How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Last?

If the idea of laser eye surgery is something you’re considering, one of the main questions you probably have is how long does laser eye surgery last? Truthfully, there is no definitive answer to how long laser eye surgery lasts – we are all individuals, and like any surgery or procedure, the results will differ.

But there’s a little more to it than that, and we know that choosing laser eye surgery to enhance your eyesight is probably not a decision that you’ll take lightly, which is why we’re going to look at the subject in a little more detail below.

Does Laser Eye Surgery Last Forever?

Suppose you’re tired of squinting at small print or constantly reaching for your glasses to read anything from the instructions on food packaging to an interesting article in your local newspaper. In that case, you might be wondering if laser treatment to correct your eyesight is worthwhile as a long-term solution.

Are you affected by:

• Headaches caused by reading for more than a few minutes?
• A loss of focus when looking at small print?
• The annoyance of having to keep putting your reading glasses on?
• The embarrassment of squinting at labels and still not knowing what they say?
• The nuisance of text being blurred when it’s close?

You’re not alone by any means.

As time goes by, our eyes lose their flexibility and muscular power. This makes it more difficult to focus on words or objects that are at a close range – something known as presbyopia. It affects most of us from the age of 40 onwards – and it usually means you will need glasses for reading.

However, there is an alternative to becoming dependent on glasses or contact lenses, and Optegra offers vision correction treatments that can help to correct this common complaint.

Laser eye surgery, such as LASIK, PRESBYOND LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE, can correct various visual problems by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This reshaping allows light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for clear vision.

Laser eye surgery can assist with correcting the following.

 Astigmatism: This condition is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Laser surgery corrects astigmatism by smoothing the cornea into a more regular shape, allowing light to focus more precisely on the retina.

Short-sightedness (Myopia): In myopia, the eye is too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina. Laser surgery flattens the cornea slightly, allowing light to focus directly on the retina for improved distance vision.

Long-sightedness (Hyperopia): In hyperopia, the eye is too short, or the cornea is not curved enough, making it hard to focus on close objects. Laser surgery steepens the cornea, helping to focus light more effectively on the retina.

The precision of laser technology allows for customized reshaping of the cornea, tailored to each individual’s eyes, providing a highly effective treatment for these common vision problems.

 What Are Some Long-Lasting Laser Eye Surgery Solutions?

• Optegra offers three different laser eye surgery solutions for attaining better long-term vision: LASIK, LASEK and SMILE.
•  SMILE, or ReLEx SMILE, this is most recommended by our surgeons, and  is a less invasive treatment that reshapes the cornea via a keyhole procedure as opposed to creating a flap
• LASIK: this is one of the  most popular laser eye surgery procedure. Your surgeon uses a laser to create a flap in the eye, which is then raised to allow the cornea to be reshaped.
• LASEK: some patients aren’t suitable for LASIK due to dry eyes, thin corneas or serious issues with focusing. While LASIK creates a flap, LASEK involves loosening the surface of the cornea and folding it back to then reshape it. Learn more about LASIK vs LASEK in our InfoHub.

How Long Do LASIK, LASEK or SMILE Last?

If you are contemplating LASIK, LASEK or SMILE and want to know how long laser eye surgery lasts, you will be reassured to know that all three of these procedures are permanent.

In addition to permanence, the majority of patients who have LASIK surgery achieve 20/20 vision – meaning they can see an object from 20 feet away. As a reference, 20/20 vision is what someone with ‘normal’ eyesight has without wearing contact lenses or glasses.

However, no matter whether you choose LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE laser eye treatment, it is important to know that there are certain factors that may lead to your vision changing after the procedure.

The natural ageing of the eye, which leads many of us down the presbyopia road, means that, even after laser eye surgery, some of us might find we still need glasses for tasks such as driving or reading small print – even though in most cases the need for glasses will be dramatically reduced.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Permanent for Everyone?

 The simple answer is yes, LASER eye surgery is permanent, however overtime you may notice slight changes such as a small residual prescription.

 What’s next?

Laser eye surgery is permanent, but like any medical procedure, this does depend on you, your issue, and any future changes to your health. It is an incredibly safe and successful procedure, and countless people have found that it has changed their lives for the better.

If you’d like to find out more about how permanent laser eye surgery can help you regain the quality of life you may have thought was lost. If you’d like to know more about how long LASIK, LASEK and SMILE lasts, contact us today, and we’ll be happy to arrange a free consultation and answer any of your questions.

Author – Alastair Stuart