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One of the most common questions we get asked is – How long does Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) last? The good news is that it is permanent.
During the procedure the laser is programmed according to your individual measurements and prescription, whether you have shortsightedness (myopia), longsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism. Laser vision correction works by reshaping the eye by correcting the refractive error for good. The laser remodels the curvature of the cornea and removes a tiny, pre-determined amount of corneal tissue. Once this tissue is removed, it does not grow back. The eye is permanently fixed into its new shape, meaning the effects of LASIK do not wear off.
Within 4 -5 hours after LASIK most people can throw away their glasses. Their vision continues to stabilise in the first month but for some people the healing process can take longer, up to three months. A small number of patients will under heal or over heal, meaning they regress from their desired outcome with around 3% of people requiring an enhancement, or touch-up procedure. This is normally done at three to six months after the original treatment to correct a significantly lower eye prescription than that was initially corrected. Check with your surgeon as most practices allow a grace period during which this is provided free of charge.
As we age, natural age-related changes occur in our eyes that affect our ability to focus close up. This usually begins at around the age of forty-five and affects everyone by age fifty. Presbyopia is when the lens of the eye loses the ability to focus on objects in the near vision. This is an anatomical change in the lens of the eye and the muscles in the eye, which is a totally different part of the eye to the cornea (the part of the eye corrected with laser eye surgery). For people who have had LASIK before these age related changes occur, a simple enhancement procedure can correct this. Others who choose to have LASIK later in life may wish to consider Laser Blended Vision or wear reading glasses.
The other change that can occur in the lens of the eye, with or without LASIK surgery, is a cataract. The lens in the eye becomes harder and denser and eventually cloudy – a cataract is formed and affects the quality of your vision. This can be corrected with cataract surgery and you just need to remember to let your surgeon know that you have had laser surgery previously in order to choose the optimal replacement lens.
Most people tell us they wish they had their laser eye surgery sooner. Get a lifetime out of your Laser Eye Surgery and enjoy decades of crystal clear sight without the hassle of glasses.
Contact us on 0800 69 20 20 to book a free laser eye surgery assessment with Dr Reece Hall at Bowen Eye Clinic.