The effects of LASIK for astigmatism can be long-lasting. In most cases, the results can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. However, the effects may diminish over time due to natural age-related changes to the eyes.
This means that even if the patient has achieved excellent vision results with LASIK, they may need to seek further treatment as they age. Some studies even suggest that more than 95% of patients who underwent LASIK to correct their astigmatism still enjoyed stable vision results nine years after the procedure.
Is LASIK for astigmatism permanent?
Yes, LASIK for astigmatism is typically considered to be a permanent procedure. In most cases, the desired result is achieved with a single laser treatment. However, complete stabilization of visual acuity may take up to one year.
In addition, a certain amount of residual refractive error may remain and may require further enhancement treatments. Therefore, a successful outcome usually requires follow-up care. In rare cases, residual refractive error may require additional LASIK or other corrective procedures.
Over time, the effects of aging and natural progression of the eye’s refractive error may also affect the need for further treatment. Therefore, most ophthalmologists advise periodic follow-up examinations in order to monitor long-term stability.
Can you get LASIK twice with astigmatism?
Yes, it is possible to get LASIK surgery twice with astigmatism. However, depending on the situation, it may not be recommended. During LASIK surgery, a laser is used to reshape the curvature of the cornea, which is the clear tissue at the front of the eye.
This is generally done to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
It is possible to have LASIK surgery a second time if the patient experiences significant changes in their vision after the first procedure. This could be due to an increase in the degree of the astigmatism, or the development of a higher amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that was not addressed during the first procedure.
However, if the vision change is too great or if the patient has suffered damage to their cornea due to the first procedure, a second surgery may not be recommended. In that case, other treatments, such as PRK or CK, may be recommended instead.
Even if a second LASIK procedure is recommended, it is important to note that it is not typically as successful as the first procedure. Furthermore, there is always a risk of potential complications and it is important to discuss these risks with a trusted eye doctor before proceeding with the procedure.
Does LASIK surgery last a lifetime?
No, LASIK surgery does not last a lifetime. While the effects of LASIK surgery can last many years, they will eventually fade over time, depending on the individual’s lifestyle and age. Most individuals will achieve stable vision within 12 months following treatment, but will still require some glasses or contact lenses for activities such as reading and computer work.
As people age and their vision changes, they may need to undergo further laser vision correction or further laser treatments to maintain the clarity of their vision. The need for repeat LASIK surgery or further treatments may vary greatly between people and can depend on factors such as the extent of their underlying eye condition and their lifestyle.
Additionally, individuals who have had LASIK surgery may need to undergo additional laser treatments as tissues within the eye heal and can cause the optical prescription to change.
What age does LASIK stop working?
LASIK typically works best in younger people and its effectiveness tends to steadily decrease with age. The American Academy of Ophthalmology note that most people in their 20s and 30s can expect good visual outcomes with LASIK, but its success decreases as people age.
It is still possible to have successful outcomes over the age of 40, but typically the risk of complications and side effects related to the procedure increases. The risk may also be greater for people who suffer from presbyopia, a condition that occurs when eye lenses stiffen with age making it difficult to focus on close objects.
As such, a person’s candidacy for LASIK may depend on their age and level of presbyopia.
What is the age to get LASIK?
The minimum recommended age to get LASIK surgery is 18 years old. This is due to the fact that the eyes of a person younger than 18 are still growing and changing, which could interfere with the effects of the surgery.
Many individuals in their 40s, 50s and even in their 70s have successfully undergone the surgery, with great results. In certain cases, a person in their mid to late 60s may still be a good candidate for LASIK provided their eyes are healthy.
However, age-related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration may disqualify a person from being a good candidate for the surgery. Therefore, it is best to consult with an experienced eye doctor about your specific situation and eye health before deciding to move forward with the procedure.
What happens after 10 years of LASIK surgery?
After 10 years of having LASIK surgery, a person’s vision will typically remain stable and unchanged from the corrective results achieved shortly after the surgery. Depending on the person’s lifestyle and how the eyes naturally age, the eyes may require minor touch-ups after the initial 10 year period.
If vision starts to regress, a person may require supplemental procedures, such as using corrective lenses, to ensure that the eyes maintain their corrected vision. Additionally, LASIK does not prevent presbyopia, the age-related decline of reading vision.
Fortunately, advancements in technology have enabled corrective eye procedures, such as LASIK, to be more accurate, safer and have longer lasting results. It is important to still have regular eye exams after LASIK to catch any other eye conditions that may have developed.
In most cases, people who suffer from vision distortion after the initial 10 year period of LASIK can have additional vision procedures to help improve and fine-tune their vision.
Does LASIK last 20 years?
No, LASIK does not last 20 years and the timeframe of LASIK’s effectiveness can vary from person to person. Generally, LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism for up to 10 years or longer.
However, during that time period, vision can change due to aging, medical conditions, and other factors. That being said, in most cases, a touch-up procedure can help maintain sharp vision. Some people may require another procedure much sooner than 10 years, while others may not need a touch-up for over 20 years.
Ultimately, the duration of LASIK’s effectiveness will depend on lifestyle, environment, and genetic factors. Therefore, it is important to discuss your individual case with your eye doctor.
Can I have LASIK again after 20 years?
Yes, it is possible to have LASIK surgery again after 20 years. It is important to note, however, that the effects of LASIK surgery can change over time, and those effects should be taken into account when considering a revision or second LASIK procedure after a long interval.
The need for a repeat LASIK procedure is largely dependent on the patient’s vision and how much it has worsened or improved in the intervening 20 years since the first LASIK procedure was performed. Additionally, the technology used for LASIK has improved and evolved over time.
It is therefore possible that a repeat LASIK procedure could provide more precise and accurate results than the procedure performed many years ago, even in cases where the patient’s vision has not significantly changed.
As always, it is best to consult with an experienced ophthalmologist to assess your specific needs prior to any LASIK procedure.
How many times can I do LASIK in my life?
The number of times you can do LASIK in your life depends largely on your own individual needs, health, and lifestyle. Generally speaking, most people only need to do one LASIK surgery in their lifetime, and the surgery typically achieves long-term stability of vision.
However, some patients may be more likely to require more than one procedure due to the need for a higher degree of vision correction, aging, and changes in their vision. If a second LASIK surgery is necessary, it is typically recommended that a waiting period of one to two years passes before undergoing a second procedure.
Ultimately, your eye doctor would be the best person to advise you on the number of times you may need to get LASIK in your lifetime.
Why did my astigmatism come back after LASIK?
It is not uncommon for astigmatism to return after undergoing LASIK surgery. This can occur due to a variety of factors. One cause is an irregularly shaped corneal flap created during the LASIK procedure.
If the flap does not fit correctly, it can increase the curvature of the cornea and result in the astigmatism coming back. Additionally, the healing process after LASIK surgery can cause the cornea to become irregular.
This, in turn, can cause astigmatism to return. Additionally, issues with internal healing structures, such as the lens capsule or the supporting structures beneath the cornea, can cause the eye to return to its pre-operative state.
These issues are usually caused by a weakened healing structure that fails to heal properly or by a pre-existing condition that interferes with healing. Finally, some people simply have an eye shape that is not conducive to long-term vision stability, and no amount of LASIK surgery can correct it.
In this case, astigmatism may return despite attempts to correct it with laser eye surgery.
Can LASIK correct astigmatism better than glasses?
Yes, LASIK can correct astigmatism better than glasses. This is because LASIK corrects astigmatism by reshaping the cornea rather than by using lenses. Lenses used in traditional glasses for astigmatism can only minimize the symptoms of astigmatism, not truly correct it.
LASIK treatment is much more customizable than glasses, and can be tailored to a person’s exact astigmatism and refractive error, making the results more precise. Additionally, LASIK permanently corrects astigmatism, while the effects of glasses are only temporary and need to be adjusted periodically.
Is there a permanent fix for astigmatism?
No, there is no permanent fix for astigmatism. Astigmatism is a type of refractive error, meaning that it is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens in the eye which prevents light from focusing properly onto the retina, resulting in blurry vision.
It is typically corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser refractive surgery, but it cannot be permanently cured. If corrective lenses or surgery are not worn or maintained, the astigmatic vision will eventually return.