Laser eye surgery is a popular way for people to see better without glasses or contact lenses. A lot of people wonder: Do you still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
In this article, we’ll explain what affects whether you will need glasses after the surgery. We’ll cover all the important details to help you understand what to expect.
Do You Still Need Glasses After Laser Eye Surgery?
The answer is: It depends. Many people see a big improvement in their vision after laser eye surgery. Yet, some people may still need glasses for certain activities.
Here are some things that can affect whether you need glasses after surgery:
Type And Severity Of Refractive Error
How bad your vision was before the surgery matters. If you have mild to moderate vision problems, you often have great results and may not need glasses after surgery.
But if you have very poor vision, like being very short-sighted or long-sighted, you may still need glasses for things like reading or driving.
Age And Presbyopia
As you get older, your eyes may have trouble focusing on things close to you. This is called presbyopia and usually starts after the age of 40.
If you have laser eye surgery early on in life, you might still need reading glasses because of this change. Yet, laser eye surgery for presbyopia (called PRESBYOND) can help with this if you’re over 40.
Residual Refractive Errors
Sometimes, laser eye surgery doesn’t fix all the vision problems. This is called a residual refractive error. If this happens, you might need glasses or corrective lenses for certain things.
The Type Of Surgery You Have
The type of laser surgery you get can affect how well it works. LASIK surgery is great for fixing short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism.
But if your doctor chooses a different surgery, like PRK, it may take longer to heal, and you might still need to wear glasses for some tasks.
Health Conditions
Certain health problems can affect how well your eyes heal after surgery. For example, if you have diabetic retinopathy or other things that impact eye health, you might still need glasses after surgery.
These conditions can make it harder for your eyes to heal and affect how well you see after the procedure.
Your Eye Surgeon’s Experience
The results of laser eye surgery depend on the experience of your eye surgeon. A skilled surgeon will carefully check your eye health and vision problems to choose the best treatment for you.
The more experienced your surgeon is, the better your chances are of having great results and lowering your need for glasses after surgery.
What To Expect During Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery can fix your vision and minimise your need for glasses or contact lenses. Here’s what you can expect during the whole process, from your first visit to the day of the surgery.
The Consultation
Before the surgery, you will meet with your eye doctor for a consultation. During this visit, the doctor will:
Ask about your health and eye history.
Perform some tests to check the health of your eyes.
Explain the surgery and answer all your questions.
The consultation helps the doctor decide if laser eye surgery is right for you. It’s also a great time to ask anything you’re unsure about.
Preparing For Surgery
On the day of the surgery, it’s best to wear comfortable clothes, as you’ll be there for a little while. You will also need someone to drive you back after the surgery, as your vision may be blurry right after.
The Surgery
Laser eye surgery usually takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye. Here’s what happens during the procedure:
Numbing Your Eyes: The surgeon will put specific eye drops in your eyes to numb them. This means you won’t feel severe pain during the surgery.
Focusing On A Light: You will be asked to focus on a light to keep your eyes still while the surgeon works.
Reshaping Your Cornea: The surgeon will use a laser to reshape the corneal tissue in your eye. This part is very quick and helps to fix problems like being short-sighted, long-sighted, or having astigmatism.
Finishing Up: The surgeon will check your eyes to make sure everything went well. After that, you will be able to go home the same day.
You won’t feel the laser for the most part, but you might notice some light or a small feeling in your eye. It’s normal for your vision to be a little blurry right after surgery, but it usually improves over time.
What To Expect After Laser Vision Correction
The recovery phase is usually quick, but knowing what to expect is important to help you feel comfortable and confident in the process.
Vision Improvement
In the days after surgery, many people start noticing their vision getting better. Right away, you may experience blurry vision or feel like your eyes are light-sensitive. But don’t worry—this is normal and usually gets better as your eyes heal.
You should see clearer vision within the first few weeks after the surgery. Yet, it can take a few months for your vision to completely stabilise. During this time, you may still need to use your glasses or contact lenses for certain activities like reading or driving.
Everyone’s recovery is different, so your eye doctor will give you specific advice based on your eyes and surgery.
Resting Your Eyes
After the surgery, your eyes need some time to rest. It’s important to avoid rubbing your eyes or putting pressure on them. You may also be asked to avoid activities like swimming or contact sports for a little while to give your eyes time to heal.
You may be able to return to normal activities within a few days, but it’s best to follow the advice of your eye doctor to make sure your recovery goes smoothly.
Using Eye Drops
After the surgery, your doctor will give you eye drops to help with healing. These drops help to reduce dryness and prevent infection.
These drops must be used for a certain period of time, and your doctor will tell you exactly when and how to do so.
Follow-Up Visits
You will have follow-up visits with your eye doctor after the surgery. These visits are important to check how well your eyes are healing and to make sure your vision is improving.
Your doctor will also answer any questions and advise you on how to take care of your eyes as they heal.
Enhancement Procedures
In some cases, you may need an enhancement procedure. This extra treatment improves your vision if your eyes don’t fully adjust after the first surgery.
If you still have a little refractive error or if your vision changes over time, the enhancement procedure can help.
Your surgeon will talk to you about whether an enhancement is needed and when it might be done. This is something that is discussed during your consultation, so you will know if it’s an option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between LASIK and PRK?
LASIK and PRK are laser eye surgeries that fix vision problems. They work in different ways. LASIK makes a small flap in the eye to reshape the tissue underneath.
PRK removes the outer layer of the eye before reshaping it. LASIK eye surgery usually provides a faster recovery, but PRK might be better for some people with certain eye problems.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for laser eye surgery?
Your eye doctor will check your eyes to see if laser eye surgery suits you. They will look at your age, eye health, vision problems, and any other health conditions you may have. After a full check-up, your doctor will help you decide if laser eye surgery is best.
Can I get laser eye surgery if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
It’s usually not a good idea to have laser eye surgery if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Hormones can change your vision. Your eye doctor will tell you to wait until after pregnancy or breastfeeding to have the surgery.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery can improve your vision, changing your life. Whether you still need glasses after the surgery depends on your vision problem, age, and other health issues.
If you pick an experienced eye doctor and follow their advice, you can help your vision get better and reduce the need for glasses or contacts. They will also tell you about your options and help you decide what’s best for your eyes.
If you’re ready to improve your vision and reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts, contact Dr Edward Roufail today at (03) 9071 0180!
He will help you understand your options in Melbourne and guide you in choosing the suitable treatment for your eyes.
Note: Surgical or invasive procedures carry inherent risks. As part of our standard practice, we thoroughly discuss these risks during the consent process before any surgical procedure. Your understanding and comfort are our utmost priority.
Sources
Becker H I. 2021. Does LASIK Eye Surgery Wear Off as I Get Older, or Is It Permanent? GoodRx. Available at: https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/eye/how-long-does-lasik-eye-surgery-last [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Cleveland Clinic 2023. Presbyopia. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8577-presbyopia [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Rowden A 2024. What to Know About LASIK Recovery and Side Effects. Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-know-about-lasik-recovery-and-its-effects [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Zimlich R 2022. Laser Eye Surgery: What You Should Know. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/laser-eye-surgery [Accessed January 28, 2025]
