Ophthalmologist Questions Astigmatism

How long does astigmatism laser surgery last?

I was diagnosed with astigmation and now I'm thinking about getting LASIK to correct it. Right now, I'm wearing prescription glasses. How long does the surgery last, and what's the recovery period like?

6 Answers

LASIK surgery takes 10-15 min to preform, and the recovery period is a few days to a few weeks.
Usually permanent. Depending on amount your age and gender. History of oeratoconus is an absolute contradiction to surgery
There is no specific time that Laser vision correction for astigmatism lasts. It is a permanent change. However, after surgery your eyes can change just like they did before surgery. Remember, you would change eyeglass or contact prescriptions every so often. Having surgery does not freeze your eye in time. So, sometimes, not always, a touch up is needed years down the road.
If you are a good candidate LASIK works well for regular astigmatism and lasts a long time. You need to see an eye care specialist to determine if LASIK is appropriate for you. If you get LASIK recovery is quick.
Usually, the surgery doesn’t wear off, but that is a possibility, especially with astigmatism. Recovery is no big deal. Lots of eye drops. Pain is very rare.

Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Usually 1 to 5 minutes for the surgery but recovery could take weeks or months