LASIK is a common surgery in the United States, with nearly 600,000 procedures occurring every single year. Statistically, this surgery has an extremely high success rate; nearly 92% of individuals experience 20/40 or better vision following the quick procedure. While the success rate of LASIK is high, many people understandably have questions and concerns regarding it. One of the commonly asked questions we hear is if you can get LASIK twice. In today’s blog post, we will answer that question for you!

Why Would You Need It More Than Once?

Before we get into the specifics of getting LASIK a second time, let’s consider why someone might need it twice in the first place. The most common reason to need LASIK a second time is age-related vision changes. Several factors, including how old you were when you had LASIK, your vision pre-surgery, and your family’s vision history, can contribute to the need for a second procedure.

Can You Get LASIK Twice?

Yes, it is possible to get LASIK twice. However, it is extremely uncommon to need the surgery twice, and the majority of individuals who undergo LASIK enjoy lasting improved vision after just one procedure. As mentioned before, age-related vision changes, not an ineffective first surgery, are the most common reasons for needing LASIK a second time. This is largely due to the fact that the surgery cannot prevent vision changes or loss; it can only correct current vision. For the few individuals who do need it a second time, they won’t typically need it until many years following surgery.

It is important to know that not every individual is a candidate for undergoing this eye surgery a second time. The surgeon who performed your first procedure will be able to determine if you are a candidate for a second round. Candidacy depends on your age, health condition, and the structure of your eyes.

LASIK Enhancement

There are rare cases in which LASIK does not result in desired vision improvements. Specifically, around 5% of procedures don’t yield vision improvements of 20/40 or better. In these cases, many individuals can undergo an enhancement procedure to fine tune their vision. This procedure is similar to LASIK; the main difference is that because a procedure was already created in the initial procedure, there is no need to make one during the enhancement.

If you aren’t satisfied with your vision following laser eye surgery, your ophthalmologist will be able to advise you on whether or not you are a candidate for this enhancement.

Other Situations

Cataracts
If someone develops cataracts years after surgery, their vision may be affected. In these situations, LASIK will not correct the issue; rather, cataract surgery would be required.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia is farsightedness that usually develops after age 40. Most doctors agree that presbyopia results from the thickening and loss of flexibility of the crystalline lens. If an individual develops presbyopia (whether before or after surgery), LASIK will not correct it. In these situations, glasses or corrective lenses will likely be prescribed.

Interested in learning more about presbyopia and laser eye surgery? Read our blog post Can Presbyopia Be Corrected with LASIK?

Eye Care in Austin, Texas

Whether you have already had LASIK once or never before, we’re here to help. If you live in Austin or the surrounding area and have questions about LASIK eye surgery, contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more.

Related Blog Posts

Do you have more questions about this common eye procedure? We have blog posts that cover a wide range of related topics, including the ones below.