LASIK and Reading Glasses

Oklahoma City and Edmond, Oklahoma

 

While not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, it can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts in most patients. The three types of vision problems that can often be corrected by LASIK are:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Astigmatism

Not all nearsighted or farsighted individuals will benefit from LASIK as some may need a different type of vision correction. Patients who are both nearsighted and farsighted may benefit from LASIK, but traditional LASIK dictates that only one of the problems can be treated. A type of LASIK called Monovision LASIK may be an option, but some patients prefer or are recommended to correct their farsightedness with LASIK, and wear glasses for reading.

 

LASIK Permanent, Not Preventative

The necessity to wear reading glasses after LASIK is a common one. While LASIK is considered a “permanent” procedure, it cannot prevent future eye injury or age-related vision changes. The most common type of mid-life vision change is called presbyopia.

 

Presbyopia is simply a normal condition of eyes aging and affects a large percentage of the population. Most frequently, presbyopia becomes apparent with the need for reading glasses or magnification for reading small print. It may also manifest as the need to hold documents at arm’s length to be able to read.

 

LASIK is for Steady Eye Prescriptions

If you have undergone LASIK, you may still suffer from presbyopia in the future, and may find it necessary to wear reading glasses. The need to wear reading glasses, either directly after LASIK or at a later time, does not indicate that the LASIK procedure was not successful. Keep in mind that LASIK can correct only vision problems which require a stable prescription for a minimum of one year. Progressive degeneration or conditions such as cataracts must be treated with other vision correction procedures.

 

Please learn more about LASIK and reading glasses by contacting Hummel Eye Associates to make an appointment with Dr. Chris Hummel, serving Oklahoma City and Edmond, Oklahoma.