An important thing to know is that the human body is constantly changing and nothing remains constant. The same holds true for the development of our eyes. While it is true that laser eye surgery, whether it be LASEK, LASIK or SMILE, is permanent. It is also just as important to know that there are a wide range of reasons as to why our vision, after correction, becomes impaired again.
Progression of vision deterioration
There is evidence to suggest that your vision may change over time if the condition that caused your vision deterioration continues to progress. This means that if the myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism continues, you might have vision that changes over time.
Presbyopia
Another reason for change in vision after initial procedures is a natural change in our eyes called presbyopia. Regardless of the history of vision correction surgery, presbyopia may occur in anyone after the age of 40 and wearing magnifying glasses may be necessary. Presbyopia happens when our eyes lose the natural ability to focus on objects that are nearby. An easy way to check whether you might have presbyopia is to hold a book at arms lengths and see if you are able to focus on the small size text.
Vision Deterioration
As mentioned in the introduction, vision correction is permanent. It should be remembered that vision correction surgery is corrective and not preventative. Therefore, vision correction surgery will correct your vision at the time of the surgery but it does not guarantee that your vision will remain corrected in years to come. Vision may change and deteriorate due to certain factors such as environmental and genetic factors, but mostly the corrected vision last about 10~20 years or a lifetime after the surgery.
When vision deteriorates, medication may be prescribed for treatment based on the recommendation of the surgeon after detailed eye examination. About 70% of vision deterioration after the surgery can be cured with eye drops. Also, re-operation can be proceeded depending on the residual corneal thickness and level of refractive errors. In this case, re-operation method will be LASEK after SMILE or LASEK surgery, and LASIK after LASIK surgery. .
Myths regarding vision deterioration
Let’s look at some myths regarding vision and see if they are true or false.
Myth: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for the eyes.
False: According to the AAO or, American Academy of Ophthalmology sitting close to a TV or computer screen will not cause bad eyesight. Sitting close to the TV, however, could be an indication that someone, especially kids, are nearsighted.
Myth: Computer use can damage the eyes.
True and False: Computers and phones won’t damage your eyes directly, according to the AAO. But, when watching TV or staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time, you tend to blink less. When you don’t blink enough your eyes start to become dry. When your eyes are dry you might experience eyestrain and chronic eye strain may lead to vision issues in the future.
Myth: Wearing glasses too much will make the eyes “dependent” on them.
False: Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) change as kids get older. Many variables come into play, but most of this change is likely due to genetics and continues despite wearing glasses earlier or later or more or less. Wearing glasses does not make the eyes get worse.