Blurry vision 5 years after LASIK often stems from natural aging (like presbyopia for near vision) or slight regression (a small shift back to your original prescription), not necessarily a failure of the surgery itself, but could also be due to dry eyes, early cataracts, or other eye health changes, requiring an eye exam to determine if an enhancement or reading glasses are needed.
This is called LASIK regression. It can happen months or even years after your initial LASIK surgery. It's not the same as normal aging changes or side effects like dry eye or glare—it's a gradual return of some of your refractive errors, which can cause blurry vision.
Overcorrection happens when the laser treatment removes slightly more or slightly less tissue than intended, shifting the focal point past the ideal target. This shift creates the sensation that your vision is “too strong” or that your prescription has flipped slightly in the opposite direction.
Worsening Eyesight
If your vision seems worse after surgery and keeps worsening, this often means that LASIK wasn't successful. It should correct vision problems, not make them more severe.
In an interview that broke the internet (literally—over 1.3 million viewers crashed YouTube), Taylor didn't just announce her new album “The Life of a Showgirl.” She casually credited LASIK with helping her fully experience the emotional connections that made her tour so special.
Generally, there is no cap or specific number of times a person can undergo LASIK eye surgery. The main factor in determining if you are a LASIK enhancement candidate typically depends on the health of your eyes, the stability of your vision, and the reason for considering a second procedure.
One of the most relevant complications is flap dislocation, which is not confined by any time frame and can happen from weeks up to years after surgery and is mostly related to mechanical injury, either by the patient or an external source.
There is virtually no chance that your vision after the procedure will be worse than before. In rare cases, if the initial condition affecting your vision continues to progress, vision may change over time.
Some people experience a hazing or clouding effect on their vision (corneal haze) that occurs about three to six months after surgery. It's usually temporary, but in up to 10% of people, it's permanent.
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The short answer is yes; it is possible to have more than one LASIK surgery. However, whether or not you are a good candidate for a second procedure depends on several factors, including your eye health, age, and the reason for the first surgery.
The FDA approval for LASIK is for prescriptions of nearsightedness up to -12.00, farsightedness up to +6.00, and astigmatism up to 6.00D. An experienced surgeon will consider patients on a case-by-case basis, and most will set a prescription limit that is lower than the FDA approved corrections.
Rebenitsch thinks that LASIK is down because patients under the age of 40 are more affected by economic challenges than those over 40. Those under 40 don't have as much money as they used to, but Dr. Rebenitsch thinks it will bounce back. “Our March numbers were much better than February.
PCO can be detected by an optometrist (optician) when they examine your eyes during an eye test. Using a bright light, they will be able to see the cells clouding the posterior capsule. If PCO is causing symptoms and impacting your vision, your optometrist can refer you to the eye hospital for YAG laser treatment.
Symptoms that some people have after laser procedures include glare, halos, and starbursts around headlights and streetlights. LASIK and other procedures also can sometimes cause irregular astigmatism, with accompanying blurred and/or distorted vision.
According to a 2020 meta-analysis published in Ophthalmology, around 10% of LASIK patients may experience some regression after a decade, meaning their vision could drift slightly back toward nearsightedness or astigmatism (Schaefer et al., 2020).
We ask that you avoid wearing contact lenses and make-up prior to LASIK surgery. To avoid potential complications, we request patients wearing soft contact lenses discontinue their contacts 2 weeks prior to surgery, while those wearing hard or gas permeable contacts discontinue them 3 weeks prior.
During the initial LASIK procedure, a new flap is created, while for an enhancement, the LASIK surgeon typically re-lifts the existing flap, a quick and painless process. Other potential options include PRK, a limbal relaxing incision (LRI), or creating a new flap.
Our study demonstrates that flap removal after LASIK-induced complications is a viable option in patients unresponsive to medical treatment. Similar to our results after epithelial ingrowth, Kymionis et al. reported good visual outcomes with corrected visual acuity of 20/32 at 6 months after amputation.
Most patients remain happy with their vision following LASIK for at least 10 years. After that, it's possible for your eyes to have changed enough to require additional correction. Studies in the United States show that about 10% of patients required retreatment within 12 years because of vision changes due to age.
Testing in the LASIK evaluation process is vital, and without proper testing, a patient cannot be adequately screened.
Most enhancements are done between 3 and 12 months after the original surgery, though they can sometimes be performed years later. Ensuring your prescription is stable and your eyes are fully healed maximises both safety and results.
Con: Some LASIK risks are possible
Although LASIK may cause dry eyes for up to three months (and can be managed with artificial tears), the odds of it becoming a permanent issue are rare. Another uncommon side effect: nighttime glare or halos.