Laser vision correction (LVC) is intended to help achieve spectacles independence by way of correcting myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism. Generally speaking, patients should remain independent of glasses for both far and near distance until the mid to late 40s when most individuals will start to feel the effects of presbyopia (老花眼). At that age, patients will have to start using reading glasses for focusing near distances for activities like reading and sewing. They should still be able to maintain good far distance vision without the need for glasses.
Understand that LVC was never intended to correct presbyopia as the causes for it are occurring at the level of the lens which lies deep in the eye.
At 35 years of age or for that matter any age, you are the best judge as to whether LVC is still a worthwhile effort to enable you to be completely independent of glasses for at least the next 10 years, after which you should still be capable of focusing far without glasses. Reading glasses will only be needed for near visual tasks.
Your question is a good example why we encourage all out patient to analyse for themselves what their personal aims or goals are with regards to LVC. Different individuals will benefit from it in different ways.
For example, a person in their 40s who maintains a physically active lifestyle may very well benefit from having LVC at his or her age for activities like skiing, scuba diving, hiking or cycling. The patient may also avoid the need for expensive progressive glasses.
Ultimately, you are the best person to decide if LVC and being spectacle independent is a worthwhile endeavour. The surgeon’s role only becomes useful after you have made up your mind that it is so. That’s when we can help guide you on what treatment/s would best suit your needs.
