Is there any evidence to show that LASIK can worsen presbyopia?

Doctor's Answer

Photo of Dr Daphne Han
Dr Daphne Han

Ophthalmologist

Hi Jun Wei,

To my knowledge there is no data to show that LASIK can worsen presbyopia.

What you need to understand that when LASIK is performed to treat any eye degree, it does not stop the eye from aging. And presbyopia is basically an issue with the aging eye. At about 40 years old, human eyes start to lose its full ability to focus for near. This is compensated for by being short-sighted.

Whether you are not myopic by virtue of being simply "lucky" or not myopic because you had LASIK done to treat your myopia are the same when you get to around 40. You will start to be affected by presbyopia then.

Similarly, if you are myopic and did not bother to have LASIK before and are wearing contact lenses, you will still feel the effect of presbyopia while you are wearing your full correction in your contact lenses.

Having uncorrected myopia "neutralizes" the presbyopia, so to speak. But that will mean having to live with poor vision for far, which may young and active people will not be happy about!

Hope that helps to clarify your question :-)

Dr Han

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