Will I Still Need Glasses After LASIK Surgery?

Are you considering LASIK surgery? You probably have a long list of questions about the procedure. One of the most common questions is, “Will l still need glasses after LASIK surgery?” The truth is this depends on several factors, and it's important to discuss them with your surgeon before undergoing vision correction surgery.

What is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is a very popular procedure that has been in use for over twenty years in the United States. Originally, LASIK was only able to correct myopia (nearsightedness), but advancements in technology and techniques have enabled surgeons to now correct farsightedness, astigmatism and age-related farsightedness, called presbyopia.

Why Do People Consider LASIK Surgery?

The most common reason people desire LASIK surgery is that they are tired of relying on glasses and/or contacts, which can be cumbersome, inconvenient, uncomfortable and expensive. People with nearsightedness often yearn for the day they wake up and can read the alarm clock without squinting. Meanwhile, patients who are over the age of 40 with presbyopia and need dreaded reading glasses would love to read a menu and see their food without reaching for glasses. LASIK is highly advanced and can correct many vision issues, but what most people really want is to enjoy the simple things in life without glasses and/or contacts. Not to mention the financial benefit of no longer needing to purchase contacts, storage, cleaning solutions and, of course, glasses!

Will LASIK Surgery Completely Correct My Vision?

At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, our goal is always to provide our patients with complete vision correction, whether it be with LASIK, EVO ICL or PRK, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. We take great care to determine if a person is a good candidate for LASIK or a LASIK alternative by conducting a thorough medical examination. For patients who are approved by one of our surgeons, Dr. Nunnery or Dr. Mozayeni, we expect the procedure to completely correct their myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism. For patients who are over the age of 40 who have presbyopia, age-related farsightedness, we may offer the option of monovision. With monovision, patients can eliminate the need for glasses and contacts for about 95% of their normal daily activities.

All procedures, including LASIK, have parameters and limitations. These include but are not limited to:

• Stability
  • Your vision should remain stable for a minimum of one year. This is important because LASIK corrects existing issues but cannot prevent future changes.
• Prescriptions
  • LASIK and PRK
    • Myopia up to -12D and up to -6D of astigmatism
    • Hyperopia up to +5D and up to -3D of astigmatism.
  • EVO ICL
    • Myopia starting as low as -3D up to -20D. Astigmatism up to -4D.

• Corneal Tissue
  • To undergo LASIK surgery, a person needs to have corneas that are thick enough to be reshaped. The amount of corneal thickness required increases with the prescription. If a person’s corneas are too thin for LASIK, they may be a better candidate for EVO ICL or PRK.

• Healing and Recovery
  • LASIK patients at Providence Eye typically achieve 20/20 vision or better the next morning. However, their corneas went through a traumatic experience and will continue to heal for several weeks. During this time, there may be temporary haze, dryness and/or halos.

While LASIK, EVO ICL and PRK can significantly improve vision, they don’t stop the aging process. As we age, most of us will experience age-related eye issues that will impair vision on some level. The first stage typically occurs in our 40s with presbyopia, the need for reading glasses. The next stage is usually in our 60s with the onset of cataracts, which begin to make our vision cloudy. Neither of these vision issues is related to LASIK surgery.

Providence Eye Has Helped Tens of Thousands in the Carolinas No Longer Need Glasses After LASIK Surgery

For over twenty years, Providence Eye & Laser Specialists has helped tens of thousands of people gain visual freedom from glasses and/or contacts by correcting their vision with LASIK, EVO ICL and PRK. Curious about what our past patients have to say? Read some of our patient testimonials.

• Dr. Doug Meardon – As a spouse, father and physician, Dr. Meardon has a hectic schedule. Eliminating glasses and contacts from his daily routine has been a game-changer.
• Puja Patel – Thanks to LASIK, Puja can continue her love of travel without the need to pack contacts, solutions and glasses!
• Dave Pollack – Dave underwent LASIK surgery at the age of 50 and opted for monovision LASIK. Although initially skeptical, Dave is now free of glasses and contacts with 20/15 vision!

These stories are the norm at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists. Thanks to our thorough consultation process that is always conducted by your surgeon, Dr. Nunnery or Dr. Mozayeni, we can give our patients what they never thought possible — their vision is completely corrected. No need to worry about if you will still need glasses after LASIK surgery!

Wondering If Your Vision Can Be Completely Corrected?

The key to having full vision correction is to first be evaluated by a qualified vision correction surgeon and deemed an ideal candidate. Your consultation should always be done by the surgeon who will perform your procedure. On average, your consultation should take approximately 2-2.5 hours to complete all of the diagnostic testing, including dilation of the eyes. Your surgeon should also verify stability by checking your prescription, both un-dilated and dilated, and mapping your corneas. This allows the surgeon to make a safe recommendation on how to best correct your vision.