A common misconception about LASIK is that the results are only temporary. This is something that Boston LASIK surgeon Dr. Ernest Kornmehl of Kornmehl Laser Eye Associates hopes to shed light on, so that candidates have correct information as they explore their options. In this month’s blog post, Dr. Kornmehl discusses how long the results of LASIK typically last.
Are LASIK Results Permanent?
LASIK permanently corrects visual errors (e.g., nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) caused by an imperfect corneal curvature. During the procedure, Dr. Kornmehl uses a laser to reshape the cornea and improve its curvature. The cornea can then properly focus light entering the eye onto the retina. Once the cornea’s imperfections have been fixed by LASIK, vision should not regress to its pre-treatment state.
A very small percentage of patients do need a follow-up LASIK procedure if their vision changes significantly or the outcomes of the original surgery were unsatisfactory. However, this is very rare. Trustworthy LASIK surgeons like Dr. Kornmehl carefully screen candidates to ensure their prescription is stable for at least six months prior to surgery; otherwise, they won’t perform the surgery to avoid the risk of subpar results.
The Effects of Presbyopia
LASIK treats the vision correction needs of the patient at the time of surgery; it does not prevent future, age-related changes from happening. A great example of a vision condition that can occur down the line is presbyopia, or the age-related loss of reading vision.
Most everyone develops presbyopia starting around the age of 40, as the eye’s lens becomes thick, rigid and loses its ability to focus on objects nearby. People affected by presbyopia usually rely on reading glasses to perform close work (e.g., sending a text message, reading a menu). LASIK does not have any effect on a person’s chances of developing presbyopia.
However, this does not mean that having LASIK precludes someone from pursuing treatment options for presbyopia. There are several ways that Dr. Kornmehl can treat presbyopia and reduce or eliminate the need to wear reading glasses.
Have Another Question about LASIK?
For more information about LASIK laser vision correction, please contact Kornmehl Laser Eye Associates and request a consultation today.