How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Last For?
LASIK eye surgery corrects common glasses and contact lens prescriptions, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry vision at near and far distances). At Greenberg LASIK, we’re committed to helping people in Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky correct their vision problems, and find freedom from glasses and contact lenses.
Most common vision problems are caused by an issue in how the eye refracts light. In astigmatic eyes, for instance, the cornea is shaped like a football standing on end or an egg rather than a sphere. This prevents light from focusing on a single area to create an image, leading to blurry vision at all distances.
LASIK works to correct vision problems by re-shaping the cornea itself. During the procedure, a corneal flap is created. Then, for several seconds, a laser is used to reshape the underlying cornea. Many people choose LASIK because it can offer long-term results that glasses and contact lenses cannot. But this begs the question of how long the results of laser vision correction tend to last for. We explore that question below.
How Long Does LASIK Last?
LASIK works by removing corneal tissue to reshape the cornea into perfect focus. This tissue does not grow back and the results are permanent. The effects of LASIK, for most people, last decades or more.
What causes LASIK to wear off?
Overtime, a small percentage of patients may experience changes in the lens inside their eye, causing nearsightedness or farsightedness to return. This amount of change is usually small.
There’s good news – the few LASIK patients who do experience vision changes later in life are often eligible for an enhancement. This will ensure you continue to achieve the best possible quality of vision.
However, situations like these are extremely rare. Research has found that the majority of people who undergo LASIK eye surgery do not require retreatment later in life. Even if they do, it’s decades later. For example, a 2017 study concluded only 10 percent of LASIK patients needed a retreatment later on due to age-related vision changes.
Why Choose LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery offers life-changing results that can transform your daily routine. Its main advantages include:
It’s a long-term solution. Since the majority of patients are satisfied with their results and do not require an enhancement, LASIK is a long-term solution to vision problems. People who rely on glasses and contacts often find their prescription changes every few years, but you won’t have that to worry about after undergoing laser vision correction.
Freedom from glasses and contacts. LASIK eye surgery simplifies your daily routine by getting rid of the inconveniences associated with glasses and contact lenses. You won’t struggle to remember where you left your frames or having to deal with the side-effects of wearing contacts for a prolonged time.
It saves you money in the long run. Although LASIK may seem like a big investment, it has the power to save you money in the long run. This is because you no longer have to re-purchase glasses, contacts, contact lens solutions, and prescription sunglasses. Check out our savings calculator to discover all of the money you can save through LASIK.
If you are in the Indianapolis, Indiana or Louisville, Kentucky area, consider Greenberg LASIK for your vision correction procedure. If you’re interested in learning more about the life-changing power of LASIK or another procedure, we encourage you to book a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team will be happy to determine your candidacy and recommend a procedure based on your needs.