Can You Have LASIK Eye Surgery Twice?

LASIK can serve as the starting point for a life of clear eyesight. When patients describe it as a transformative experience, they are not exaggerating. Dr. Caster himself has had the procedure and understands the thrilling benefits it can have. However, patients want to know if they may need a second procedure. So, can you have LASIK eye surgery twice? Do patients ever need to?

Can You Have LASIK Eye Surgery Twice?

In short, yes. You can have two or more LASIK procedures over a lifetime. However, instances where you would require additional LASIK operations are rare. After the first procedure, most patients will have improved eyesight that lasts a lifetime.

These long-term results happen because the procedure makes permanent changes to the eye’s shape. By reshaping the cornea itself, your LASIK surgeon improves how light hits your retina. This enhanced refraction allows your eyes to report a clearer image to your brain.

Why Would Patients Need LASIK Twice?

Eyesight can deteriorate for different reasons. From injury to disease, the eyes have vulnerabilities due to their complexity. LASIK can provide lasting results, but some patients may need a second procedure.

Failed First Procedure

LASIK may be a short procedure, but its complexity cannot be overstated. Going outside the country to chase cheap LASIK deals or working with an unskilled surgeon may hurt your chances of a successful procedure.

With a failed LASIK procedure, the refraction errors the surgery attempts to correct could show little improvement. In rare cases, they may even worsen. The best way to avoid this is to work with a surgeon who has an outstanding track record. For example, Dr. Caster has performed over 30,000 successful procedures in his career. That is a sign you are in good hands.

Eye Changes

Changes to the eye’s shape or the cornea can affect how light passes through the eye. For most patients, the eye will not change enough to require having LASIK twice. Only about 1 in 10 patients would benefit from a second LASIK procedure 10 years after their first one.

In fact, most LASIK surgeons will not perform a second procedure any earlier than 5–10 years after the first. While the procedure has minimal risk, surgeons prefer to reserve retreatment for significant cases.

When Not to Have LASIK a Second Time

If you have vision issues due to refractive errors, then a second laser eye surgery can likely help. However, vision changes due to other causes will not respond to a second round of surgery.

Cataracts

The lens is a clear, curved structure between the pupil and retina. Normally, it remains clear and allows light to pass without issue. When it becomes cloudy, we call this condition cataracts.

Since LASIK only affects the cornea, it will not impact cataracts. However, that does not mean you have no options. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with a custom-made artificial one. The effects can be stunning, from improved clarity to sudden vibrancy in colors.

Many patients with vision concerns may actually have cataracts rather than myopia.

Glaucoma

This eye disease involves damage to the optic nerve. As it progresses, it can cause a notable decline in eyesight, eventually leading to blindness. However, treatments exist that can slow the progression of the disease.

Routine eye checkups play a crucial role in catching the disease at earlier stages. At present, medical treatments cannot reverse optic nerve damage. Though we may eventually develop such procedures, for now, early detection to give patients more time with their eyesight is the best course.

How Do I Know If I Need a Second LASIK Surgery?

We recommend that patients have a yearly eye checkup. Even if they have not noticed vision changes, this routine visit can prove beneficial. Your optometrist may spot warning signs of future issues, giving you a heads-up on how to address them.

Another reason to schedule an appointment is if you have noticed changes to your vision. These changes might seem like a regression to previous vision quality. They may also involve new changes, such as a dimming of vision or a decrease in night vision.

Visiting a specialist will give you the chance to have a full evaluation. Based on the cause of those vision changes, you can build a new plan for your eyesight moving forward.

A Pioneer in Laser Eye Surgery

Dr. Caster was one of the first surgeons to perform LASIK laser eye surgery, and he has only improved since then. Visit his office in LA to unlock a world of clarity with world-class LASIK.