Can You Have Laser Eye Surgery Twice?
24 June 2019
Laser eye surgery is a great solution when you’re struggling with poor vision. Sharp, focused distance vision is something that you can enjoy for years to come, but there are situations whereby you may notice a slight regression in the quality of your sight.
Albeit quite uncommon, there are instances where you may need re-treatment. There is a range of criteria that will need to be checked in order for you to continue with your second laser treatment and your suitability will be determined by an optometrist.
Although there are many factors that contribute to your suitability, many people aren’t aware of two of the most important:
-Thickness of the corneal tissue
-The amount of the corneal tissue that will need removing in the second re-treatment.
Alongside the two mentioned above, general eyesight, genetics and age play a big part in the healing process post-surgery. You may experience blurred vision or glare (particularly after LASEK treatment), but this generally subsides after a few weeks.
How long does laser eye surgery last?
The majority of patients enjoy the benefits of laser eye surgery for years, up until they require treatment to correct their reading vision (Lens Replacement Surgery). The muscles around your eye weaken as you age, which is a contributing factor to vision deterioration.
What happens in a laser re-treatment?
In your initial treatment, the surgeon will have removed corneal tissue (including Wavefront treatment), reshaping the surface of your eye. What this effectively does, is allows light to enter the eye and refract correctly to properly focus on objects in the distance.
The higher your prescription, the higher the amount of tissue that will need to be removed. It’s not possible for this tissue to be replaced and it will not grow back.
In your consultation to determine if you are suitable (remember, this is case by case, dependent on the individual), the specialist will accurately measure the thickness of your cornea to check if it is possible to retreat. If they decide that there is not a sufficient amount of tissue to work with, you will be informed in your consultation, alongside a discussion around what your alternative options are.
Will I definitely need to have laser eye surgery again?
The chances of needing a second laser eye treatment are slim, is down to the variables mentioned, including over healing or under healing.
As we previously highlighted, as you get older, you will be required to wear reading glasses or contact lenses, due to presbyopia. This may not affect your distance vision, however, that is the inevitable process of aging. This is not sufficient enough to require a second laser treatment, and is therefore not a factor that the optometrist will take into account when assessing your suitability.
In some cases, such as with Ultralase Eye Clinics Ltd, you are required to attend an eye test at your local opticians, to ensure that your vision is up to standard. This is also to ensure that your Lifetime Guarantee remains valid, where, if necessary, laser eye re-treatment is included in the package.
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