How Long Does Lasik Eye Surgery Last

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   How long does the dry eyes last after lasik surgery?
   I went to my post opp appointment a week after the surgery and I got my eyes tested. My vision was still blurry and I took all my drops. They told me the reason my vision is still blurry is because I have extremly dry eyes. Can that be true?

   • ANSWER:
     If you had dry eye before Lasik then it is very likely that you will continue to have dry eye after and it may actually be more noticeable. If you had borderline quality tears before Lasik then most likely you will continue to have dryness issues for a few months. Hopefully you will return to normal but some never do completely return to their previous quality. If you had quite adequate tears before Lasik then you should see gradual improvement over several weeks or a month or two. Most , though, will return to a manageable level of tear quality eventually. You need to lubricate lubricate lubricate now.

2. QUESTION:
   how long does lasik surgery last?
   I was wondering if there were any middle aged people who have had cosmetic lasik surgery on their eyes....Was it worth the money? Were you able to see without glasses or contacts after the surgery, and if so, for how long? Someone said they thought lasik surgery only lasted a couple of years?

   • ANSWER:
     I've heard that the average is 10 years before there's a need to revisit the eye doctor for corrective lenses or more surgery. Of course, as time goes by, I'm sure they'll improve the procedure.

3. QUESTION:
   how long will the redness last after laser eye surgery?
   I had Lasik laser eye surgery on monday. My eyes still have red patches in them and i wondered, how long is it going to be till there gone. does anyone know?

   • ANSWER:
     The straight answer is, it depends on your body's healing capacity, so it will take as long as it needs to. I had laser eye surgery about 3 years ago, I didn't notice redness, but that would be because not long after surgery I couldn't see properly straightaway - my vision was foggy, it was like trying to look through white mist. My surgery gave me 3 sets of eyedrops: one was antibiotic, one was anti-bacterial, and one was Blink eyedrops which moisturise and soothe the eyes. (You can get Blink eyedrops from any chemist too.) All these eyedrops aid and quicken the healing process, as well as making your eyes feel more comfortable. The other effect I had was 'night glare' which meant that all street lights, tv etc had a ring of light around, but this is a very common after-effect. Both the misting and glare disappeared in a month or so. After laser surgery you are required to go back to the surgery for after-care; in my case it was one week after surgery, one month, three months etc. If you are concerned about the redness, call the surgery. P.S It's a good idea not to wear eye make up for a week after surgery.
     Hope this all helps.

4. QUESTION:
   Does LASIK eye surgery work for people with a stigmatism?
   I would like to get contacts, but I think the LASIK will pay off in the end (i.e not having to constantly buy new contacts the worse my eyes get over time)

   How much will it cost per eye and how long SHOULD it last? (my mom's failed after 10 years)

   • ANSWER:
     Lasik eye surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and Lasik surgery in India by a company called Indian Health Guru Consultants. The Price for dental and Lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.

     Indian Health Guru Consultants is very famous in India They arrange Dental surgery, jaw surgery, Lasik eye surgery, Dental Implants etc for foreign patients in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines- about their patient stories.
     They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as dental and eye surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

     http://www.indianhealthguru.com
     Hope this helps.

5. QUESTION:
   On average, how long does Glare or Halos last after Lasik?
   I had Lasik eye surgery in July 2008 and again in January 2009. Both times afterwards I was told everything was healing fine. Both times I mentioned I had extreme sensitivity to light, in that my eyes will water and be pained if looking at inside direct light. And outside, I can't see on bright days, I have to look down at the ground or squint my eyes sometimes. I never go out without sunglasses on now.

   I also have a Glare. My eye doctor said when the flap healed, I developed scar tissue thicker in 2 separate places on the flap towards my nose. So now, light is reflecting and scattering causing serious halos. To the point driving at night is scary.

   Anyone have this problem 2 years after surgery? And has it gone away yet? Any tips for making it better? I'm getting an anti-reflective coat on my glasses to wear at night, should help a little. But the doctor says it will most likely never go away.
   OK so I'm looking into High Order Abberration, does it matter that I used to be badly nearsighted?

   Before Lasik, I was nearsighted and had astigmatism. My lenses of my glasses were extremely thick and I could probably only see clearly within a few inches of my face. Back then I couldn't buy daily throwaway lenses because they didn't make them for my bad prescription. I also have had conjunctivitis a lot from not thoroughly cleansing my contacts and also during allergy season, I could hardly ever wear the contacts because my eyes were so itchy and runny, the proteins kept building up like crazy, my vision was always cloudy.

   When I went in today for my eye exam, they said I have 20/20 vision but my astigmatism is still there, hardly any tho.
   In fact, this is my new prescription:
   Cylinder: -025 Axis: 120
   Cylinder: -050 Axis: 105

   Sphere looks like it says "pd" for both

   Then it says "ARC"

   • ANSWER:
     You pretty well answered your own question.

     Aside from an anti reflection coating it looks like there isn't much they can do.

     You seem to be in the 5 - 8 % who end up with permanent problems after the surgery.

     I know a young guy who was a commercial pilot, but had to give up his license because of so many problems after the surgery , and now 5 years later , he has high order aberration that can't even be corrected with glasses anymore.

     EDIT

     Under Sphere, that is PL...for Plano , or 0.00....meaning there is no sphere power, just that minor cylinder for astigmatism.

     That should help quite a bit at night, along with the ARC...( anti reflection coating )

     You are lucky to have good vision at least , if it wasn't for the halos

6. QUESTION:
   Who has experience with lasik eye surgery and would like to tell me about it?
   How long does it last? Is the cost/last really worth it? Did it hurt afterwards? Anything else you want to tell me about it?

   • ANSWER:
     LASIK should last your whole life. if you would ever need an enhancement you could get one done. I had mine done at TLC Vision and I can go in if I ever need an enhancement done and they would do it for free (it all depends on who you get to do the surgery).

     No hurt at all after I had it, they give you drops to put in your eyes and eye guards for at night so you don't scratch or rub them.

     I could see as soon as I sat up on the operating table. They had me read the clock on the wall.

     I would recommend this for anyone.

7. QUESTION:
   Does Lasik surgery hurt? How long does it last? Is it effective?
   yowch... i saw a makeover show on tv and i think the doctor peeled this layer with a tweezer or something from someone's eye after putting lazer through it. I'm gonna have to do it when I get older (i'm 18) and i'm already scared.. how much does it hurt? What does it FEEL like, and how LONG does it last? Can you see really well after the surgery? Were you afraid before you did it? If you're gonna say 'depends on the person', well, I've done a cosmetic surgery on my eyelids (after whimpering and chickening out in the surgery room) and i've pierced my ears after chickening out many times.

   • ANSWER:
     Ok i had it done so i can answer that question. It doesn't hurt at all, and most patients feel no pain afterword. The doctor put an entire bottle of numbing drops in each eye (for comparison you normally use one or 2 drops, whever you do don't do this at home if you want to keep your eyes) so I felt nothing during the surgery. All I saw was the guy do something to prepare my eyeball (it looked like he took an electric toothbrush to it lol), than he told me to look directly into the light (a bit hard since the natural reaction is to try to look away), you see laser sweep across. It takes 7 min per eye, so 14 min total. When I got up I had gone from 20/800 vision to 20/30. A week later I went in for a follow up and I had 20/15 (better than what is considered perfect vision). You said you've had piercings and cosmetic surgery? You have nothing to worry about, lasik is painless for most. And as to it lasting, that depends on a lot of things. Basically you have perfect vision for life, but you may get "old person" eyes. That is something that can only be fixed after it happens. With my surgery they said that should that happen I can get it fixed for FREE as long as I get yearly checkups. Oh and its been 3 years and i still have perfect vision. As to side effects only one. My eyes seem to dry out more often, though maybe its just how eyes feel without contacts (I had contacts for so long). This is not a big deal, just blink a few times. To be honest I also have allergies so its possible that the allergies do this, but my doctor said dry eyes is a common side effect. Don't listen to these people who say your eyes will fall out (lol mine are securely in my head) and other nonsense. You get an exam prior, that determins what your risks are (some people can't get it at all).

     That was my experience. I'm not going to try to say yours will be the same. Just like any procedure, everyone is different. But for me, it was worth every penny. I can wake up in the morning and see clearly and never bother with glasses or contacts.

8. QUESTION:
   To people that have had LASIK eye surgery...?
   Was it painful? If so, how intense is the pain and how long does it last? How does it affect your daily activities and for how long after the surgery does it last? Thanks in advance.

   • ANSWER:
     I couldn't have the LASIK because my corneas were too thin. I had the PRK.

     LASIK is where they cut the top layer/s and peel it back, then do the laser surgery.
     PRK is where they burn 6 layers and do the laser and they have to heal and grow back. That takes 6 weeks + to heal.

     LASIK: You have to be more careful so you don't hit the flap and dislodge it. My friend had the LASIK before me. She had it one day, went back for a check up the next day and then a week later and has had a few.

     I didn't go for my first check up until one week after the surgery. They put "bandage contacts" on my eyes.

     She said for about 4 hours right after the surgery, hers were uncomfortable and she had to keep her eyes closed. She had to sleep with the goggle like glasses. She could see very well immediately and they got better quicker.

     My vision changed each time the layers grew back and it was a bit frustrating for me to see 3D double vision for part of the time. Now, I have 20/20 vision.

     For me, the pain was intense that first night and they give you pain pills and sleeping pills for both surgeries as they want you to keep your eyes closed, because it is uncomfortable. Kinda of like a burning irritation feel for me. It gets better each day and now the only time I have pain is at night because they are dry.

     For each surgery, you have to put eye drops in a lot. Antibiotics and wetting drops.

     I thought I was going to get the LASIK until they did the tests. Good luck with yours.

9. QUESTION:
   Would you recommend lasik eye surgery?
   Have you or anyone you know ever went through with the procedure? Were they happy with the results? Is it worth the money? I have heard that sometimes when you get the surgery although it improves your eyesight a little you still need glasses after. How long do the results last?

   • ANSWER:
     No. I recommend that people look at the risks and benefits and decide if it is right for them. My ophthalmology professor put it perfectly: There may be a risk of severe complications of 1 in a million, but if you are that one person it is 100% for you and you don't care about the other 999,999 people. Lasik does carry risk of dry eye most commonly, but can lead to blindness (which is rare). I had it about ten months ago and have 20/15 vision in both eyes but also have a couple floaters at times. I was 20/600 though with astigmatism.
     If you decide it is for you what I do recommend is you find a good surgeon. All the research says the one true variable isn't the equipment, it is the surgeon. Ask him how often his patients experience complications, how many times he has done the procedure, how many times with his current equipment, etc.

10. QUESTION:
    As a side effect of Lasik/vision correction?
    As dry eyes are a common side effect of Lasik eye surgery, does it help to stay hydrated and eat healthy (fruits, veggies more than salties and meats)?

    How long does the side effects usually last?

    • ANSWER:
      Hydrated is good, yes, and healthy eating is always beneficial. You might need to get some over the counter eye drops also. Call your eye doctor to find out what the best kind is.

11. QUESTION:
    Eye Correction Surgery. Regular or Lasik?
    My mom said that the Regular Surgery has better results. How about Lasik? For How long do the results usually last for?
    Any success//bad stories about either method?

    • ANSWER:
      Id say neither one...go for orthokeratology (or orthoK contacts)
      theyre contacts you put in before u sleep and overnight they reshape your eye. take them out in the morning and you can see. so theres no risk like there is with surgery...too many problems with it still

12. QUESTION:
    Laser eye surgery...How much longer?
    I had LASIK done on both my eyes exactly last week around this time. My doc took out my lenses 2 days ago. My vision has improved a little, maybe 60%, but I can hardly concentrate or do anything. I used to be near sighted and slightly astigmat. Right now I can see far places pretty well, but everything near is blury, it's like everything's gone reverse. Do you think my vision will improve to become 100%? How much longer do I have to wait?

    • ANSWER:

13. QUESTION:
    Has anybody gotten lasik surgery for their eyes?
    How much is it? What is the process? Does it make your eyes sensitive for very long? Does it have any side effects that last a long time?? I am kind of scared to get this done! Any info on how your surgery went would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!

    • ANSWER:
      it cost abt k + and u need to go for a check up first...lasted 3 hrs...and got to make another appt for the actual ones...the whole process will be very fast and u will hv perfect eye sight after that. they hv installment plans too...check it out

14. QUESTION:
    About Cataract post surgery and Lasik?
    I have healed well from my cataract surgeries which were done in May 2007.

    1) When can I start to go for 20 minutes jogging after the surgery?

    2) When can I go for swimming? (and can I swim without the swim goggles?)

    3) How long will this good vision last, I mean could it last over the next 30 years or more (I am 34 yrs old now and have a 20/20 vision)

    4) Can you explain the theory behind this implant lens that helped to improve the vision significantly?

    About Lasik
    1) Can I go for Lasik in the future if my vision slack (since I have cataract surgery before)

    2) for normal people, will lasik help them to improve their vision to 20/20 and even better?

    3) Is US00 expensive for lasik of both eyes?

    • ANSWER:
      The links below are CHOCK full of answers. They pretty fully explain the most frequently asked questions...
      Postop cataracts
      1) My cataract surgeon recommends no exercise for one week...then after posop visit sometimes is lengthened based on individual
      2) No swimming for one week...and recommendations for goggles for one month (that's her preference) to help keep eye irritation from the water down.
      3) There really is no way of telling. If you do not have any other ocular problems, and do not develop a posterior capsular opacification (treated with a laser YAG capsulotomy), you could see well into your 90s. Probably will need reading glasses sometime in your 40s...but most people do.
      4) See the first link below...there are lots of questions related to the IOL themselves, pre/postop care, how vision is improved, and prognosis expectations.

      About LASIK
      Here is a TON of info...in the second link.
      1) You will need to ask your cataract surgeon about your personal chances of being a LASIK candidate based on the type of cataract surgery, thickness of your corneas, and any other preexisting eye processes that may be going on. That question is so personalized because of the criteria that must be met to safely undergo the LASIK.

      2) Personally, my PRK surgeon said that there was a 65-70% chance (based on nationwide average) of achieving 20/20 vision...and 95% of better than 20/40. LASIK will only correct you to the best vision you have in glasses or contacts, called your Best-Corrected Visual Acuity. In other words, if you cannot see better than 20/50 with contacts or glasses, and your eye doctor cannot improve your vision with new glasses...that's the best correction that LASIK will be able to do. I was correctable in contacts to 20/20..and I'm almost there in my right eye...and there in my left..probably about the best I'll get...and I'm happy with that!!

      3). I paid 00 per eye...US average is 50-2100 per eye according to Allaboutvision.com. Be wary of the "bargain prices"...when I was doing my research, I attempted to look up the surgeon's name I was given at the "cheap place" for affiliations...and found nothing....RED FLAG!! I chose my surgeon based on his education, experience, and recommendations from the PRK surgeon I had consulted with a few years ago...and my current optometrist. Since you've had cataract surgery, and if your surgeon doesn't do the LASIK...ask him/her for recommendations.

      I hope this info helps. I thought the neovision eye center website had the best FAQ of any, allaboutvision.com is also very informative.

      Good luck!!

15. QUESTION:
    how soon after lasik can I see with perfect vision?
    I have had lasik about two weeks, and then last week I have had to get my flaps open again because one of my eyes were slightly inflamed while the flap on the other one wrinkled (causing blurry vision). After my second surgery last week I have been gradually getting beter but it has been 11 days now and I still can't have trouble with computer work and lights. Anyone out there with similar experiences and how long does it take to reach 20/20?

    • ANSWER:
      In between 15 to 30 days...
      My own experience...

16. QUESTION:
    how long is lasik procedure for astigmatism?
    Im planning on having my surgery soon, im going to make sure i get the best surgeon , pay top dollar etc (...it is your eyes.) but had a question.

    how long does the procedure last for a person who has astigmatism (how long during surgery).

    thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi Ryan,

      The length of the procedure varies based on the severity of the refractive error, not the type. The procedure generally requires ten minutes of operating room time, during which the laser is used for an average of 20 seconds on each eye. If you have a higher prescription, the surgeon has to reshape more of the cornea, so it could last up to a minute per eye. Regardless of the length, the procedure is painless.

      Hope that helps,
      LASIK MD – Canada’s laser vision correction provider
      www.lasikmd.com

17. QUESTION:
    Lasik recovery time?
    I recently had Lasik surgery about a week ago (to the day) and I was wondering, on average, how long does it take for your eyes to reach their maximum ability? While I do see a lot better, close to 20/20, there are some things that concern me.

    One is that I do have slight starbursts or blurring when I look at certain lights, or when I look at daytime glares. Some days it's worse than other, depending on how dry my eyes are on that day.

    Another concerns my right eye, which was slightly astigmatic. While I see great in it, sometimes I notice slight double-vision and some days it's not as clear as the last..... actually, to be honest, sometimes it just happens in both eyes.

    I understand the eyes are one of the most delicate places on the body, and I figure any surgery on them would take lightly longer to heal completely, so...

    Somebody tell me my eyes will get at least a little better, because I'm actually kind of disappointed at this point.

    • ANSWER:
      i had my surgery in December....be sure to use the drops as prescribed and use MORE artificial tears than you thinkk you need for a while. It seems to really make a difference in the quality of healing (not to mention the comfort factor!) I am pleased with my result, but I do still sometimes hava a few moments of difficulty seeing in low light, until my eyes adjust... I would give it six weeks or so, to see what the true result is and if you still have concerns, many practices will do adjustment procedures (if that's a remedial possibility) until you are as satisfied as they can make you....Good Luck!

18. QUESTION:
    im getting lasik done in a day and a half. has anyone gotten it done before?
    im actually getting PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) its safer than lasik. they dont cut your eye. they say that the discomfort will last a little longer than lasik and i won't see as clearly right after the procedure. Have you gotten it done before, or know of someone. tell me your experiences and try and help me get over my nervousness, please. Oh, and how much did you, or someone else pay to get the surgery done? I have bad astigmatism so mine was more than the original price plus i got the lifetime of enhancements and the punctual plugs for the eyedrops all included in 99 an eye. That's with the custom advanced procedure too, not the traditional lasik. so i figure it's a good price. well please let me know. i appreciate it.

    -liss-

    • ANSWER:
      my friend got it done and he said he had no problems and it wasn't nearly as bad as he thought it was going to be.