# Can refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism change over time? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/can-refractive-errors-change-over-time Language: en Category: ophthalmology Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.929Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.929Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/can-refractive-errors-change-over-time ## Evolution of Refractive Errors Yes, refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can change over time. These changes may be gradual and occur for various reasons, including natural eye growth, aging, or even after undergoing vision correction procedures. It is important to have regular eye exams to monitor any changes and adjust your visual correction as needed [\[1\]](). ## Age-Related Changes With age, natural changes occur in the eye that can affect refractive errors. One of the most notable is presbyopia, which typically begins around age 45. In this condition, the eye's lens becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on near objects. This condition can occur even in people who have never had vision problems before, or it may be added to existing refractive errors such as myopia or hyperopia [\[1\]](). In addition to presbyopia, the degree of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism may change over the years. For example, myopia may worsen during childhood and adolescence, while hyperopia may also tend to change. Astigmatism, which causes blurry or distorted vision at all distances due to an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, can also change; people with mild astigmatism may not notice any symptoms until the condition worsens [\[1\]](). ## Impact of Vision Correction Surgery After undergoing laser vision correction surgery, such as LASIK, results may not be permanent for some patients. For example, the level of vision improvement may decrease for some hyperopia patients as they age. Some patients may require additional treatment or may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery, even if their prescription was low before the surgery. This is especially true for cases where refractive errors are very significant [\[2\]](). It is important to understand that LASIK surgery is a relatively modern technique, as the first laser for LASIK surgery was approved in 1998. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of this surgery are not yet fully known [\[2\]](). Patients should discuss their expectations with their doctor and understand that they may still require glasses or contact lenses after surgery [\[2\]](). ## Next Steps and Warning Signs If you notice any changes in your vision, such as blurry vision, the need to squint to see clearly, headaches, eye strain, or difficulty seeing at night, it is essential to visit an eye care professional. These symptoms may indicate a change in your refractive error or the need for a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses [\[1\]](). To evaluate any changes, an eye care professional will conduct a [comprehensive eye examination (Arabic)](). This exam may include testing visual acuity at different distances, and the doctor may use drops to dilate the pupils to examine other eye conditions [\[1\]](). In the case of astigmatism, a patient may not notice any symptoms if it is mild, underscoring the importance of regular exams, especially for children who may not realize that their vision is not normal [\[3\]](). ## Managing Expectations After Surgery If you are considering vision correction surgery, you must carefully weigh the risks and benefits. It is important to realize that some patients may experience debilitating visual symptoms such as glare, halos, or double vision that can seriously affect night vision [\[2\]](). Some patients may not see as well in low-light conditions, such as at night or in fog, after treatment compared to before treatment [\[2\]](). Furthermore, some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome, which can be permanent and require intensive treatment [\[2\]](). ## Medical references - [Refractive Errors]() - [What Are the Risks and How Can I Find the Right Doctor for Me? (Refractive Surgery)]() - [Astigmatism]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/can-refractive-errors-change-over-time#answer