LASIK is a widely adopted surgical procedure designed to correct various vision impairments. Many individuals considering or undergoing this surgery often wonder if it will completely eliminate the need for corrective eyewear, including reading glasses. This article will clarify the relationship between LASIK surgery and the eventual need for reading assistance.
The Nature of Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an age-related condition that gradually diminishes the eye’s ability to focus on close-up objects. This occurs because the eye’s natural lens, located behind the iris, begins to harden and lose its elasticity over time. The ciliary muscles surrounding the lens also become less effective at changing its shape.
This stiffening impairs the lens’s ability to accommodate, or change focus, for near tasks like reading or working on a computer. Symptoms manifest in a person’s early to mid-40s, making it challenging to see small print clearly. Presbyopia affects nearly everyone, regardless of their prior vision.
What Standard LASIK Corrects
Standard LASIK surgery works by precisely reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. This procedure corrects refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. By altering the cornea’s curvature, LASIK enables light to focus directly onto the retina, improving distance vision.
During LASIK, a thin flap is created in the cornea, which is then lifted. A laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to correct the refractive error. The flap is then repositioned. It is important to note that standard LASIK does not involve or alter the eye’s natural lens.
Why Reading Glasses May Still Be Needed
Despite achieving excellent distance vision after standard LASIK, individuals will still experience presbyopia as they age. This is because LASIK corrects issues with the cornea, while presbyopia stems from changes within the eye’s natural lens.
Even someone with perfect distance vision post-LASIK will eventually struggle with near tasks, starting in their 40s. The eye’s natural lens loses its ability to accommodate, a process unrelated to corneal shape. Reading glasses then become necessary to compensate for this age-related decline in near vision.
Approaches to Near Vision After LASIK
For individuals who have undergone LASIK and later develop presbyopia, several options can help manage near vision challenges. The most common solution involves using over-the-counter reading glasses. These magnify close-up text and objects, making them clear and legible.
Another approach is Monovision LASIK, where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is intentionally left slightly nearsighted for near vision. This allows the brain to adapt and use each eye for its designated focus, providing a range of vision without glasses. However, Monovision is a compromise, and some individuals may experience reduced depth perception or find it difficult to adjust. People may also opt for contact lenses designed for presbyopia or consider later surgical interventions such as refractive lens exchange, which replaces the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens.