Question
I was moderately nearsighted but had successful laser surgery and am super happy about not needing glasses anymore. My wife insists I should still have regular eye exams just like before. Do I really need that, when my distance vision is now perfect?
Answer
First of all, I am delighted to hear you had a great outcome after your surgery. It is true that sometimes people think they won’t need to see me anymore after they’ve ditched the glasses, and I understand the thinking, since the world looks sharp and everything went well. But surgery changes how you see, not how your eyes age or how healthy they are, so I’d still like to see you regularly.
Myopia – the reason you had refractive surgery – comes with an elongated eye. The surgery reshaped the front of the eye to correct your vision, but leaves the back exactly as it was and does not reverse the reason you were nearsighted in the first place. A longer eye has a thinner, more stretched retina, and that means a higher risk of retinal tears and detachment. In fact, research suggests that if you were ever moderately or very nearsighted, your risk of retinal detachment is many times higher than someone with minimal or no nearsightedness.
Since warning signs of retinal trouble such as the sudden onset of a bunch of new floaters, flashes of light, or a “curtain” drifting across your vision can be easy to dismiss in our busy lives, regular eye exams with sophisticated imaging equipment will allow me to monitor any retinal thinning or weakened areas and refer you to a specialist if needed. Your corneas and the rest of your eyes will need attention, too. Healing occurs over months, and some people develop dry eye symptoms or experience shifts in their acuity even years later.
Then there are all the conditions that have nothing to do with your surgery. For example, glaucoma doesn’t care how clearly you see, and a past refractive surgery can make intraocular pressure readings artificially low – and therefore harder to interpret. For this reason, I recommend continuing to get comprehensive eye exams every year or two so we have a baseline and a history – sooner if you experience vision changes. Enjoy your new clarity of vision!
Come See Us Soon
At Mayfair Optometric Clinic we provide a welcoming environment for patients to receive eye exams and pick out the perfect eyewear that works for each individual. Please give us a call to book your appointment with Dr. Peddle or myself.
