I Had LASIK 20 Years Ago – Can I Have It Again?

You can have LASIK again after 20 years if your corneas are healthy and thick enough. A second procedure, called a LASIK enhancement, may correct new vision changes caused by aging. Your suitability depends on a detailed eye exam assessing corneal thickness, eye health, and any age-related conditions like presbyopia or cataracts.

The full answer

It’s been a couple of decades since you had LASIK, and lately, you’ve noticed your vision’s not quite as sharp as it used to be. You might have noticed you’re squinting at street signs or reaching for reading glasses more often, so you’re wondering – can I have LASIK again?

It’s a fair question. The good news? A second laser eye procedure is possible for some people but it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Contact us to book a consultation to determine your suitability for repeat LASIK in Adelaide.

In this article, we’ll look at when a repeat LASIK might be considered, why your eyes may have changed over time, and what alternatives are available if LASIK isn’t right for you anymore. If you have developed or regressed astigmatism, you may also want to check out our article Can you get LASIK with astigmatism?

Can LASIK be repeated years later?

If you had LASIK many years ago and your vision has changed, it’s natural to wonder whether you could have the procedure again. The short answer is – in some cases, yes, but it depends on a few important factors.

When a second laser eye surgery may be considered

A second LASIK procedure, sometimes referred to as an enhancement or touch-up, might be explored if your eyes are still healthy and your corneas meet certain safety criteria. Some people experience gradual changes in their vision over time, often related to aging or shifts in their prescription.

However, a second treatment isn’t automatically offered to everyone who’s had LASIK before. Your suitability would need to be assessed by a qualified eye surgeon using detailed scans and measurements of your eyes. This helps determine whether your corneas are still thick enough, and whether any other changes, such as the onset of cataracts or dry eyes, may be affecting your vision.

Common reasons people explore repeat LASIK or enhancement procedures

People often ask about repeat LASIK due to:

• Mild changes in long-distance vision
• Needing glasses again for certain tasks (like driving at night)
• A desire to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses

Sometimes, it's simply about wanting to explore their options as they notice changes in how clearly they see. It's worth noting that even if LASIK isn't suitable a second time, there may be other options depending on your individual situation.

What happens to the eyes over time after LASIK?

If you're thinking about having LASIK again after 10, 15 or even 20 years, the best place to start is with a personalised eye health assessment. That way, you can find out what’s happening with your vision and what options may be available now.

LASIK reshapes the cornea, but it doesn’t stop the eyes from aging. Over the years, many people experience normal age-related changes such as presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close-up objects, typically from your 40s onward), dry eyes and development of cataracts later in life.
These changes aren't caused by LASIK, but they can affect your overall vision and whether laser eye surgery is still suitable years down the track. We’ll take a closer look at some of these below.

Why vision can become blurry years after LASIK

It’s not uncommon for people to notice their vision changing again 10, 15, or even 20 years after LASIK. If things aren’t looking quite as sharp as they used to, there are several possible reasons and most have more to do with natural aging than the original surgery itself.

Natural aging vs. complications

In many cases, vision changes years down the track are due to the eye’s normal ageing process. A common example is presbyopia, the gradual loss of near vision that typically begins in your 40s. This affects most people, whether they’ve had laser eye surgery or not¹ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/presbyopia-a-to-z .

Other age-related changes can include dry eyes, watery eyes or the early development of cataracts² https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/common-age-related-eye-problems . These conditions aren’t caused by LASIK, but they can affect your vision over time.

Some individuals may experience long-term side effects or changes in their prescription after LASIK, although this is more likely to occur in those requiring a high initial prescription, over 40 years old or with astigmatism³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/#article-35813.s9 . A thorough assessment is the best way to understand what’s contributing to any current visual changes.

Blurry vision years after LASIK – What could be causing it?

There are a few common reasons why vision might become blurry again many years after the initial procedure:

• Presbyopia is the gradual loss of ability to focus on close objects. This typically starts in your 40s and may lead to the need for reading glasses, even if your long-distance vision is still clear⁴ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/presbyopia-a-to-z .
• Residual refractive error⁵ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/#article-35813.s9
• Dry eye symptoms⁶ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/common-age-related-eye-problems
• Cataracts can begin to form as early as your 50s or 60s. This is when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, often affecting clarity and contrast⁷ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/common-age-related-eye-problems
• Other changes in eye health unrelated to LASIK

Understanding the exact cause requires a detailed eye examination.

When to speak with a laser eye surgeon about changes in vision

If you’ve had LASIK in the past and your eyesight has started to change again, a consultation with a qualified laser eye surgeon can help clarify what’s going on. They’ll carry out detailed tests and scans to assess your current vision and eye health.

At IVISION LASER in Adelaide, our professionals can guide you through your options based on up-to-date diagnostics and clinical expertise.

What changes in the eye might affect suitability after 20 years?

Even if your first LASIK procedure gave you years of clear vision, the eyes continue to change with age⁸ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/common-age-related-eye-problems . These changes can influence whether a second laser eye surgery is suitable or whether another form of vision correction may be more appropriate.

Why a new assessment is essential after a long gap

If it’s been 10 or 20 years since your LASIK procedure, a full eye health check is a vital first step. Modern diagnostic tools can provide highly detailed scans of your cornea, lens, and overall eye condition. This helps your eye specialist understand what’s changed and whether a repeat LASIK, or a different procedure, might be suitable.

Corneal thickness plays a key role in LASIK eligibility. If the cornea was thinned during the original surgery, there may not be enough tissue left for a second treatment, or may pose additional risk⁹https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 – but this varies from person to person, which is why a personalised assessment is undertaken to determine suitability for a second procedure.

No assumptions should be made based on your first treatment – your eyes now may be very different from how they were then.

How vision needs often change after age 40

By your 40s and beyond, your lifestyle, habits, and eyesight needs may have shifted. You might now be more concerned with reading vision or night driving, for example.

These practical considerations are part of why treatment options are never one-size-fits-all. Even if LASIK was the right choice back then, your current needs may point to a different solution.

A tailored consultation is the best way to find out what’s possible based on your current eye health, prescription, and personal goals.

What is a LASIK touch-up – And is it the same as having LASIK again?

If your vision has shifted slightly since your original LASIK surgery, you might have heard the term LASIK touch-up. But what exactly does that mean and how is it different from having LASIK all over again?

A LASIK touch-up (sometimes called an enhancement) is a minor adjustment to refine the results of your original surgery. It’s generally considered when a person has had a small change in their prescription and their cornea still meets the safety requirements for laser correction. This is usually undertaken within the first year following initial surgery¹⁰ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/#article-35813.s9 .

Most enhancements involve less tissue removal for a smaller refractive correction¹¹ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36013070/ and quicker recovery than the initial surgery due to the process of re-lifting of an existing flap rather than creating one¹² https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31917845/ . Whether your situation would require an enhancement or repeat surgery will need to be determined by your specialist.

Is a LASIK touch-up worth it for mild changes?

Some people consider a touch-up if they notice a small return of short-sightedness or other prescription changes that affect tasks like driving or seeing distances clearly. Others may find that the change is minor and manageable with glasses or contact lenses, especially for specific activities.

Whether a touch-up is worthwhile depends on how much the change affects your day-to-day life and what you hope to achieve. It’s also important to consider your age, eye health, and whether other procedures might be more suitable.

Your eye specialist will talk through the risks, benefits, and likely outcomes so you can make an informed decision based on your personal situation.

Second LASIK surgery risks

If you’re thinking about having LASIK again after many years, it’s important to understand how the risks might differ from your first procedure. While many people are curious about the possibility of a second surgery, it’s not a decision to rush, especially if your eyes have changed with age.

How risks may differ the second time around

A second LASIK procedure can carry different risks compared to the original surgery. This is largely due to changes in the cornea and overall eye health over time. For example, if your cornea was thinned during your initial treatment, there may be less tissue available to safely reshape the surface again¹³ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 .

There may also be an impact on recovery time depending on your individual eye profile and health history. Your eye surgeon will weigh up these considerations carefully before recommending any form of repeat treatment.

Potential complications and safety considerations

As with any eye procedure, complications are possible whether it’s a first-time LASIK or a follow-up. Some of the known risks that may be discussed include¹⁴ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/#article-35813.s9 :

• Fluctuations in vision or undercorrection
• Dry eye symptoms
• Night vision changes such as glare or halos
• Rare but possible risks associated with corneal thinning

The likelihood of these risks depends heavily on your eye health, corneal measurements, and other clinical findings. That’s why blanket answers about safety don’t apply, each case is different.

Before any second LASIK procedure is considered, your eyes will need to be assessed using diagnostic technology to check corneal thickness, surface shape, tear production, and other key markers of eye health.

At IVISION LASER, your consultation includes a detailed review of your current vision, your previous procedure (if records are available), and your goals moving forward. This allows your specialist to give personalised advice and help you explore whether LASIK, or another treatment, is the most suitable next step.

Alternatives if repeat LASIK isn’t an option

Not everyone will be suitable for a second LASIK procedure, and that’s completely okay. If your eyes have changed in ways that make laser surgery less suitable, there are still other ways to manage your vision.

As we age, many people begin using reading glasses or opt for different types of vision correction, depending on their needs. In some cases, lens replacement or cataract surgery may be more appropriate, especially if age-related changes are the main issue.

The good news is that your eye specialist can talk you through your options. If LASIK isn’t recommended, you can discuss alternatives such as lens replacement, reading glasses, or other corrective treatments available from your specialist or here at IVISION LASER.

What matters most is finding the option that suits your current vision, lifestyle, and eye health – and that starts with a personalised consultation.

Final thoughts: Is a second LASIK procedure right for you?

If your vision has changed since your original LASIK surgery, it’s understandable to wonder whether a second procedure could help. While repeat LASIK is possible for some people, it’s not always the right fit for everyone and that’s why personalised advice matters.

Importance of a personalised approach

Every eye is different and so is every vision journey. What worked for you 20 years ago may not be the best option now, especially if age-related changes have come into play. That’s why a thorough assessment is key to making informed decisions about your vision.

At IVISION LASER, your consultation will focus on your current eye health, lifestyle needs, and long-term goals, not just your past procedure.

How to book a consultation at IVISION LASER in Adelaide

If you’ve had LASIK in the past and are curious about what’s possible now, the best next step if you’re in Adelaide is to book a consultation with our team. We’ll carry out a full assessment and help you understand your options moving forward.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products and methods mentioned are not a substitute for professional medical advice from a trained healthcare specialist. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Use of the information and products discussed is at your own risk.