How Long Does LASIK Surgery Last?

Look, up in the sky — it's a bird! It's a plane! Everyone sees the world in their own sweet way, but some people have clearer vision than others. For example, some people have difficulty seeing objects that are far away, while others have trouble seeing things up close. Trouble seeing things can be classified as a vision problem, and some of the most common vision problems are astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness, reports My Myopia. 

Astigmatism is the result of an atypical curvature of the cornea that can make your vision blurry. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, means that someone can see objects that are farther away but have trouble focusing on objects that are up close. Finally, nearsightedness, or myopia, makes it hard for someone to see objects that are farther away. 

Living with vision problems can make life more difficult. Luckily there are several options for improving vision. While many people choose to improve their vision — and as a result, their quality of life — with glasses or contact lenses, others opt for a more permanent solution known as LASIK surgery. Here's everything you need to know about LASIK eye surgery and how long it lasts.

According to Mayo Clinic, LASIK eye surgery utilizes a programmed laser to correct the cornea of the eye. The procedure does not take very long, usually about half an hour. To start, you will take a seat in a chair that reclines and the doctor will place numbing drops in your eye in addition to placing an instrument around your eyelids to help keep them open. A suction ring is placed on the eye — this is when you may feel a bit of pressure — and then the doctor will cut a small fold from the front of the eye in order to get to the area of the cornea that needs correction. You will be tasked with focusing your vision on a light in order to keep the eye in place for the laser correction. Next, the surgeon will use the laser to remove the tissue of the cornea and reshape it to correct your vision.

You might have heard that LASIK surgery can wear off over time. According to Clear Choice LASIK Eye, however, the surgery is permanent, so you might want to make sure that you are fully committed to correcting your vision before you get the procedure. Notably, Cleveland Eye Clinic says that while most people do not need more than a single LASIK surgery, 10-12% of people in the United States who get LASIK eventually have to get an enhancement surgery because their eye changes anatomically.