Corrective eye surgery can be a gamechanger for your vision and overall convenience – but how long do results last? For patients interested in LASIK eye surgery, the longevity of the results of this procedure is one of the biggest questions. After all, if you’re going to invest in a corrective procedure, you will want to be sure your investment will last a long time. At Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS, Dr. Patel is invested in ensuring each patient feels confident and comfortable with their eye treatments, including answering all questions patients may have about an eye procedure.
LASIK eye surgery has been a household name for several years. It’s estimated that over 30 million people have used this eye surgery worldwide. This procedure is used to correct vision to reduce a patient’s need to use glasses or contact lenses. During this procedure, a laser is used to reshape the cornea to help the eye focus better. Most people are good potential candidates for treatment.
Does LASIK produce permanent results? No. Although the results of this treatment are long-lasting, the results will generally only last for 10 years at a time. This laser treatment alters the shape of the cornea to allow for better light penetration and eye focusing. After your procedure, the shape of your cornea will change again over the course of several years and you will likely need another corrective procedure.
Of course, results that last for 10 years are rather impressive, particularly when you consider how often glasses or other prescription lenses need to be updated or replaced. This procedure is meant to help patients with visual acuity so patients can enjoy 20/20 vision – in fact, about 90% of all patients who use this procedure can expect perfect vision after recovery. With this procedure, you can stop relying on corrective lenses for about a decade or sometimes longer.
Some patients worry that using this procedure will make their vision worse, but this is very rare. This is a corrective procedure to improve your vision. If you have concerns about potential vision worsening or regression, please be sure to speak with Dr. Patel during your consultation.
One of the best things about this corrective procedure is how quickly you will be able to see the results of your treatment. Many patients will be able to achieve perfect vision the day after this procedure or within several days of the treatment. Some people may need additional time to achieve 20/20 vision. The vast majority of people will have better vision within two to three months of their recovery period.
With an eye procedure, particularly one involving lasers, many patients assume they will have a long recovery time – but that isn’t the case with this procedure. In general, the recovery period for this treatment is six to 12 hours after the procedure, although some people may need as much as 24 to 72 hours for recovery.
Most people can go back to work or resume other normal activities about a day or two after their eye procedure. That said, depending on your level of comfort, you may want to take a few days to a week off work, particularly if your job involves spending a lot of time at a computer. Dr. Patel can give you more information on your recovery period after your procedure.
Although your recovery period will be very short, you will need to follow several post-treatment instructions so you can have the best results from your procedure. Rest is the best thing you can do during your recovery, especially since you will be discouraged from activities that involve your vision, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. Some of your post-treatment instructions may include:
On the day after your surgery, while you should continue to rest, you will be allowed to resume most normal activities. For example, you will be allowed to shower as long as you avoid getting soap or water into your eyes. You will be able to read, write, watch TV, or even drive short distances. About 72 hours after your surgery, you will be allowed to apply makeup, engage in light exercise, or enjoy certain outdoor activities with eye protection, such as swimming, golfing, and other sports.
Although eye cosmetics can make you feel beautiful, the fact of the matter is that these cosmetics contain a range of chemicals that may irritate the eye, which is something you must absolutely avoid after a procedure like LASIK. Additionally, removing eye cosmetics often means rubbing the eyes, which you are not allowed to do for the first few days after your treatment.
No, you should not drive after this eye procedure. We encourage all patients to arrange for transportation on the day of their treatment since driving will not be permitted while the eyes are still sensitive. Most people will not drive again until after at least 24 to 72 hours, based on how they are feeling and the quality of their vision.
Yes, you will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Patel after your procedure. In fact, you may have several appointments so Dr. Patel can monitor the progress of your recovery. Your first follow-up appointment may be as soon as the day after your surgery. Over the next six months, you will have other appointments. Many patients also see Dr. Patel about a year after the eye procedure to have a full eye exam to assess the quality of their vision.
There are several benefits that patients find attractive about this corrective procedure. The main benefit is that you will be able to correct common vision problems, such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness for at least 10 years. Some other benefits of this procedure include:
When these vision problems are corrected, you will no longer need to use contact lenses, glasses, or prescription sunglasses. Many patients find using corrective eyewear or lenses to be a hassle. With this eye procedure, you can greatly simplify your daily life. Some patients who misplace contact lenses or glasses and those who have a difficult time remembering to wear corrective lenses greatly benefit from this procedure.
Some eye procedures involve a lengthy recovery period, which can be difficult to manage if you lead a busy daily life. However, this procedure is designed to be minimally invasive so you have a faster recovery and faster results. Most patients will be able to enjoy the results of this procedure in as little as 24 hours.
Several factors are involved in determining your candidacy for this treatment. For example, people younger than 18 are not qualified for this treatment because their vision has not stabilized yet. People who are not in good general health, who have a compromised immune system, who are taking certain medications, and who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding are also not qualified for this treatment.
Some requirements for this procedure include:
Before you can schedule your eye procedure, you will need to attend a consultation appointment and an eye examination. The consultation will first assess whether or not this eye procedure is an ideal option for you based on your medical history and your vision goals. The eye exam will be comprehensive so Dr. Patel can get accurate measurements of your eyes, including a corneal composition, tear production, intraocular pressure, and eye refraction.
LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular corrective eye procedures in the world – and luckily for you, most people are good candidates for this treatment. The results of this procedure are known to last for 10 years or more. Please contact Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS to schedule your consultation with Dr. Patel today.