success.

Once you have LASIK, its effects are permanent. Your corneas don't suddenly regain their original shape, so refractive problems remain a thing of the past. A small percentage of people need LASIK enhancement due to age-related eye changes, however. Just like you need to touch up a paint job every few years, you may need a little touch-up of your vision years after having LASIK.

Potential vision problems after LASIK

Dry eye is the most common side effect of the LASIK procedure, affecting up to 95% of all patients. In some people, chronic dry eye causes inflammation that may interfere with normal vision. You can combat dry eye by using artificial tears, drinking plenty of water, and using a humidifier in your home.

Many people also see glare and halos when looking at objects or perceiving objects somewhere in their field of vision. If you experience these side effects, wear sunglasses every time you go outdoors. Glare and halos usually go away once you adjust to the new shape of your corneas.

You may even experience vision changes after LASIK. For example, it's common to have blurry vision for about 1 week after the surgery. Everyone heals at their own pace, so don't be surprised if it takes a bit longer. In some cases, blurry vision occurs as a side effect of dry eyes.

To avoid long-term complications, follow your surgeon's instructions closely. You'll need to return to the office about 24 to 48 hours after LASIK to make sure your eyes are healing. If you have questions about your recovery, ask them during this appointment.

Wearing glasses or contact lenses after LASIK

For many people, LASIK eliminates the need to wear glasses or contact lenses, at least until they get old enough for glaucoma or cataracts. You may need to wear corrective lenses if any of the following apply:

• Uncorrected nearsightedness: If you have thin corneas, your eye care professional may not be able to remove enough tissue to eliminate your nearsightedness completely.
• Residual astigmatism: In some cases, the corneas heal into a different shape than expected. As a result, you may have some residual astigmatism.
• Presbyopia: Many people develop farsightedness sometime in their 40s or 50s. This occurs due to thickening of the lenses. As the lenses get thicker, it's more difficult for them to bend light onto the retina. If you have presbyopia, you may benefit from monovision LASIK. This procedure corrects one eye for distance and one eye for near vision.

If you love skiing, snowboarding, basketball, baseball, and other sports that come with a risk of injury, wear impact-resistant eyewear for at least 6 months following your LASIK procedure.

Find the right lenses for your needs

After LASIK, you may need corrective lenses if you develop age-related vision problems. Shop 1-800 Contacts to find your prescribed brand.

 

Frequently asked questions

Can LASIK correct all vision problems?

No. LASIK only corrects refractive problems, or problems related to the refraction of light by the corneas and lenses.

What factors can affect the longevity of LASIK results?

Age, overall eye health, and eye characteristics can all affect how long your LASIK results last.

What should I expect during the LASIK recovery period?

You may have some discomfort during the first 24 to 48 hours following LASIK. Tearing and light sensitivity are also common. As your recovery progresses, you should stay hydrated, wear sunglasses when you're outdoors, and attend all follow-up appointments as scheduled. Your eye care professional may also recommend prescription eye drops to encourage healing.