Will I need glasses after laser eye surgery?

One of the most common reasons people consider laser eye surgery is to finally say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses. But a question many ask is: will I ever need glasses again afterward?

The answer depends on your age, your prescription, and how your eyes change over time. Let's explore what you can realistically expect after LASIK, LASEK, or TransPRK.

How laser eye surgery works

Laser eye surgery reshapes your cornea so light focuses correctly on your retina. Once this change is made, it's permanent. The cornea doesn't "grow back" into its old shape.

So if your vision is stable before surgery, your eyes should remain clear for years to come.

When you might not need glasses anymore

Many people find they no longer need glasses or contacts for everyday activities after laser eye surgery. That includes:

• Driving
• Watching TV
• Using a computer
• Sports and outdoor activities.

For many, the freedom from glasses is life-changing.

Why you might still need glasses later

Even after successful surgery, there are situations where you might use glasses again:

• Age-related changes: As we get older, the natural lens inside the eye becomes less flexible. This is called presbyopia and usually starts in your 40s. It affects close-up vision, meaning you may eventually need reading glasses.
• Natural prescription shifts: In rare cases, vision can change slightly over time, meaning you may need a mild prescription again.
• Other eye conditions: Cataracts or other age-related conditions can affect vision, even if your laser surgery results were excellent.

Enhancements after surgery

Sometimes, a small top-up procedure (called an enhancement) can fine-tune vision if it isn't quite perfect or if your prescription changes later. At My Eye Clinic, enhancement cover is included if needed within your aftercare period.

The role of lifestyle

Think about how you use your vision day-to-day. For example:

• Someone who reads for hours every day may still prefer reading glasses later in life.
• Someone who drives at night might benefit from very mild glasses years after surgery, even if their daytime vision is fine.

So, will you need glasses again?

For most people, laser eye surgery provides years, even decades, of freedom from glasses and contacts. While you may eventually need reading glasses or a light prescription with age, your overall dependence on glasses will be dramatically reduced.

Many patients say that even if they need glasses later, the years of clear vision and convenience were worth it.

Next steps

The best way to know what results to expect is to have a detailed consultation.

Take our suitability self-test, it only takes a minute and gives you an instant idea if laser eye surgery could help you.