In most of the cases, the outcomes and results of Lasik are permanent, however, it may not be the same case for 100% Lasik patients, because of various factors. Hence, sometimes there may be a need arising to undergo the Lasik laser eye surgery again.
Why Lasik Second Time?
Lasik surgery is meant for correcting refractive error that cause hyperopedia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism. After the surgery, these problems can be corrected by correcting the existing error. However, there are also chances that the same problem may occur again, because of various factors, such as age, poor lifestyle, no special care for the eyes, etc. No matter what the cause is, there may be a need arising to undergo the same surgery again. Though it is a rare condition, yet it is possible, because of various causes. Lesser than 5% of Lasik patients have the probability of going back for the Lasik surgery.
What is Second Time Lasik Surgery Called?
Lasik eye surgery, when required to perform for the second time, it is called as touch-ups or enhancement surgery. Usually, the need for this surgery is identified during the period of recovery, while the follow-up visits are made by the Lasik patients. On the other hand, Lasik eye surgery may be needed after decades of the first Lasik also, as the vision becomes deteriorated with the age and other factors.
How To Find the Need For Second Lasik Surgery?
Lasik is definitely a procedure that is long-lasting, but does not fix all kinds of errors associated with the vision, because other vision problems, like cataract, presbyopia are not caused from cornea, etc.
Usually changes in vision get started after 40s. Refractive errors may get developed, apart from the presbyopia or cataract. In such cases, Lasik surgery will be needed, though it is second time. When the second procedure is required, it requires another flap creation. And most of the eye surgeons prefer to perform second Lasik procedure only after 5 to 10 years of previous Lasik surgery.
If the first Lasik surgery is incomplete or any complications occur or the cornea surface correction is underdone or overdone, the second surgery performed is usually enhancement procedure, right after the first Lasik surgery. In case the refractive error is developed after a few years, a full-fledged Lasik surgery would be required after a couple of years or decades.
Who Decides the Need for Second Lasik?
Usually, the problem of vision starts after 40s and eventually, the patient prefers to go to the same medical center, where one had Lasik surgery before. There, basic eye examination is performed, considering overall vision related problems. Most commonly the problem of vision is caused from presbyopia or cataract. When these two causes are ruled out, the other possible cause for the vision problem would be usually, refractive error, in most of the cases. If any one of the two above are the causes, eventually, the respective treatment would be required, as Lasik cannot treat those conditions. On the other hand, if the refractive error causes the vision problem, there will be need for Lasik surgery for the second time.
All these assessments and determination of the respective treatment, Lasik or no Lasik is done by the medical center and the eye doctor only. Eventually, one is qualified for the Lasik. So, technically, yes, Lasik surgery can be performed twice.