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Is LASIK Eye Surgery Permanent?

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 09, 2012

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Question: Is LASIK Eye Surgery Permanent?
I hate wearing glasses, and I'm not a candidate for contact lenses. If I undergo LASIK eye surgery, will the results be permanent?
Answer: Will the results (hopefully positive results) of LASIK eye surgery be permanent? Yes and no.

During LASIK eye surgery, an eye surgeon reshapes your cornea by destroying part of it with a laser. This change is permanent and the eye tissue will not grow back.

As for your vision, the changes in your vision after LASIK eye surgery is performed may or may not be permanent, as your eye is still capable of changing internally. For this reason, LASIK eye surgery is not recommended for children. The eyes go through several changes as they grow and develop. Children often need to have their vision adjusted, usually up until the age of 18. If LASIK eye surgery is delayed until most vision changes have occured, achieving lasting results is much more likely. However, it is possible that you will require a thin prescription at some point in time after undergoing eye surgery.

Source:

Eye Surgery Education Council. LASIK FAQ's, 2003.

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