Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) – a type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists to correct myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism. Can LASIK surgery be repeated?
Unlike the refractive photokeratectomy method, PRK (also called ASA, Advanced Surface Ablation) does not require epithelial removal, thanks to which the eyes heal faster and the patient does not feel pain. You can also treat both eyes at the same time. However, there are cases in which it is advisable to perform PRK / ASA surgery. Many patients choose the LASIK method as an alternative to wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses.
Can LASIK be repeated years later?
LASIK can be repeated from the end of the normal LASIK recovery time line up to many years after surgery. Again, how many times you can have LASIK will depend on the health and thickness of your cornea.
Whether you are expecting an additional LASIK or LASIK extension, making sure that you follow all best practices when preparing for LASIK and during LASIK surgery, post-operative care increases the likelihood of successful first and second surgery.
Why you may need LASIK Twice
LASIK is considered a lengthy procedure that millions have gone through and fall in love with. However, it should be remembered that LASIK does not fix all vision errors.
LASIK involves transforming the cornea and repairing refractive errors. Even after LASIK, patients will receive presbyopia or cataracts. They have nothing to do with the cornea and are not touched during LASIK.
Many vision changes due to age occur as early as age 40. Although you may not be aware of this, you may have cataracts or glaucoma! A second procedure is necessary if refractive errors were not corrected during LASIK.
If the second procedure is deemed necessary, another flap will be created. Most surgeons will not perform the second LASIK procedure unless it is 5-10 years after LASIK.
The effectiveness of surgery
Success rates for eye laser surgery are very high, but in about 2-3% of cases a second procedure may be required soon after the first. A number of factors, including the patient’s eyesight, age and genetics, can mean that the eyes are weakening or overexposed.
This can lead to blurred vision, glare and some distortion. Usually these types of symptoms disappear within a few weeks after surgery, but persistent blurring may be a sign that the first surgery was not 100% effective. Here at Optegra, our world-class surgeons have a much lower frequency of treatment repetition than other clinics, but special conditions mean that sometimes it is necessary.
If further treatment is required, the surgeon will assess the horny tissue and improve it to improve vision. In the vast majority of cases, the result is very successful.
Normal aging
The reason many people need reading glasses in the second half of life is because of the condition called presbyopia. This is a normal loss of elasticity of the eye lens. Because the lens becomes stiffer, it can’t focus so easily, especially on close things. Reading becomes particularly difficult.
Although this is a normal part of the aging process, it can be frustrating when it happens to you, so you may wonder if you need a second Lasik eye surgery. Instead, we recommend other treatments for presbyopia, including corneal incrustations.
