LASIK surgery is a permanent procedure that can correct vision and improve eyesight. While the effects of the surgery are long-lasting, the benefits may diminish over time due to natural eye changes. It is important to understand that LASIK surgery does not disappear after 10 years, but any underlying conditions that progress over time can cause changes in vision, making the original procedure less effective. The National Eye Institute states that cataracts are likely to develop as you age and, in some cases, corrective surgery may be required.
In your mid-40s, it is common to notice a gradual loss of near or near vision as the eye's natural lens becomes less flexible, a normal part of aging called presbyopia. Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure that can improve vision and permanently reform the tissue in the front of the eye. These changes last a lifetime, however, your eyes can change over time. It is important not to rub or prick your eye after LASIK surgery as this can move the flap out of position and disrupt the healing process.
Your eye doctor will perform detailed tests on your eyes to determine what type of LASIK surgery is right for you. If you start to notice that your LASIK results are disappearing after 10 years, your doctor may suggest LASIK augmentation surgery. This 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. Another common reason why vision may change years after LASIK is a natural eye change called presbyopia.
Contact lenses have a higher chance of developing an infection compared to if you had LASIK surgery. As a former NFL player, I would have given anything to have had LASIK surgery and improved my vision while playing sports such as skiing and diving.
