Can LASIK be repeated if my vision has deteriorated?

although uncommon, sometimes some amount of spectacle power may develop after LASIK is done. This is called regression, and depending on various factors may be correctable through an 'enhancement' LASIK procedure.

The 2 most important factors to take into account are the amount of spectacle power to be treated, and the remaining corneal thickness.

These are similar to the parameters that are taken into account when LASIK is done the first time. Should the cornea be too thin or the spectacle power to be treated too high, then the doctor would advise you against doing any enhancement. Other factors would also be assessed during the pre-enhancement consult such as eye dryness, but mild dryness is not usually a factor against further surgery.

If you are very keen to have an enhancement, you should book an appointment with a LASIK surgeon and have the full work up, including possibly a discussion about monovision if you are in the presbyopic age group (above 40 years of age).

Safety and effectiveness are 2 of the most important considerations when trying to make a decision about whether one should proceed with any surgery.

Suffice to say that enhancement years following LASIK is possible but there are some important factors to consider before one can safely undergo enhancement surgery.

A basic requirement would be that there should be sufficient corneal thickness. Another would be that the cornea does not have any other abnormalities. Finally, the rest of the eye has to be in good working order.

Do pay a visit to your eye surgeon to have a thorough eye exam. That way, your eye surgeon will be able to answer the above questions about safety and effectiveness that are specific to your current situation.

Great question. Patients who return for concerns of deteriorating vision after previous Lasik are evaluated for the cause of their reduced visual acuity.

Once organic diseases are excluded (including corneal ectasia, surface epitheliopathy from dry eyes, cataracts or retinal issues) and if simple myopic regression is the cause, then the options available to the patient are further considered.

If spectacles and contact lenses are not desired, then Lasik enhancement may be considered if there is sufficient residual corneal stroma left behind after the first surgery. At the time of enhancement, many patients would consider an adjunctive procedure of collagen cross-linking to minimise the risk of myopia recurrence in future.

ESG