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Medically Reviewed
Written by Pooja Rawat, Medical Content Writer
Femtosecond-assisted (Femto) laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can provide long-lasting vision correction, and for many people, the results remain stable for many years.
Femto LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery. This method, along with other refractive surgeries, is used to reshape the cornea of the eye in an effort to resolve vision problems.
However, this laser eye surgery does not stop the natural ageing of the eyes. Changes in your prescription can happen over time because of ageing, eye conditions, or other factors. Sometimes, additional treatment may be considered, depending on your eye health, corneal thickness, and individual circumstances.
What Is Femto LASIK?
Femto LASIK eye surgery is an advanced vision correction technique.
It uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap, followed by an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.
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It is commonly performed for refractive errors like:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness
- Hyperopia or farsightedness
- Astigmatism
It is known to offer enhanced accuracy and safety compared to traditional LASIK.
How Long Does Femto LASIK Last?
For many suitable individuals, the vision correction achieved through Femto LASIK can remain stable for many years and potentially decades. However, there is no fixed expiration date for femtosecond-assisted (Femto) laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
The procedure permanently reshapes the cornea, but it cannot prevent natural changes in the eye. Over time, your prescription can change because of ageing, hormonal changes, certain eye issues, or other factors.
Factor | How it can affect long-term vision |
Corneal reshaping | The surgical correction is intended to be permanent. |
Ageing | Natural changes can affect near or distance vision. |
Eye health | Conditions such as cataracts can change vision. |
Original prescription | Higher corrections may have a higher chance of regression. |
Individual healing | Healing and response differ between individuals. |
Prescription stability | Stable vision before surgery supports predictable results. |
Why Can Vision Change After Femto LASIK?
Changes in vision may happen because the eye itself continues to change.
Remember, the cornea does not simply go back to its original shape because the LASIK effect has expired.
Also Read: LASIK Surgery Age Limit: What Is the Right Age for LASIK Eye Surgery?
Let’s Understand with a Simple Analogy
Think of Femto LASIK like reshaping the lens of a camera so it focuses light more accurately. The reshaped cornea usually remains that way, but the rest of the eye continues to change due to ageing, hormonal changes, certain eye issues, or other factors. So, while the correction itself can be long-lasting, your vision may change later for reasons unrelated to the original surgery.
Does Femtosecond-assisted (Femto) Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) Wear Off With Age?
No.
Femto LASIK does not simply wear off with age. But ageing can cause new vision issues.
One of the most common changes is presbyopia, which is the loss of clear close-up vision that happens when your eye’s lens becomes less flexible. Doctors consider it a natural part of ageing that usually starts in your 40s
This means a person who had Femto LASIK in their 20s or 30s may eventually need reading glasses.
This does not necessarily mean that the Femto LASIK has failed.
Other age-related conditions, such as cataracts (cloudy areas that form on your eye’s lens), can also affect vision later in life.
Femto LASIK and Ageing: What to Expect
Here is what you can expect according to the life stage:
First Few Days
Vision may improve rapidly, although you can experience some temporary symptoms.
First Few Weeks
Vision usually gets more stable once the eyes heal.
First Few Months
Minor fluctuations may continue in some people.
Several Years Later
Vision may remain stable, based on individual factors.
Later Adulthood
Presbyopia or other age-related eye changes can influence the vision.
References:
How Stable Are Femto LASIK Results?
Femto LASIK is designed to achieve stable correction, but results can differ from person to person.
Your ophthalmologist will assess the following factors:
- Your current prescription
- Whether your prescription has been stable
- Corneal thickness and shape
- Tear-film and dry-eye status
- Overall eye health
- History of eye conditions and other medical history
- Your age
Therefore, you should undergo a comprehensive eye examination before surgery.
What Factors Affect How Long Femto LASIK Results Last?
Your prescription before surgery, stable vision before surgery, corneal health, age-related changes, overall eye health, etc., are some of the factors that can affect how long Femto LASIK results can last.
Difference Between Femto LASIK & Other Vision Correction Procedures
The table below gives you a basic idea of the difference between LASIK and other vision correction procedures such as PRK or SMILE.
Procedure | How the cornea is accessed | Key difference |
Femto LASIK | A femtosecond laser creates a flap. | Bladeless flap creation. |
Traditional LASIK | A mechanical instrument creates a flap. | Uses a blade-based microkeratome. |
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) | Unlike LASIK, which involves opening a flap in your cornea, PRK removes your cornea so that it grows back naturally. | No corneal flap. |
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) | It is a minimally invasive surgery, meaning a small incision is created. | No traditional LASIK-style flap. |
Depending on your eyes and prescription, besides Femto LASIK, your ophthalmologist may discuss alternatives such as PRK or SMILE to correct refractive errors.
Conclusion
Femto LASIK is considered a long-term vision correction procedure, but it is not a guarantee that you will never need glasses again. Therefore, before the surgery, you should meet with your eye surgeon to discuss your goals, any risk factors, and your desired results. Discussing your vision goals and medical condition will help you make an informed decision about treatment.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational use only. For accurate information about Femto LASIK, consult your ophthalmologist only.