If you have ever struggled with vision problems, you might have heard about LASIK. It is a type of laser eye surgery that corrects different refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, and more. Till today, this surgery has a success rate of 96-95%, which is pretty impressive.
However, if you plan to have LASIK, the first question you may have is, “How long does LASIK last”. In this blog post, we will help you learn essential details about the longevity of LASIK treatment.
Is LASIK Permanent? – Longevity Of LASIK Results
LASIK is permanent, and its results can last throughout your life. In fact, many patients never need a second surgery in their life. According to a recent report, satisfaction rates of LASIK patients remained high even after 5 years of surgery. They didn’t need to wear any prescription lenses for decades.
However, like other living things, your eyes also undergo changes over time. You may develop new vision problems, but this does not mean that LASIK has failed. If new issues arise, it is important to contact an eye surgeon promptly. Addressing these problems early can help prevent your eyes from returning to the poor condition they were in before LASIK.
Why Does The Longevity Of LASIK Vary From Person To person?
The longevity of LASIK varies from person to person, as several factors influence its duration. Let us explore the reasons why LASIK lasts longer for some people than for others:
• Age
As you grow older, your eyes naturally undergo many changes. Some eye conditions cannot be corrected with LASIK, so young people with LASIK treatment show more prolonged results than older people.
• Pre-existing Eye Condition
Your eye condition at the time of LASIK has a huge effect on the longevity of the results. For instance, if you have stable vision, your surgery results will last longer. On the other hand, if your vision prescription was significantly changing during surgery or you had dry eyes, it would have a bad impact on the duration of the results.
• Lifestyle
If you have high visual demands in your daily life routine or are more exposed to dust, smoke, and chemicals, your LASIK results will last less time than those of individuals with less exposure.
• Underlying Health Issues
If you suffer from autoimmune diseases or diabetes, the results of your LASIK treatment won’t last for a very long time.
• Surgical Technology
Surgical methods also impact the duration of LASIK results. Advanced LASIK technologies play a great role in the long-lasting results of LASIK compared to older methods.
• Post Surgery Care
The longevity of LASIK treatment highly depends on your post-surgery care. If you adhere to all care instructions, regularly use prescribed eye drops, and avoid activities that won’t cause eye strain, your LASIK results will last a long time.
What Is LASIK Enhancement Over The Years?
With advancements in technology, there is a LASIK follow-up procedure known as LASIK enhancement. This procedure is performed if your original surgery was unsatisfactory. In this method, a surgeon does not cut a new flap in your eye; instead, they lift the previous one and make the required changes to reshape the cornea.
According to a study, even after 10 years, only 3.5% of LASIK patients require enhancement surgery. This risk of enhancement is greater in people whose refraction was not stable prior to surgery.
Can LASIK Wear Off?
It is a common myth that LASIK wears off with time. This never happens, as LASIK is a permanent solution. However, certain vision problems can make it less effective over time. If you ever notice changes in LASIK results, it is better to consult an eye care professional to check the underlying cause and resolve it immediately.
How To Prolong LASIK Results?
There are simple tips to prolong your LASIK results. Let’s go through them:
- Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: You can wear sunglasses or hats to protect your eyes from UV Rays as these rays have a bad effect on your LASIK treatment.
- Don’t Rub Your Eyes: If you start rubbing your eyes after a few days of LASIK, it can damage the protective flap of your eye and cornea. So, avoid rubbing your eyes in the initial few days of LASIK.
- Avoid Extended Screen Time: Don’t use screens for extended periods of time. In fact, take frequent breaks to avoid eye strain. This will help you prolong the results of LASIK.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Take a balanced diet that is rich in minerals and vitamins, as they are very beneficial for your eyes.
- Use Artificial Tears: Artificial tears can lubricate your eyes and avoid dryness, allowing your LASIK results to last longer.
- Regular Checkups: It is always recommended to have regular eye exams to maintain your LASIK results and address any issues immediately.
Conclusion
We hope now you are well aware of how long does LASIK last? Keep in mind all the factors that influence the results and follow the above mentioned tips to prolong the results and support your eye health.
To maintain the results of LASIK surgery and ensure long-lasting eye health, it’s crucial to choose the right professionals for your eye care needs. If you ever experience changes in your vision or have concerns about your LASIK results, consider consulting with an expert team, such as Eye LASIK Austin who will help you maintain the results of LASIK surgery.
FAQS
It is a quick procedure and usually takes 10-15 minutes per eye. But the results of this surgery are very exceptional.
Doctors recommend annual check ups to ensure that everything is in place and if there is any underlying problem or not. These check ups are necessary to resolve any emerging issue immediately.
Common side effects of LASIK are temporary visual disturbances, dry eyes, glare, halos around lights that improve within a few weeks. Sometimes, there are rare infections that you need to treat promptly.
