Did you know that over 10 million Americans have received laser vision correction surgery since 1999? Laser vision correction surgery is a corrective surgery that restores clear vision. It corrects visual issues such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It works on the microscopic visual defects associated with these issues.

One of the most pertinent questions for patients who have undergone or want to undergo laser vision correction surgery is, “Will I need glasses or contacts after surgery?” This question has varied answers, depending on a few factors. These factors are the state of your eyes, your age, and your prescription.

What Is Laser Vision Correction Surgery?

Laser vision correction surgery is corrective eye surgery that treats vision issues. Usually, it has permanent effects, meaning you will not need glasses after receiving them. Laser vision correction surgery corrects three refractive eye errors:

• Myopia – Also known as nearsightedness. You can see things that are close more clearly than things far away
• Hyperopia - You can see things that are far away more clearly than those that are close
• Astigmatism - You see distorted images due to an error in the curvature of the eye

Why Will I Need Glasses After Laser Vision Correction Surgery?

While it corrects refractive eye errors, other issues might occur during or after surgery. These issues might cause you to need glasses after the surgery.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia, also known as farsightedness, is an age-related eye error. It begins to set between the ages of 40 and 50. In presbyopia, the eyes lens thickens and loses its elasticity. With the loss of elasticity, the lens cannot focus light on the retina.

It causes objects that are close to you to seem blurry. Laser vision correction surgery cannot correct presbyopia. You will need a prescription for reading glasses for the rest of your life unless you explore other surgical solutions.

Residual Astigmatism

Residual astigmatism refers to astigmatism that laser vision correction surgery does not work on. During corrective laser surgery, the doctor will use a laser to create a flap in the eye. This will expose the part behind the cornea. The surgeon then uses a second laser to reshape the curvature and thickness of your cornea.

This corrects the refractive error causing astigmatism. The eye is expected to heal in a particular shape, but this might not be the case. A slightly distorted eye can have residual astigmatism. You will need glasses to correct this.

Uncorrected Myopia

When the eyeball is longer than usual, or if the cornea’s curvature is too extreme, you will have myopia. This curvature or distance causes the cornea to focus light before reaching the retina. During laser vision correction surgery, the surgeon might only minimize myopia.

The correction of myopia involves removing corneal tissue. When the cornea is not thick enough to be corrected extensively, myopia will only reduce in this case.

For more on laser vision correction surgery, contact Laser Vision Delaware at our office in Wilmington, Delaware by calling (302) 656-2020 to book an appointment today.