I'm considering Lasik surgery. I do not need glasses to read. Will I need reading glasses after surgery?

Question

I am in my mid forties and have to take my glasses off to read. I currently need bifocals with the bottom half having no prescription.

Answer 1

Myopia is the term used for the refractive error in which a person can not see distant objects; here minus lenses are used for the correction.LASIK is the best solution to correct myopia at present.But it is not a 100% cure.If you are having comparitively less number then may be there is no need of spects for distant after the surgery.In some cases a very small correction is required after LASIK.
Now about the near vision for reading.Presbyopia is the term used for the difficulty in near vision.This is a normal age related change in the eyes which every person reaching his 40s get.everyone has to wear the near correction.
Lasik only corrects the distant vision.You will have to use spects for your reading purpose after your 40s.That too you can get rid of those after you get operated for cataract on both eyes in future.An intraocular lens which is implanted in your eyes has characteristics for focusing distance and near.There are multifocal intraocular lenses. After this you will not need any more spects throughout your life
Take care

Answer 2

You have to go without contacts but can wear your glasses prior to surgery. Are you using bifocals or two pairs of glasses, one for near and one for far? LASIK is usually used to correct distance vision (near sightedness and astigmatism) and then you will still need reading glasses. LASIK can also be used to create "monovision" where one eye is left a little nearsighted so that it can see well up close and the other eye is corrected for distance. About 75% of people can tolerate monovision and the surgeon will require that you try monovision first with contacts to make sure you can tolerate it. The link below discusses this in more detail.

Answer 3

I agree with what the above poster said. I had Lasik about 3 years ago in my 30's. I had perfect vision & didn't need glasses afterwards. But now that I'm approaching 40, I find myself having to move small print away from me and I'm sure I'll need the "reading" type glasses in a few years. Lasik won't cause or prevent that. It just one of those things. But my overall vision is still perfect and it's great to drive and swim and all those other things without glasses or contacts. I dont regret my decision one bit.

Answer 4

If you currently do not require reading glasses prior to surgery, then you will not require them after. But when the times arrives at that age you require reading glasses, you'll still need them. Lasik has no bearing on age.

Answer 5

Lasik treatment will definitely shift the focus of your eyes for distance vision at some expense to near vision. If your near vision is good, it will be fair after treatment. If near vision is only fair, it will become poor. For most people, it will be in the acceptable range except in poor light. I once set a menu on fire in a dimly lit restaurant trying to read it by candle fire after my Lasik. Just plan on reading glasses. Its well worth the trade off for good distance vision, which is you use most of the time.

Answer 6

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