LASIK is a proven and effective method for improving your vision in the long term. However, while the structural results last forever, that doesn’t mean your vision won’t change.
So, what does that mean? Will it last forever or not?
Our award-winning surgeons at Marano Eye Care, a division of Ophthalmology New Jersey, can answer those questions. Check these facts from our team about LASIK and how long you can expect it to last.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a type of eye surgery that corrects common vision problems like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.
During the procedure, your Marano Eye Care surgeon reshapes the cornea using a laser so that light entering the eye correctly focuses onto the retina. This improves your vision and often eliminates the need for corrective lenses, such as glasses or contacts.
For most people, LASIK results are long-lasting. Once your cornea is reshaped, it tends to stay that way. Studies show that 90% of patients maintain 20/20 vision or better, even 10 years after the procedure.
Researchers also believe that as the medical technology required for LASIK has improved since its inception, the safety and efficacy of the procedure continue to increase.
That said, it’s important to understand that your eyes, like the rest of your body, change with age.
While the structural changes from LASIK are permanent, your overall eye health can still evolve over time.
Here are a few common changes that might affect your vision after LASIK:
Most people over 40 develop presbyopia, a condition that makes it harder to see things up close. This happens even if you’ve had LASIK. It’s not a failure of the surgery, just a normal part of aging. You may still need reading glasses later in life.
For a small number of people, their vision prescription might slowly shift again over time. This isn’t common, but it can happen, especially if your refractive error was very significant or unstable before LASIK.
Your eye surgeon discusses the details of a LASIK procedure, including expected outcomes, before scheduling the surgery.
As you age, you may develop cataracts, a condition characterized by the clouding of the lens inside your eye. LASIK doesn’t prevent this, and cataract surgery may be necessary later on.
Fortunately, having LASIK in the past doesn't usually complicate future cataract treatment.
Yes, in some cases. If your vision changes significantly years after your first LASIK procedure, you may be eligible for a touch-up or enhancement surgery.
This is often possible if there’s enough corneal tissue left to safely reshape. At that point, your Marano Eye Care surgeon will assess whether it’s a good idea based on your eye health and vision needs.
Technically, yes, the changes to your cornea are permanent. But your vision may still evolve with age.
LASIK is not a guarantee that you’ll never need glasses again, but for many people, it means years, even decades, of sharper, glasses-free vision.
If you’re considering LASIK, call our offices in Denville, Livingston, or Newark, New Jersey, to schedule a visit at Marano Eye Care today.
