Is laser eye surgery permanent?

When people think about laser eye surgery, one of the most common questions is: Is it permanent?

It’s a fair question. Laser eye surgery is designed to change the way your eye focuses light, and for many people, the results last a long time. But your eyes, like the rest of your body, can still change with age.

Here’s what you need to know.

How laser eye surgery works

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of your eye. This helps light focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. The goal is to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

The procedure changes the cornea’s shape permanently. However, your eyes themselves can still change over time.

Does the correction wear off?

Laser eye surgery does not “wear off.” The laser reshaping is permanent. But natural changes in your eyes can affect your vision in the years after surgery.

For example:

• Prescription changes: Some people’s eyes continue to change slightly, especially if they had unstable prescriptions before surgery.
• Ageing: After 40, most people develop presbyopia, which makes near vision harder. This happens whether you’ve had laser surgery or not.
• Cataracts: As you get older, the natural lens inside your eye can become cloudy. This affects vision and is unrelated to the cornea treated during laser surgery.

How long do results last?

Most people enjoy stable results for many years. Research shows that laser eye surgery is very effective at reducing the need for glasses or contacts.

But results vary between individuals. Factors include:

• Age at the time of surgery
• Stability of prescription
• General eye health
• Lifestyle and visual needs

What if my vision changes later?

If your prescription changes slightly after laser eye surgery, you may need glasses for some tasks. In some cases, a second laser treatment (called an enhancement) may be possible if your cornea is healthy and thick enough.

If changes are due to ageing (like presbyopia or cataracts), other treatments may be more suitable. For example, PresbyMAX or cataract surgery may be needed later in life.

Can laser eye surgery prevent ageing changes?

No. Laser eye surgery can’t stop natural age-related changes like presbyopia or cataracts. It treats your current prescription, but your eyes will still age naturally.

Is it worth it if it’s not forever?

Many patients say yes. Even if they need glasses again later in life, they often enjoy many years of clear vision without glasses or contacts for most activities.

For people who choose procedures like PresbyMAX, blended vision may help with both near and far tasks for many years.

What should I do next?

If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery, the first step is to check your suitability. Everyone’s eyes are different, and a full assessment will tell you if the procedure is right for you.

You can start now with our free online self-test. It’s quick and gives you an idea of whether a consultation may be worthwhile.