Does LASIK Permanently Fix Eyes?

Is LASIK a Permanent Solution to Fix Eyes?

Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a common refractive surgery for correcting frequent vision issues like myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism. LASIK is commonly termed a "permanent" treatment for vision correction. Doctors must consider this procedure's effects, a patient's condition, and possible long-term vision changes to determine if LASIK corrects the eyes forever.

How LASIK Reshapes the Cornea for Vision Correction

LASIK helps reshape the cornea to focus light onto the retina, enhancing vision. A surgeon folds a thin flap in the cornea back to allow another laser to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. It is reshaped and then heals naturally without stitches.

The corneal remodelling done during LASIK is permanent. Remodelled corneas cannot be returned to their original shape.

 Consequently, the structural correction achieved by LASIK is permanent. Age, pre-existing eye conditions, and lifestyle can affect a patient's vision stability after LASIK. Patients typically rest briefly in the operating room after the procedure, where the initial healing process begins.

Success Rates and Short-Term Outcomes After LASIK

For a majority of patients, LASIK leads to much better vision. More than 90% to 95% of patients are satisfied with the result, and most achieve 20/20 vision or better. In addition, about 99.5% of people achieve 20/40 vision after the surgery. Vision tends to be stable in the early years after the surgery, and patients usually do not require corrective glasses.

However, LASIK does not stop or avoid the natural ageing process or other unrelated ocular diseases. Despite the surgical correction being irreversible, vision changes can still occur later in life due to factors outside the realm of the LASIK correction.

Factors Affecting Long-Term Vision After LASIK

Here are the different factors affecting long-term vision after LASIK:

Age-Related Changes (Presbyopia)

Presbyopia, a normal age-related condition that usually starts at about age 40, is the most frequent reason for vision change following LASIK. As the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, it is more difficult to focus on nearby objects. Since LASIK reshapes the cornea but not the lens, presbyopia can still occur, necessitating reading glasses or additional corrective surgery.

Natural Evolution of Refractive Errors

LASIK surgery can correct refractive errors, but they may continue to evolve. For example, myopia can gradually progress, particularly in young patients who have the procedure done before their vision has stabilised. This can lead to a return of blurred vision, though usually less severe than before the surgery.

Eye Health and Medical Conditions

In addition to cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, other conditions may also affect vision regardless of the LASIK procedure. These conditions are unrelated to the corneal correction LASIK provides and may require separate treatment.
Regression

Some patients are prone to regression, in which the eye gradually reverts to its preoperative refractive error. You may address this with a LASIK enhancement or secondary operation, and it typically occurs in the first few years after surgery.

Can You Get LASIK More Than Once?

For those who do have vision change following LASIK, enhancement procedures are usually a possibility. They are usually done to refine the outcome or correct regression. Whether to have an enhancement is determined by the corneal thickness, the remaining tissue, and the eye's general health.

While enhancements are typically safe and effective, they may not be suitable for every patient. For instance, if the cornea is too thin or there are indications of complications such as dry eyes or ectasia (weakening of the cornea), a second procedure may not be recommended.

LASIK permanently corrects the cornea's shape, bringing long-term visual improvement to most patients. However, it does not ensure perfect vision forever. Age-related diseases, normal eye changes that occur during life, and health problems can still impair vision after LASIK. The use of the word "permanent" is directly related to the reshaping of the cornea but not to vision stability for the duration of a person's life. 

Overall, though LASIK represents a strong and effective method of treating refractive deficiencies, patients must maintain realistic expectations and know that further vision alterations can still happen with time. Follow-up eye examinations are still necessary after LASIK to keep track of eye health and take care of any developing vision requirements.

Also Read:

→ Is LASIK Surgery Very Painful

→ Is LASIK 100% Safe

→ Does LASIK Hurt Night Vision

→ What does LASIK Surgery do