Does LASIK wear off?

Does LASIK wear off? It’s a question we hear often at Brinton Vision when people come to talk about LASIK in St. Louis. LASIK is an extraordinary laser vision correction procedure. It is considered to be one of the most common—and one of the most successful—surgical procedures ever developed, and it continues to improve as technology evolves. Despite its efficacy, there are several myths about LASIK that can be confusing or misleading. One of the most common misconceptions is that LASIK can “wear off” or fade over time, and that it eventually has to be redone.

This is simply not true, but it is important to understand what really does happen with our vision over time, and how this misconception came to be.

LASIK eye surgery is a permanent correction. Whether you are near-sighted, far-sighted, or have astigmatism, LASIK can be a good solution. When proper diagnostics are done and the most modern technology is used, the procedure is highly accurate and most patients report or experience no pain. It results in permanent, life-changing vision improvements. In fact, at Brinton Vision, most patients report seeing better than 20/20 by the next day.

Does LASIK mean I will see perfectly for the rest of my life?
The answer to “Does LASIK wear off?” is no. However, when someone undergoes LASIK, that does not mean their vision will always be perfect. The reason for this has nothing to do with previous laser vision correction. That’s because, outside of certain eye diseases, it isn’t the cornea that typically causes declining vision as we age.

We all know that our bodies undergo changes as we get older, and our eyes are no exception. By the time we are in our early 40s, our eyes experience natural changes in the crystalline lens located in the back of the eye. The lens becomes less flexible, which results in presbyopia, or an inability to focus on nearby objects, loss of color definition, and difficulty seeing in dim light.

This is not a matter of LASIK “wearing off.” It is a natural aging process that occurs in an entirely different part of the eye, and it is part of what is referred to as dysfunctional lens syndrome (DLS). Over time, the lens continues to harden and eventually a cataract forms. Every one of us undergoes these changes, regardless of whether or not we have had LASIK.

It is important to note that the best LASIK surgeons in St. Louis often have LASIK alternatives available for people who have begun to experience presbyopia, or who will begin to experience it within a couple of years. This is why comprehensive diagnostics are critical. Despite the push for LASIK for every patient by some big-box LASIK centers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

If my vision declines, is there anything else I can do?
Yes! You don’t have to live with the vision difficulties that come with presbyopia, or even cataracts. Regardless of whether or not you have had LASIK in the past, there are laser vision corrections, including ASA (Advanced PRK), Kamra inlay, and refractive lens exchange (RLE) that have been designed specifically for aging eyes.

If you are interested in LASIK in St. Louis, or in any of its six modern variations, a Brinton Vision Ocular Analysis (BVOA) will determine which, if any of these procedures is best for you. This comprehensive, non-invasive testing utilizes seven different state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies to analyze, map, and provide a complete assessment of your eye and vision health. You will spend an average of 30 minutes of this 90-minute evaluation with your surgeon, Dr. Brinton, discussing your results and reviewing your options. Click here to schedule your BVOA online, or call Brinton Vision at 314.375.2020.