Can LASIK Eliminate Glasses From Your Life? Faqs About Eye Surgery

Will you ever need to wear eyeglasses again after a LASIK procedure? Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis can correct refractive errors, giving you the ability to see near or far clearly again. But this surgery may not always mean you can ditch your glasses or contacts. If you're considering laser eye surgery, take a look at what you need to know about this procedure, the after-effects, and vision correction. 

What Is Laser Eye Surgery?

As the name implies, laser eye surgery uses lasers to correct specific vision-related issues. Before you can understand what this means, you may need to learn more about the eye and vision changes.

The shape of the cornea or lens can cause refractive errors that result in blurry near or far vision. Laser eye surgery can change the shape of your cornea. This adjusts the way your eye focuses light and can reduce the severity or possibly eliminate myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. 

Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct All Vision Issues?

While this type of eye surgery can help you to see more clearly, it isn't the right choice for everyone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), patients who are not good candidates for this procedure include people with changing or unstable refractive errors, extreme refractive errors, severe dry eye, thin corneas, corneal disease, corneal abrasions, keratoconus, advanced glaucoma, cataracts that impact vision, some types of eye infections, uncontrolled diabetes, and pregnant women. 

If you have a severe vision issue or one of the eye-related diseases or conditions on the AAO's list, you can not (or should not) correct your vision with laser eye surgery. This means you will need to continue glass or contact lens use.

Why Might Someone Still Need To Wear Glasses After LASIK?

You're a candidate for laser surgery. Does this mean you can throw away your glasses or contacts forever? While you may not need to wear corrective lenses immediately after your surgery, it's possible you might need glasses again. 

Laser eye surgery can not correct presbyopia—age-related near vision loss. This condition is common and affects almost everyone as they age. The once-flexible lens of the eye grows more rigid after age 40. This can eventually result in difficulty reading or doing other activities that require you to see objects close up. If you have this condition or develop presbyopia after your laser surgery, you will still need reading glasses to correct your near vision. 

For more information on LASIK, contact a professional near you.


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