How Long Does LASIK Last? LASIK Touch Ups?

Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, LASIK is the most studied elective procedure. As such, studies have shown that the procedure is both safe and effective, with complications only happening in rare instances. One study of 200 eyes over a ten-year period that had undergone LASIK and PRK procedures showed that focus ability had excellent long-term results and patients, on average, maintained 20/25 vision.

Any person considering vision correction surgery should consult with a trained ophthalmologist who possesses extensive experience in LASIK, like those at Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland. Ophthalmologists can cover all the risks and benefits of vision correction surgery.

LASIK Outcomes – What to Expect

After the initial healing period of 3 to 6 months LASIK results have proven constant. If you are over the age of 40 to 45 when you have the LASIK procedure, your visual acuity should remain consistent for the rest of your life, assuming that you don’t develop cataracts or other age-related eye diseases.

If you are under the age of 40 when your LASIK procedure is performed, you must realize that your near-sightedness will change due to age, and you’ll likely need some type of optical correction, such as reading glasses, bifocals, or contacts, in lieu of further surgical treatment.

Considering a LASIK Touch up

Follow-up LASIK treatments may be advisable if your normal and natural vision has changed since your original procedure. You can postpone LASIK touch ups by utilizing glasses or contacts, but after life without visual aids, you may not wish to go that route again. Follow-up procedures are rarely as extensive as the original LASIK surgery, so consider a touch up LASIK procedure if:

Your vision has changed in one or more eyes
You prefer foregoing glasses for reading
You have enough corneal thickness remaining (your ophthalmologist will make this determination)

Has your vision degraded in one or both of your eyes after LASIK surgery? Our ophthalmologists at Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland can examine your eyes to see if major eye changes warrant a LASIK enhancement. Please contact us or fill out the online appointment request to see one of our doctors.

Lutherville/Towson Office
1209 York Road, Suite 200, Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone: 410-821-9490 · Fax: 410-821-9495
Directions & Contact Information (Lutherville)
Mercy Medical Center
301 St. Paul Place, Suite 902, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-727-8380 · Fax: 410-625-9472
Directions & Contact Information (Mercy)

Disclaimer: The Maryland LASIK Doctors of Katzen Eye Group provide information about choosing a LASIK surgeon, dermal fillers, and other vision correction surgery procedures to patients in Baltimore, Lutherville, Towson, Dundalk, Glen Burnie, Columbia, and throughout Maryland. Information on this website is not intended as medical advice. Patients seeking medical advice should contact an experienced Laser Eye Surgeon.