LASIK versus reading glasses

By their early to mid-40s, all adults lose some ability to focus on nearby objects because the lens in the eye becomes less flexible. This condition is called presbyopia. Presbyopia results in difficulty reading small print or doing close-up tasks.

People with low to moderate nearsightedness throughout their lives may find that they can compensate for presbyopia later in life. They may be able to focus for reading or other close vision without reading glasses.

If your nearsightedness is corrected with LASIK or another surgery, you'll likely need reading glasses eventually. But many people are happy to trade clear distance vision when they are younger for having to wear reading glasses when they are older.

One option for older adults with nearsightedness is monovision. With monovision, one eye is corrected for clear distant vision and the other eye is slightly corrected for near vision. Not everyone is able to adjust to or tolerate monovision. Your eye specialist will likely ask you to do a trial with contact lenses before having a permanent surgical procedure.