In this post, we’ll be answering the common question, “Does LASIK make you need reading glasses?”
LASIK surgery can drastically improve your eyesight if you’re a candidate. But could it affect your vision quality in the long term causing you to need reading glasses? The short answer is… no, it doesn’t. You will, however, be susceptible to the normal ageing process that we all go through. So, you’ll eventually need reading glasses, just like the rest of us.
LASIK and the ageing process
As you age, so do your eyes. It’s a process known as presbyopia, and everyone is susceptible to it. Presbyopia occurs when the lens at the back of your eye starts to harden and is no longer as elastic as when you were younger.
LASIK surgery doesn’t prevent this condition, but it also doesn’t cause it. So, if you’ve been asking the question, “Does LASIK make you need reading glasses,” rest assured that it doesn’t. In fact, there’s no treatment available to prevent or undo presbyopia.
Options to accommodate for the effects of presbyopia include surgery or reading glasses. It’s worth discussing this condition as well as your treatment options with your ophthalmologist.
Is LASIK still worth it?
If the LASIK procedure doesn’t stop you from eventually getting presbyopia, is it still worth getting? The short answer is, ‘absolutely’. If you have LASIK surgery, you can still enjoy all of the benefits LASIK has to offer for up to 2 decades. The procedure is fast and simple. Plus, you’ll start seeing results after just a few days. Start looking for ‘LASIK surgery near me’ so you can find the right professional to work with.
What happens after LASIK surgery?
Your recovery from LASIK surgery is usually prompt. It should take about 1 to 2 days for most patients. Visual stability could take up to a few months if we correct a strong prescription. However, it only takes about 1 to 2 days to start seeing clearly.
LASIK side-effects
Most LASIK side-effects occur in the days following the procedure. These include symptoms such as burning and itching which is caused by temporary dry eye, sensitivity to light and nighttime glare, and halos.
The good news is that these side effects tend to resolve just a few days after the procedure. Some will resolve in the 3 to 4-month healing time frame.
During this timeframe, you’ll still enjoy improved vision without the need for glasses and contacts. However, this doesn’t mean that your eyes are not susceptible to ageing.
If you’re in Fortitude Valley and are looking for ‘LASIK near me’, VSON can help you out. Make a free appointment with us.
Can you read after LASIK?
Understanding Post-Surgery Activities
After undergoingLASIKsurgery, one common question that arises is whether it’s safe to read immediately. This blog aims to address this query and shed light on the activities you can resume after LASIK. While each individual’s healing process is unique, there are general guidelines to follow when it comes to reading and other visually demanding tasks post-surgery.
Reading and Visual Activities After LASIK
The good news is that most patients can comfortably resume reading, working on the computer, and watching television just 24 hours after LASIK surgery. However, it’s essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions and recommendations for a smooth recovery.
Eye Lubrication During Activities:During reading or engaging in prolonged screen time, you may find it helpful to keep your eyes lubricated. Using eye drops as directed can help prevent any discomfort and ensure a more comfortable experience.
Personalized Healing Patterns
Remember that everyone’s eyes heal differently, so it’s crucial to pay attention to your body and adhere to the specific guidelines provided by your LASIK surgeon. Avoid pushing yourself beyond your comfort level, and if you have any concerns or questions during the recovery period, don’t hesitate to reach out to your eye care professional.
Explore LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery
If you’re tired of the inconvenience of glasses and contact lenses, LASIK or other laser eye surgery treatments might be the ideal solution for you. To find the best treatment option tailored to your needs, we invite you to book a free laser vision assessment through our website. Our experienced team will evaluate your candidacy for LASIK and provide personalized recommendations, guiding you towards visual freedom without the need for corrective eyewear.
In conclusion, reading and other visually demanding activities can typically be resumed 24 hours after LASIK surgery. However, always prioritize your eye health and follow the specific post-surgery instructions given by your LASIK surgeon.
To learn more aboutLASIKand which laser eye surgery treatment is best for you to free yourself from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses, pleasebook onlinefor a free laser vision assessment on our website today.
FAQs
LASIK surgery is a remarkable advancement in vision correction, offering individuals newfound freedom from glasses and contact lenses for distance vision. However, it is important to recognize that this surgery does not eliminate the need for reading glasses caused by presbyopia, a natural age-related condition.
Why do people still need reading glasses after LASIK? ›
It's a process known as presbyopia, and everyone is susceptible to it. Presbyopia occurs when the lens at the back of your eye starts to harden and is no longer as elastic as when you were younger. LASIK surgery doesn't prevent this condition, but it also doesn't cause it.
Can I read a book after LASIK? ›
Reading, working on the computer and watching television can be resumed 24 hours after LASIK surgery. If necessary, you may want to keep your eyes lubricated during these activities. Each person's healing pattern is unique so be sure to resume activities based on your doctor's instruction and recommendation.
Can you get laser eye surgery if you wear reading glasses? ›
Yes, it can. This is a widely misunderstood issue. There is an urban myth about laser eye surgery, and it is perpetrated by a lot of eye surgeons: “laser eye surgery is only good for young people. It can only get people out of their spectacles for distance vision and it can do nothing about the reading.”
What eyesight can LASIK not fix? ›
Lots of things related to vision cannot be fixed with LASIK. Disease and degenerations like macular degeneration and cataracts are not at all suited for LASIK treatment.
Does LASIK eliminate reading glasses? ›
Can I get LASIK for reading vision correction? Patients sometimes ask if LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) can eliminate reading glasses from their lives. Yes, it can! If you're tired of depending on readers, contact lenses, or eyeglasses, refractive surgery options are available for near-vision correction.
Is there a surgery to avoid reading glasses? ›
Until recently, the most common treatment options for presbyopia were eyeglasses, contact lenses or laser vision corrective surgery. Today, corneal inlays offer an alternative to wearing reading glasses. They are implanted in the eye with a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, restoring close-up vision.
Is it harder to read after LASIK? ›
You will need reading glasses or bifocals after LASIK.
Most patients over the age of forty (40) will experience this loss of near vision and patients forty-five (45) and older will usually experience this problem.
What is not allowed after LASIK? ›
Avoid showering (you may take a bath but avoid getting soap or water in your eyes). Avoid alcohol or smoking. No driving. Do not drive until you've been given the go-ahead after seeing an eye care professional at your 24-hour post-operative appointment (This applies whether you've had surgery in one or both eyes).
Will I need reading glasses after eye surgery? ›
That means that if you and your surgeon choose cataract surgery with a MonoFocal lens, it's likely afterwords you'll have clear vision at a distance, but still need to use reading glasses for close up vision when you're reading, using a computer or doing other close tasks.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
Does LASIK mess up close vision? ›
It is important to understand that after LASIK, your natural nearsightedness will be removed, so near vision may seem worse after a “full distance correction” LASIK, if you are over 40.
How long does LASIK last? ›
Over the last several decades, LASIK results have proven to be very stable. After the initial healing period of 3 to 6 months, your distance visual acuity should remain the same for the rest of your life (provided, of course, that you don't develop cataracts or some other age-related eye disease).
What are the downsides of Lasik eye surgery? ›
Complications that result in a loss of vision are rare. However, certain side effects, including dry eyes and temporary visual changes, are fairly common. But these usually resolve after a few weeks or months, and very few people consider them to be a long-term problem.
What is the best age to get Lasik eye surgery? ›
LASIK: 25-40
Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized.
Who is a bad candidate for LASIK? ›
Not In Good Health
Some of these conditions include glaucoma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having any injuries and infections can negatively affect your vision. Also, your doctor will consider if you have dry eyes or not. Dry eye is another condition that makes LASIK less than ideal.
Can you still have bad eyesight after LASIK? ›
It permanently reshapes the tissue in the front of your eye, and these changes last your whole life. However, most people's vision gets worse over time as part of the natural aging process. LASIK can't stop this, so your vision may become blurry again as you get older.
How long to avoid reading after LASIK? ›
LASIK surgeons recommend resting for the first 24 hours following your laser eye surgery. So avoid reading, computer work, strenuous activity, and television during this period. Don't take a shower the first day and avoid getting soap and water in your eyes for several days.
Does vision continue to improve after LASIK? ›
While many patients see 20/20 on the next day after LASIK, it is also common for many patients to require additional time (days or weeks or even months) before the best vision is achieved. Studies show that vision continues to improve following LASIK vision correction for up to a year after the procedure.
