But just how long can you expect your LASIK results to last? This is a common question we hear from our patients. In this blog post, we discuss the answer in detail.
The Truth About LASIK
In most cases, the clearer vision achieved from LASIK is considered to be permanent. Some patients may require surgical enhancement three to nine months after the initial LASIK treatment in order to attain their final visual outcome. In even rarer cases, some patients experience regression in their vision following LASIK. For these patients, a secondary vision correction treatment can be performed to correct the regression. Because LASIK results vary from patient to patient depending on a number of factors, it is highly recommended you schedule a consultation with Austin Eye to get a better idea of the type of results you can expect.
While LASIK is a safe and effective way to correct certain conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, it does not protect against age-related eye conditions. Many people over age 40 develop presbyopia, an age-related condition that makes it more difficult to see up close. In these cases, reading glasses may become necessary. Other age-related conditions include cataracts, which can be successfully removed through surgery.
How to Maintain Healthy Vision After LASIK
Taking care of your eyes is important, regardless of whether you have had LASIK or not. Here are a few ways you can keep your vision in top-notch form at all times:
Eat eye-friendly foods. Research shows that eating certain foods can reduce your risk of certain eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Be sure to eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cold-water fish and walnuts.
Exercise regularly. Not only does exercise keep your heart healthy, it also plays a role in your eye health. Some studies have found exercise can reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
Protect your eyes from the sun. Wearing sunglasses can safeguard your eyes from retinal damage and reduce your risk of certain conditions like cataracts. Be sure to wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays year round, even during cloudy weather.
Schedule a routine eye exam. Annual eye exams are necessary even after LASIK surgery. A comprehensive eye exam can detect serious vision-threatening eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts and allow your eye doctor to treat these conditions as early as possible. Additionally, eye exams are also important for detecting (rare) LASIK complications. Detecting a complication as early as possible allows our experienced eye surgeons to address the issue promptly.
For more information on LASIK or to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, contact Austin Eye today. Please call our North office at (512) 250-2020 or our Central office at (512) 454-2020.
