How Long Does LASIK Last?
Thanks to LASIK, countless people in and around Hobart and Merrillville, IN have experienced enhanced vision. The procedure is safe and fully customized to the patient’s eyes, meaning low risk of complications and long-lasting results.
But how long do LASIK results last?
The team at Deen-Gross Eye Centers would like to consider the duration of LASIK outcomes and what you can expect as you get older. This should give you realistic expectations about the procedure and how your eyes work.
About the LASIK Procedure
To understand why results last, we should explain what happens during LASIK surgery.
A laser is used to create a small flap in the topmost layer of the cornea (the epithelium). Through this small epithelial flap, the overall corneal contour can be revised. This improves the passage of light through the eye, correcting refractive error in the process.
Long-Term LASIK Benefits Last for Years
Since the shape of the cornea is improved, the results of LASIK can last for years. If you undergo LASIK in your 20s, the results could last well into middle age. That means having the freedom to see the world with crisp, clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Will LASIK Outcomes Last Forever?
While the laser revision to the cornea is permanent, your vision could change for a variety of reasons. People have been known to experience reduced vision quality after LASIK as they age or if their cornea undergoes further changes.
There is more to vision quality than corneal shape. The lens of the eye, the muscles of your eyes, and other parts of the eye can undergo a number of changes that lead to changes in vision quality.
Touch-Up Work for Changes in LASIK Quality
Some patients may require touch-up work to improve the results of their LASIK surgery. These touch-ups can be performed several years after the initial LASIK procedure to prolong the results and vision benefits.
Since the satisfaction rates for LASIK are very high, it’s estimated that LASIK touch-up work is only required for 1 percent of patients if not less.
Presbyopia and the Natural Aging Process
As people reach middle age, they begin to experience a condition known as presbyopia. This involves the loss of flexibility in the natural lens of the eye. As the lens looses flexibility and the muscles of the eyes weaken, this leads to farsightedness (hyperopia). Reading books and seeing nearby objects can become much more challenging.
Options for Treating Presbyopia
As you develop presbyopia, vision quality diminishes. There are numerous ways that presbyopia can be treated. This includes bifocals, artificial lenses to replace the natural lens of the eye, and monovision LASIK. Each of these procedures has their own advantages and disadvantages depending on your vision and situation.
We can discuss all of these options for vision correction with you in greater detail during the consultation process.
Learn More About LASIK
For more information about LASIK and why it may be ideal for you and your needs, be sure to contact a skilled laser eye surgeon. You can reach Deen-Gross Eye Centers in Hobart by phone at (219) 947-4410 and in Merrillville by phone at (219) 769-8989.
