Repeating LASIK Surgery | Is It Safe to Have LASIK Twice?

What are the risks of repeating LASIK surgery? Is it possible to have LASIK more than once? Have you had LASIK that didn’t fully work? Is LASIK safe? At what age can vision correction surgery be done? Does laser vision correction have side effects? And is what people call “LASIK” really worth it?

In this article, you’ll find a complete explanation of LASIK “retreatment” and enhancement procedures. You’ll learn whether repeating LASIK is actually useful, and you’ll find everything you’re looking for about having LASIK more than once in one place.

People who suffer from blurry vision usually turn to LASIK so they can see clearly without prescription glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes, the first procedure doesn’t fully correct the vision problem, and in such cases the patient may need a second LASIK procedure.

By “repeat LASIK” or “LASIK enhancement,” we mean doing the surgery a second time to further improve vision and correct any remaining refractive error after the first operation. So, can LASIK be done more than once, and why might someone need a LASIK enhancement?

A patient may need an additional enhancement either because they are not satisfied with the initial result or because their vision has gradually regressed over time. In general, there is no fixed, universal limit to how many times LASIK can be performed.

LASIK can be a long‑term solution to living without glasses or contact lenses, but no LASIK surgeon can guarantee perfect, 20/20 vision for life. There is always a chance of some regression, or that you may still need reading glasses later on.

If the patient is not satisfied with the initial LASIK outcome, if it was insufficient to fully correct their vision, or if their eyesight changes over time, they may need a LASIK enhancement. This naturally raises the question: is it possible to repeat LASIK, and is it safe to have LASIK twice?

Is it possible to have LASIK done twice?

When Can LASIK Be Repeated? | Is It Safe to Have LASIK Twice?

About 1–2% of people need a touch‑up or enhancement within the first year after their primary LASIK surgery, while around 10% may need an enhancement at some point in their lifetime. Terms such as “enhancement,” “retreatment,” or “additional correction” all refer to repeating LASIK to fine‑tune the result and address any residual refractive error.

The first procedure may restore the patient’s vision to normal levels, but that does not completely rule out the possibility of later changes or regression.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that it usually takes the eye about three to six months after LASIK to stabilize, with the prescription becoming steady during that time. An enhancement or repeat LASIK should not be considered until the patient’s refraction (vision measurements) is shown to be stable during at least two consecutive eye examinations, spaced at least three months apart after surgery.

You must wait until your vision reaches a stable point before deciding whether you truly need a LASIK enhancement. During the healing period, as the cornea recovers, some patients may experience temporary visual disturbances such as hazy or blurry vision after LASIK, or occasional light flashes and halos. These symptoms do not necessarily mean the surgery has failed, and they often improve or disappear within about six months after the procedure, so it is too early at that stage to judge the final result.

Having a stable prescription in the year before a LASIK procedure is one of the main criteria for success the first time. The same applies when considering a repeat procedure: the refractive error should be relatively stable and not rapidly changing. In most cases, a single enhancement LASIK procedure is enough to achieve the desired clarity of vision, except in patients with very high or complex refractive errors.

Can LASIK be repeated?

Can Vision Correction Surgery Be Done Twice? | Can LASIK Be Done More Than Once?

If your question is “Can I have LASIK twice?”, “Can LASIK be done more than once?”, or “Can I have laser vision correction surgery two times?”, the answer is: yes, it is definitely possible, and in many cases it is safe to have LASIK or another form of laser vision correction more than once. However, this depends on several conditions and patient‑specific factors, including:

LASIK, which used to be colloquially called “eye polishing,” is a surgical procedure that permanently corrects vision by reshaping the corneal tissue. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that helps bend and focus light to create a clear image on the retina. Sometimes, the natural shape of the cornea is imperfect, which leads to refractive errors and blurred vision. LASIK and similar procedures use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea and improve the focusing power of the eye.

LASIK can be used to treat three main types of refractive error:

Can vision correction surgery be done twice?

How Many Years Does LASIK Last?

The structural effects of LASIK on the cornea are permanent: the surgeon actually reshapes the cornea and removes the irregularities that cause myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. For that reason, LASIK is considered a long‑term solution.

However, new refractive errors can still develop over the years, or other age‑related changes in vision can occur, including hazy or blurry vision after LASIK due to unrelated eye conditions. So while the corneal reshaping is permanent, your eyes themselves continue to age.

Is a LASIK Enhancement Harder Than the First Surgery?

Quite the opposite. Research and extensive clinical experience in refractive surgery show that a second LASIK procedure (an enhancement) is often technically easier than the primary surgery. This is mainly for two reasons:

Why Might a Patient Need to Repeat LASIK?

LASIK has helped many people with blurry vision achieve clear sight and get rid of their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. However, it does not prevent the natural progression of the eye or other eye diseases, so vision can still change over time.

Several reasons may lead to needing a repeat laser vision correction procedure, including:

Age‑related eye conditions such as presbyopia (age‑related difficulty focusing up close) or cataracts (lens opacity) are not treated by LASIK. In these cases, appropriate surgeries such as cataract extraction or lens‑based procedures are recommended instead of repeating LASIK. It is also essential that patients follow their ophthalmologist’s postoperative instructions after any type of laser vision correction.

How Much Does It Cost to Have LASIK More Than Once?

Many refractive surgeons do not charge an additional fee for performing a LASIK enhancement within the first year after the initial procedure, especially if this policy was included in the original treatment package. However, this varies from one clinic or surgeon to another.

You should check with your eye center or surgeon before your first LASIK procedure to fully understand the financial details and whether enhancement surgeries are included if you later need a repeat LASIK.

Risks of Repeating LASIK

Regarding the risks of repeating LASIK, one of the most common concerns is whether blurred or hazy vision after LASIK is dangerous. Overall, the complications that worry refractive surgeons most when it comes to repeat LASIK are corneal ectasia (progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea) and weakening of the corneal structure.

These complications are rare after a first LASIK procedure, but the risk does increase if the cornea is treated multiple times. Performing laser vision correction more than once may leave the cornea with insufficient thickness, which raises the risk of visual problems and irregularities.

LASIK for the second time

LASIK Enhancements

After LASIK, there is a possibility that some refractive error may persist or recur over time. These residual or recurrent refractive errors can lead to blurred vision. If the patient still needs glasses after LASIK, they can often be corrected with a new pair of prescription glasses, since LASIK may reduce but not completely eliminate all refractive error.

If wearing glasses after LASIK is not a preferred option, the patient may be a candidate for a LASIK enhancement. To learn more about whether this is suitable in your case, you can contact the ophthalmology center at Al Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah for detailed assessment and advice. A successful LASIK enhancement can allow the patient to return to clear vision without glasses.

Keep in mind that the original LASIK fee may not always cover the cost of a second enhancement procedure. It is also important to consider how much time has passed since the initial surgery and to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of repeating LASIK. Many people wonder, “Can I have LASIK more than once?” or “Is LASIK safe?” Although LASIK has a high success rate of around 96% and the vast majority of patients are satisfied with their final outcome, each additional procedure must be evaluated individually.

Is LASIK Safe?

Just like the primary LASIK procedure, an enhancement carries similar potential risks and side effects for the eye. You should have a thorough discussion with your ophthalmologist about possible complications, expected benefits, and alternative options before deciding to repeat LASIK.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a surface laser procedure such as PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) instead of lifting the LASIK flap again. Surface ablation techniques reshape the cornea without re‑lifting the existing flap, which may reduce the risk of flap‑related complications or corneal weakening.

Can LASIK Be Done Twice or More Than Once? Our Advice to You

Is It Allowed to Have LASIK Twice?

Questions like “Can LASIK be done twice?”, “Can I have vision correction surgery two times?”, or “Is it okay to repeat LASIK?” all require careful, individualized answers.

Regarding the key question, “Can LASIK be done twice?”: LASIK is a highly effective procedure, and for the vast majority of patients, the results are so good that they never need any additional treatment.

However, there is a small group of patients who may benefit from a second LASIK procedure, often referred to as a LASIK enhancement, retreatment, or “touch‑up.” These situations can include:

How Long Does LASIK Remain Effective?

You are welcome to contact us for any medical consultation or question, including whether it is possible and appropriate in your case to have LASIK more than once.