How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Last?

Glasses… Sometimes a style statement, but let’s face it, most of the time they’re a burden. Getting wet in the rain, getting fogged, the difficulties it creates while doing sports, or calling them first thing in the morning. Laser eye surgery is the promise of putting an end to this burden. So, how valid is this promise? Perhaps the most critical question is: How long does laser eye surgery last? So will this comfort last a lifetime? Let’s address this issue in the most understandable way, free of all unnecessary confusion.

Basic Rule: The Change Made by the Laser is Permanent

Let’s start with the clearest and most basic answer: Yes, the change made by a laser on the cornea layer of your eye is permanent. This is not a drug whose effect will wear off over time. This is a physical reshaping process. The correction made by the laser is permanent. Period. This is not a cream that will wear off. The surface of your eye, the cornea, is given a new shape that will never change again. This is the process done by the laser, and this process cannot be reversed. The reason why myopia or astigmatism is resolved is this permanent physical change.

In other words, the operation itself is lifelong by its nature. Your cornea, which has been corrected with the laser, will remain the same after 10 years. This is the technical and immutable truth of the matter. However, this truth does not mean that you will “never have an eye problem again.” Because there is a second and very important part of the equation: your eye itself. The eye is a living organ and, like the rest of our body, it is susceptible to the effects of time.

The Real Question: Does the Eye Itself Change Over Time?

This is where the confusion is the most. Someone who has had laser surgery and had great vision for years usually notices something has changed by the time they reach their 40s. It becomes difficult to read nearby text, and their phone screen becomes blurry. The first question that comes to mind and causes panic is: “Is the laser wearing off?” The answer: Absolutely not. The problem is not with the laser, but with the natural aging process of your eye.

Think of the lens inside our eyes as the muscles of a young athlete. It instantly adapts to any distance, flexes, and relaxes. It focuses smoothly. What happens as we age? Like those muscles, our eye lenses lose their former flexibility and become increasingly rigid. They can no longer make the old, rapid ‘flexing’ movement for close distances. It can no longer focus as quickly and clearly for close distances. Just like a rubber band hardens over time. This condition is called “presbyopia” in medical terms and is seen in everyone without exception, whether they have had laser surgery or not. In other words, it does not affect the perfect distance vision that laser surgery gives you; it only causes the need for nearsighted glasses, depending on age.

Risks and “Fine Tuning”: What Happens If the Number Returns?

What about that much-feared scenario? That is, the number returning a little? Yes, it is possible, although it is unlikely. This condition, called “regression” in medicine, can usually occur within the first year after the operation, depending on the body’s healing response. However, this does not mean that the number will return completely. It is usually small values ​​such as -0.50 or -0.75, which do not affect the person’s life much and allow them to continue living without glasses.

There are some factors that can trigger this low probability. Knowing these is important to manage expectations correctly:

• High Numbers: In people with very high numbers before the operation, the risk of a small return is slightly higher because more work is done on the cornea.
• Corneal Structure: Everyone’s corneal structure and healing potential are different. This can also affect the result.
• Age and Stability: Operations performed at a young age when the numbers have not yet settled and are variable may pose a risk. Therefore, it is expected that the number will remain stable for at least 1 year.

Let’s say such a situation occurred, and the resulting small number bothered you. Is there a solution? Yes. If your corneal structure is suitable, this situation can be easily corrected with a second procedure called “revision” or “fine adjustment”. This is not a comprehensive procedure like the first operation, but rather a touch-up. In summary, laser eye surgery is a very permanent and reliable solution when planned and performed correctly. The natural aging of your eyes is a part of life and does not overshadow the success of the laser.

The above information is for informational purposes. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with an ophthalmologist.