Can You Get LASIK More Than Once?

LASIK eye surgery or laser vision correction addresses refractive disorders like nearsightedness and shortsightedness. The laser procedure corrects your eye condition by reshaping your cornea. The treatment aims to make light bend correctly and produce a focused image on the retina. Most laser vision correction patients experience positive results that last for more than ten years.

Sometimes, your vision problems may re-occur a few months or years after the treatment. If the condition worsens, you may have to repeat the process. It’s important to note that each patient has unique vision needs. Before scheduling a second LASIK eye surgery, you must visit your doctor and discuss your situation.

Can I Get LASIK More Than Once?

You can get LASIK more than once, depending on several factors. After the first treatment, you will likely experience better vision without needing glasses or contacts. You can go on vacation without worrying about losing your glasses.

But that can only last for some time in some patients. After a few years, your eyes may suddenly change. Your ophthalmologist might recommend a second LASIK procedure, depending on several examinations.

So, your vision may change at any time after the treatment and require LASIK enhancement for better sight. As in the initial procedure, the goal is to correct your vision and eliminate the need for contacts or glasses.

Thus, although LASIK is seen as a permanent treatment for vision correction because it permanently alters your prescription, it might not offer a long-term fix for your vision issues. And if you experience vision problems several years after getting LASIK, you can undergo the treatment again. More importantly, seek guidance from the LASIK surgeon who operated on your eye the first time.

A comprehensive dialogue with your doctor is vital. Your ophthalmologist will advise you on the various treatment options and the criteria for a second procedure.

Why You Might Need LASIK Twice

Most LASIK treatments last for a lifetime. However, vision may worsen due to the natural aging process, requiring a second LASIK. According to an American Refractive Surgery Council report, more than 10% of LASIK patients may need follow-up treatment after about ten years. Some patients opt for either a second refractive surgery or an enhancement procedure. Also, patients with other underlying eye conditions may need to get a second LASIK as they age.

LASIK eye surgery lasts a lifetime in most patients because the procedure involves reshaping the cornea and correcting imperfections that cause blurred vision. But refractive errors may come up again because of advanced age. It’s important to note that LASIK will not fix all your vision problems, and you may need other enhancements to keep your vision clear.

Many people develop age-related vision changes as early as 40 years. Interestingly, you may only realize the changes late in your 50s. It’s also possible that you could be having glaucoma or cataracts and might need a second LASIK to correct refractive errors.

You need to know that most surgeons will only perform a second LASIK surgery if the first one has lasted less than five years. It’s possible to get LASIK more than once to correct any age-related eye changes. However, having more than three LASIK procedures is harmful to your health. It is because, during the LASIK procedure, the surgeon removes corneal tissue, which may leave you with a thin cornea.

How Long Does LASIK Last?

Many people fear that LASIK results may last only for a brief time. The truth is that LASIK can last for a lifetime, but because your eyes change as you age, you may need enhancements. LASIK surgery only corrects vision problems and will not stop your eyes from aging.

LASIK can permanently correct your vision prescription. As you age, you might only experience myopia or hyperopia. Your eyes might change after the LASIK procedure, but they will never be the same as before the laser surgery. You need to know that the treatment does not prevent presbyopia.

Presbyopia, or long-sightedness common in older adults, can happen to almost everyone. Presbyopia occurs when your eye’s lens can’t refract light correctly on the retina. It’s a condition that occurs due to aging.

Most people in their mid-forties would require glasses to read appropriately. It’s the same case for LASIK patients who need enhancement to help them with clear vision. Factors affecting LASIK include:

• Age
• The underlying eye conditions
• The duration since the initial treatment

Why Would I Need a Second or Third LASIK Surgery?

If done correctly, a second LASIK procedure wouldn’t be necessary. However, exceptional instances might force you to get a second laser surgery.

One of the main reasons is when your surgeon fails to remove enough corneal tissue. To correct your refractive error, the surgeon must remove enough corneal tissue to give the cornea a new shape so that light rays can focus clearly on the retina. Also, sometimes the tissue may not heal properly, preventing you from having clear vision. In extreme cases, you might undergo a second LASIK procedure to help improve healing.

The viability of the second LASIK procedure would depend on the following:

• Structural status of the eye
• Age
• Current health
• Medical history

How Many Times Can You Do LASIK in Your Lifetime?

You can undergo LASIK surgery multiple times. The specific number depends on the patient’s overall health and the thickness of their cornea. There is no limit to the number of LASIK procedures you can get in your lifetime. However, most patients may never need additional treatment because their eyes only undergo a few changes after the surgery.

Takeaway

A National Institute of Health report indicates that around 95% of LASIK patients experience better vision after the first LASIK procedure. Before going for a second LASIK procedure, you must understand your expectations. LASIK is generally safe and effective. But like any other surgical procedure, it can mess with your eyes without adequate care.