LASIKblog

Earlier this week, I performed LASIK on a friend in his late forties. This man had a +2.00 distance correction. That is, he was moderately farsighted, or hyperopic, in both eyes. Before surgery, he was having trouble biking, seeing road signs, and reading small print. When he returned the day after surgery he was 20/20 in both eyes, and reading the newspaper without his glasses. He was thrilled! He had not been able to see clearly for either distance or near for many years. I call this the “double whammy” of performing LASIK for farsightedness in people over 42. Their distance vision becomes excellent. Their reading vision also improves. Sometimes they end up in a “sweet spot” with good distance vision and good reading vision. I tell farsighted patients that their distance vision will be superb, and their reading vision will improve about 30%. I tell them they will, at some point, need reading glasses for fine print. They will probably need to make a trip to the drugstore to get over-the-counter magnifying glasses. My friend was probably a little disappointed when I told him his good reading vision may not last permanently. With age, and possible regression of the laser correction, he might need reading glasses in the next few years. I am sure he will enjoy good reading vision while it lasts, but he won’t be too surprised if he needs the help of magnifying glasses down the road. With nearsighted people, distance vision is also superb after LASIK. But, in people over 42, reading vision may be worse. In nearsightedness, or myopia, there is a “yin and yang” between distance and near. Most people prefer good distance vision over good reading vision. But, it is important that they be forewarned. We spend a good deal of “chair time” discussing presbyopia, the need for reading glasses, with our LASIK patients.

It is sometimes said that farsighted people are easier to please with LASIK. It is this double whammy of improved distance and reading vision that is responsible for their satisfaction.