How Long Do the Results of LASIK Last?

  • A
  • A
  • A
  • Change Text Size
Posted on Monday, August 17th, 2020 by Dr. Robert Mack
LASIK vision correction in Hoffman Estates

Clarity and convenience are among the top benefits of LASIK. In the minds of most consumers, convenience is measured in part by how long the improved vision will last. LASIK meets this high standard by freeing patients from glasses or contacts in a single surgery that, in most cases, will never need to be repeated.

Below, the experienced eye care professionals of Mack Eye Center discuss the enduring benefits of LASIK vision correction.

Key Variables

How permanent your LASIK results will be depends in part on your age, the stability of your prescription and overall health. The eyes continue to mature into your 20s, and so a LASIK procedure done at a very young age may be premature. Younger persons whose prescriptions need to be updated regularly should wait until their vision stabilizes for the best results.

Some patients who notice a slight regression at a later date may choose a LASIK enhancement procedure, which involves a minor reshaping of the cornea to correct for any vision changes. A recent study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology followed patients whose LASIK corrected for extreme myopia. Within 10 years of the initial procedure, just 6 percent chose a LASIK enhancement to tweak their vision.

In the few cases in which nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism eventually reappears after a LASIK procedure, it is unlikely you will ever return to your pre-surgical prescription. Research suggests that when regression occurs after LASIK, it is much more pronounced in those over 40, and more common among women than men.

As we age, most of us will develop presbyopia, the farsightedness that tends to make reading more difficult. Even with LASIK, you may need to use reading glasses at this point in your life. For some patients, a modified form of LASIK called monovision LASIK can be performed to correct presbyopia. Older individuals may also sometimes need to rely on lenses for night driving, although this is not common.

If you would like to know more about LASIK, schedule an appointment today at Mack Eye Center, conveniently located in Hoffman Estates.

COVID-19 Update – CLICK HERE to Read our New Patient Guidelines