Laser eye surgery is a permanent solution for vision correction, but the benefits may diminish over time. LASIK, PRK, and SMILE are all forms of laser vision correction that permanently reform the tissue in the front of the eye. While these procedures can correct your current eye condition, they cannot protect you from age-related eye conditions such as presbyopia or cataracts. When light hits the transparent outer layer of the eye (the cornea), it bends to focus on the retina at the back of the eye.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a surgical procedure that can improve vision and is often used to help people with vision problems who want to rely less on eyeglasses or contact lenses. The short answer to the question “does LASIK eye surgery last forever?” is yes. However, some specific factors contribute to answering this question, such as age and changes in vision, such as presbyopia or astigmatism. For example, an adolescent may experience fluctuations in their refractive defect as their eyes develop and would not be a good candidate for surgery that produces permanent results.
Augmentation surgery is very similar to the initial LASIK procedure; however, instead of creating a new flap, the previously created flap is lifted and then laser ablation is applied. Kraff successfully performed the first excimer laser procedures in the Chicago metropolitan area using the Excimer VISX laser. As for the long-term results of LASIK eye surgery, visual fluctuations can occur as a result of eye changes over time. In conclusion, laser eye surgery is a permanent solution for vision correction and can last a lifetime. However, any underlying condition that progresses over time can cause changes in vision, making the original LASIK procedure less effective.
It is important to understand that while LASIK permanently corrects your current eye condition, it cannot protect you against possible age-related eye conditions.
