Is LASIK Permanent? Examining How Long Refractive Surgery Will Last

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is the most popular refractive eye surgery. Each year an estimated 800,000 patients undergo LASIK eye surgery to correct refractive errors and enjoy freedom from glasses and contacts.

The procedure is both safe and reliable, yet patients considering LASIK surgery may wonder: "is LASIK permanent" or “will my LASIK wear off?

This is an important consideration as most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery. To stay informed, patients should have a more thorough understanding of the long-term effects of the procedure.

LASIK is a laser-assisted refractive surgery that dramatically improves vision and eliminates refractive errors such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. It is popular among patients with vision problems who no longer wish to wear glasses or contact lenses.

The corrective procedure is safe and effective, with a track record of reliable results. Following LASIK surgery 94% of patients end up with 20/20 vision or better after three months.

LASIK eye surgery corrects refractive errors in the eye such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Refractive errors are caused by imperfections in the shape, smoothness, or transparency of the cornea. These imperfections make it difficult for the eye to bend light and focus on objects properly.

During LASIK surgery, an eye doctor uses a laser to reshape the cornea and smooth irregularities on the eye's surface, correcting natural errors or flaws. They do this by creating a flap on the surface of the cornea.

The flap is then moved to the side to operate on the stroma—the deep layers of the cornea. Once the procedure is complete, the doctor will put the flap back in place.

The procedure itself is fast and effective. Most LASIK surgeries take 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and a patient can expect quick results the same day.

LASIK and other refractive procedures provide a permanent form of vision correction. Three months after LASIK surgery, around 94% of patients will enjoy 20/20 vision. Almost all patients will have 20/40 or better vision three months after the procedure.

However, this does not mean that patients will be free from vision problems for the rest of their lives - or that patients will never need to wear glasses or contacts again. Some patients may need additional forms of vision correction following their procedure.

Several factors can affect the long-term vision of LASIK patients. While the answer to the question: “is LASIK permanently” is a firm yes, certain new vision problems can arise and affect a patient's vision following a LASIK procedure.

Receiving LASIK surgery does not make patients immune from age-related changes in their eyes. For instance, patients who received LASIK in their 20s or 30s may still develop presbyopia. This age-related eye condition typically occurs after 40 years old and affects the eye's ability to focus on close objects.

LASIK patients who develop presbyopia later in life may correct the condition with reading glasses, contacts, or a supplemental surgery often referred to as a LASIK enhancement. However, getting LASIK eye surgery will not prevent patients from developing presbyopia.

If a patient is over 40, and wants to get LASIK, there are options that can treat presbyopia. Refractive lens exchange is a great option for patients over 40.

The procedure combines the proven track record of cataract surgery with the most up-to-date lens implant technology. By replacing the natural lens of the eye with a high-quality artificial lens, RLE can correct refractive errors as well as bypass age-related vision changes such as presbyopia.

Cataracts are another age-related eye condition that can affect patients after LASIK eye surgery. A cataract is an ocular condition where the lens inside of the eye has become cloudy and hardened over time, allowing less and less light to enter. This can affect vision clarity, even in individuals who previously had LASIK surgery.

Not all cataracts are visually disruptive and some may not require treatment. However, if a LASIK patient develops a visually disruptive cataract, they may need to treat it with cataract surgery.

In the procedure the doctor will remove the clouded lens in a patient’s eye and replace it with a new artificial lens to improve vision. The procedure is quick and painless—the average cataract removal takes 10-15 minutes and patients have a variety of corrective lenses they can choose from.

Some patients experience ongoing changes in their vision due to the progression of myopia or hyperopia. This can be especially common if the refractive error was severe before LASIK surgery. This may also occur if a patient elects to have a LASIK procedure in their late teens or early twenties - before their vision has fully stabilized.

If patients continue to be affected by myopia or hyperopia following their procedure they may receive a LASIK enhancement procedure which addresses these changes. An enhancement LASIK surgery allows the patient to touch-up visual changes that may have occurred following the initial LASIK procedure.

Eye conditions, like keratoconus or glaucoma, can develop over time and impact vision. While these are not caused by LASIK surgery, they can affect the overall clarity of a patient’s sight.

Certain general health conditions like diabetes and hypertension can also affect a patient's eye health and vision. Even a successful LASIK surgery will not prevent these changes in vision.

Screen time and digital strain can affect vision, regardless of whether a patient has undergone a LASIK procedure. This problem is especially pertinent in the 21st century as patients have become more reliant on screens for work and entertainment.

Excessive UV exposure light can also contribute to vision problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Even if a patient has undergone LASIK, or another vision correction surgery, they should be cautious about their usage of screens and UV exposure.

In addition to asking whether “LASIK is permanent”, patients may wonder how to take care of their eyes and health following LASIK or any laser eye surgery. To begin, patients should strictly follow any post-op instructions their doctor gives them. This might include the use of prescribed eye drops, attending follow-up appointments, or scheduling a lasik enhancement surgery if necessary.

As time lapses after surgery, patients should remain diligent about scheduling routine eye exams to detect changes in vision. Additionally, patients should protect their vision through UV protection and avoid eye strain caused by excessive screen time.

Maintaining overall health will also protect vision in the years following LASIK surgery. Patients can enjoy better eye and general health through activities such as adopting a vitamin rich diet, staying properly hydrated, and avoiding smoking.