Refractive surgery effectively corrects common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, it does not stop the natural eye aging process, which means you might need glasses after LASIK or PRK for up close vision focus issues, known as presbyopia.
At Vista Eye Specialists, the leading refractive surgery specialist in Fredericksburg and Culpeper provides effective vision correction options at every age and stage.
Below, we discuss whether you’ll likely need glasses after laser vision correction and how that can affect surgery planning.
Age and Its Impact on Glasses After Surgery
When considering refractive surgeries such as LASIK or PRK, your age is often the main factor in determining whether you’ll need glasses afterward.
As you age, it’s normal to develop presbyopia, in which close-up vision grows fuzzier and less focused. For many people, this sets in around age 40. Due to presbyopia, we generally divide patients into three categories when considering refractive surgery.
- Under 40: LASIK or PRK can provide clear near and distant vision without glasses, but presbyopia will eventually require reading glasses.
- Mid-40s: If you use reading glasses now, you’ll likely continue needing them after LASIK or PRK.
- 50 and Older: If you have LASIK or PRK after 50, you’ll still need reading glasses afterward. But other options such as refractive lens exchange could be a better fit you if you want clear close-up vision without reading glasses.
It’s important to understand that refractive surgery focuses on correcting your vision as it is today, not preventing future changes. So, thinking ahead when scheduling your surgery can offer great long-term benefits.
Other Options for Reducing Glasses Dependence
If you want to minimize your need for glasses, there are advanced surgical options to consider, including:
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): This surgery, similar to cataract surgery, replaces your natural lenses with premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) that correct your vision at all distances.
- Implantable Contact Lens (ICL): Places a permanent contact lens within your eye for long-term vision correction.
- Cataract Surgery with Premium IOLs: If you have cataracts, you can have surgery to remove your cloudy lenses and replace them with vision-correcting premium IOLs.
- Monovision Correction: With monovision, your surgeon corrects one eye for distance eyesight and the other for near vision, reducing the long-term need for glasses.
Each option has potential advantages and drawbacks. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your lifestyle needs, daily activities, and vision history to help you choose the best solution for your vision needs.
Living Glasses-Free After Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery at Vista Eye Specialists is designed to improve your quality of life by reducing your dependence on glasses. Call us today at 1-888-EYE-JANI to schedule your consultation in Fredericksburg or Culpeper, VA.
