How Long Does LASIK Last?
Monday, July 14th, 2014, 11:36 pm
At Skouras Eye Centre, many of our patients ask how long the visual results from LASIK surgery last. Although the short answer is that the vision correction results from LASIK are considered permanent, there are a few factors to keep in mind when addressing this question.
The Importance of Having Stable Vision Before LASIK
Throughout our lives, our vision changes. Vision can continue to change from the time we are born through our mid- to late 20s. Thus, if someone were to undergo LASIK at the age of 18 without a stabilized vision prescription, he or she might have to undergo the procedure again at a later date due to additional visual changes. For this reason, experienced laser eye surgeons recommend that patients wait until their vision prescription has been stabilized for at least one year before undergoing LASIK surgery.
LASIK Results
That being said, patients with stable vision who undergo LASIK should experience permanent vision correction results from the procedure. With LASIK, the ophthalmologist re-shapes the curvature of the cornea to correct the refractive error causing nearsightedness, farsightedness and / or astigmatism. Once the refractive error is corrected, it generally stays corrected. However, after several years, the cornea may attempt to regress back to its original shape, especially in individuals with higher prescriptions. Progression is generally very minor and treatable. Fortunately, the Skouras Eye & Cosmetic Centre offers lifetime enhancements for LASIK.
As an aside, a few patients may not experience the vision correction results they anticipated from the initial LASIK procedure due to their individual healing process. If this happens, they may need to undergo a secondary “enhancement” LASIK procedure. However, once they achieve the final results from the enhancement procedure, those results should, again, be permanent.
Other Factors That Can Cause Vision Changes
Note: A person’s vision tends to change again after age 40. Even though the visual results from LASIK will not change, most people develop presbyopia (the age-related need for reading glasses) starting in their 40s. Developing presbyopia does not change the results from LASIK, yet it can cause difficulty seeing up close.
In addition, developing other health conditions, such as diabetes, can also affect one’s vision, even after he or she has had LASIK — as an unrelated occurrence.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Skouras to determine whether you are an appropriate LASIK candidate, please contact Skouras Eye Centre by calling (416) 590-0445 today.
Category: Laser Eye Surgery, Lasik Eye Surgery FAQs