Understanding the Most Common LASIK Misconception
The misconception that “LASIK is temporary” or “wears off” as you get older is one of the most common concerns we hear from our patients. The idea that the results of your procedure will wear off or are temporary is simply not true and most often originates from patients who are starting to experience normal visual changes unrelated to their LASIK procedure.
LASIK is both a proven and permanent solution for correcting certain refractive errors. During LASIK, our surgeons use an excimer laser to permanently reshape the curvature of your cornea, correcting your refractive error. This allows light to focus more directly on the retina, resulting in significantly clearer vision.
So, how long will LASIK last? After LASIK, most patients experience clear vision indefinitely unless visual changes unrelated to LASIK occur later on. Let’s take a closer look at each of these unrelated visual changes.
Which Refractive Errors Does LASIK Correct?
To begin unraveling this misconception, it’s important to consider what exactly LASIK is addressing. A refractive error occurs when your eye is unable to bend or refract light properly, resulting in poor vision. LASIK is a form of refractive surgery, which means that it can correct certain refractive errors, but it does not address all refractive errors.
Myopia, often called nearsightedness, is when a patient can see near objects clearly but far away objects appear blurry. This refractive error can be corrected with LASIK.
Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, is when a patient can see far away objects clearly but objects close up appear blurry. This refractive error can sometimes be corrected with LASIK.
Astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea is uneven and is shaped more like a football than a baseball. This creates multiple focal points in the eye, making it difficult to focus on objects clearly. Astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK.
Age-Related Visual Changes
LASIK is an amazing technological and medical advancement, but one thing it cannot do is prevent our eyes from aging in the future. As we get older, many of us will experience visual decline and difficulty seeing things up close. This is known as age-related farsightedness or presbyopia, commonly seen in middle-aged or senior adults.
Presbyopia | age-related farsightedness; difficulty seeing up close
Presbyopia is a refractive error that occurs when the natural lens inside the eye begins to deteriorate. The lens loses elasticity and is no longer able to focus on near objects properly. This is why most people over 40 require glasses to read or see objects up close.
The lens is a completely different part of the eye from the cornea, which is what LASIK addresses. Because of this, LASIK cannot correct presbyopia, nor will a prior LASIK procedure prevent your eye’s natural lens from aging.
Someone who had LASIK and later required glasses, such as readers, may fall into this category. Fortunately, there are other ways for older adults to achieve reduced dependence on glasses through procedures like Refractive Lens Exchange or selecting a premium lens with cataract surgery.
Key Differences Between Cataract Surgery & LASIK
Cataracts are a common part of the aging process. By age 40, roughly 90% of the population will have developed a cataract. Typically, in our 60s and 70s, that cataract will progress, making our vision blurry and cloudy.
The cause of cataracts is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which is separate from the cornea (the part of the eye that is permanently changed during LASIK). The only solution for a cataract is cataract surgery. It’s one of the most common and safest outpatient procedures performed in the US. If left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.
Cataract surgery is a refractive surgery often confused with LASIK, however it is a completely different procedure which addresses different eye conditions and different parts of the eye. Remember, cataract surgery addresses the lens of the eye while LASIK addresses the cornea.
During cataract surgery patients may have the opportunity to address other visual concerns. By selecting a premium intraocular lens, or IOL, patients can reduce or fully eliminate their dependence on glasses.
LASIK cannot treat presbyopia or cataracts, and this remains a source of confusion for many patients. Now, let’s talk about another lesser-known aspect of LASIK.
What is a LASIK Enhancement?
After your LASIK procedure, you will meet with your surgeon over the course of a year to monitor the progression of your surgical results. While many patients experience improved vision immediately, some patients will see optimal visual results a few weeks after their procedure. Most patients will achieve 20/20 or better following LASIK.
However, a small percentage of patients will require a LASIK enhancement after their initial procedure. In less than 4% of patients, your surgeon determines that significant improvements are possible with a LASIK enhancement. For the few patients who do require a LASIK enhancement, it is included in the post-operative care for all Wilmington Eye LASIK patients.
LASIK Post-Operative Care
When you are considering LASIK, it is important to ask your provider about post-operative care. At Wilmington Eye, the aftercare mentioned above is all included in the cost of LASIK. Other eye care providers may only include the surgery itself or offer minimal post-op care.
Although an enhancement is included in the cost for all LASIK patients at Wilmington Eye, most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after their first and only LASIK procedure. A thorough screening process helps us ensure optimal surgical results the first time. And diligent post-operative care alerts us to any eye changes within the first year after LASIK.
Expect Lasting Results with LASIK
LASIK remains a proven vision correction procedure with lasting results. According to recent studies, 98% of patients were satisfied with their LASIK results and would have the procedure again.
Regardless of your age or eye condition, we are dedicated to helping as many patients as possible achieve clear vision and to enjoy it for many years to come. Rest assured the results of LASIK never “wear off” but we are here to address any eye changes you may encounter in the future.
To find out how you can achieve 20/20 vision, contact us today.