Frequently Asked Question: After LASIK, will I still need my reading glasses?

As people get older, their ciliary eye muscles lose some of the elasticity that allows them to focus on objects up close. This condition, called presbyopia, is a very normal part of aging and is the reason why many individuals over 40 require reading glasses.

Since LASIK surgery is typically performed to correct distance vision and refractive errors rather than issues stemming from presbyopia, whether or not you will need reading glasses after LASIK depends on your age.

People over 40, regardless of whether or not they’ve had LASIK, tend to require reading glasses as a natural result of presbyopic ocular aging. So if you wear reading glasses, you should keep them on hand after your LASIK procedure. If you’re under 40, LASIK surgery will not cause you to need reading glasses, contrary to misconceptions.

If you are between the ages of 45 and 50 (or older in some cases) and tired of reaching for your bifocals or reading glasses to check your email to or settle down at the end of the day with a good book, LASIK may be a life changing choice for you.