Expected after surgery side-effects

[Flynangel]

My daughter is 20 years old, she wants to have a LASIK surgery to correct her eye vision as many of her friends have done. I am worried about after effects. I am considering having one too, and I am 47 years old. I am short-sighted. I don't need reading glasses, but I wear glasses whn I drive or watch TV. What should we expect and how long does the correction surgery results remain. What are future consequences of the surgery?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Flynangel]

Thank you for replying to my post. Your reply was very helpful.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives to read the many posts about lasik.

You should expect that if it works that you will no longer be able to see near objects without your glasses and you will need glasses for shopping, computer, reading.

Your daughter should do fine (if her myopia is within the amount that can be corrected) until she is in her early mid 40's then she will have the same trouble.

JCH MD

[Winterpeg]

Hi Flynangel:
Your daughter's perscription should be stable for at least a few years before she considers Lasik. For yourself, I had Lasik done when I was 42 years old,14 years ago, and I occassionaly use readers. My night vision is not as sharp but age does that and I have a pair of anti-reflective glasses with a minor perscription for night driving.
LOng term effects, who knows.
I was -15.0 in both eyes when I had the surgery. Left eye is still perfect but right eye developed a macular tear 2 years ago and I then had to have cataract surgery on that eye this year. This was due to my extreme near-sightedness.
Hope this helps: