re: From the LASIK thread (are reading glasses req'd later?)

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So you're saying that LASIK itself doesn't cause the need for reading glasses, it's something that would happen anyway? I'm thinking of getting it but the whole eye change possibility in 8-10 years and reading glasses has me second guessing. I'm fine with contacts but obviously being able to wake up and see would be sweet.

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I'm 48, near-sighted (corrected with glasses/contacts), with slight astigmatism (non-corrected, if I get really tired my focus skews a bit).

About 10-15 years ago, I talked to a couple ophthalmologists during Jazzfest (they went to med school with my brother), and over a few beers, I decided AGAINST Lasix, although one had offered a good "friend" rate.

They both said I would eventually need reading glasses, as Lasix would only correct the nearsightedness, and also wouldn't help the astigmatism.

I gave up the contacts in my early 40's due to one too many dry, scratchy eye; my glasses have been fine since.
In about the last year, the inevitable reading issue has surfaced, I read now by looking over the lenses, my natural vision focuses from about 18-24 inches. Glasses still work fine for anything beyond that.

If I need glasses anyway, I'm not going to get my eyes cut. My cousin had RK and sees starbursts at night, I didn't want to deal with that potential either.

added-
some people consider doing it for the sunglass option... if you wear contacts, you can wear sunglasses too, and regular glasses in bright light can be painful at times.

If that's the case, just go ahead and get prescription sunglasses instead.
What I do is get regular glasses, then get a pair of the cheapo frames too, and have them put the sunglass film over those lenses. A lot of the time the cheap frames actually look pretty cool as sunglasses, and I just keep them in the car.