LASIK is one of the most common ways to permanently restore your eyesight. If you wear glasses or contacts, LASIK can likely improve your vision and reduce your reliance on these vision aids.
Many people are curious to know how effective LASIK is and if it will completely fix your ability to see. You may be wondering,” Will I need reading glasses after LASIK?”.
Keep reading to answer these questions and learn more about LASIK.
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK is a minimally invasive procedure that uses specialized lasers to reshape the cornea, the outermost layer of the eye.
When the cornea is misshapen, or if the eye is too short or too long, it won’t bend light back to the retina as it should, affecting your ability to see clearly. This is known as a refractive error.
Refractive errors can cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While glasses or contacts can address these vision issues, they aren’t ideal solutions for those who don’t want to rely on vision aids.
On the other hand, LASIK can permanently improve your vision without the use of glasses or contacts by ensuring the cornea functions correctly.
Is LASIK Safe?
Although any medical procedure has possible risks and complications, LASIK is generally considered a very safe and effective procedure. It’s common to have temporary side effects immediately after the procedure, such as blurry vision and dry eyes, but these usually clear up within a couple of days.
To ensure you are a good candidate for LASIK, your eye doctor at Stahl Eyecare Experts will conduct a consultation to assess any underlying health or eye conditions that may put you at a higher risk for complications. For example, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK if you have certain autoimmune or vascular diseases.
Certain preexisting eye conditions may also disqualify you from LASIK due to the increased risk of complications. If you have dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, cataracts, or corneas that aren’t thick enough for the procedure, it may be unsafe to have LASIK.
Will I Still Need Glasses or Contacts After LASIK?
The answer to this question varies greatly from patient to patient. If your vision problems are more severe, LASIK may not completely restore your eyesight.
However, if you have fewer preexisting issues with your vision, you’re more likely to experience reduced dependence on visual aids. Even people who still need to wear glasses after LASIK likely won’t need them all the time.
Will I Still Need Reading Glasses After LASIK?
While LASIK may improve your vision, as you age, it’s common for the lens of the eye to harden or lose flexibility. This is called presbyopia.
This process usually begins when you’re between the ages of 40 and 50. Presbyopia can cause blurry vision, so some individuals may need reading glasses or contacts as they age.
Schedule A LASIK Consultation Today
Interested in finding out if LASIK could help you achieve clearer vision? Schedule a free LASIK consultation with Stahl Eyecare Experts in our Manhattan or Long Island offices today!
