Can Laser surgery can permanently improve a persons vision?

LASIK is a surgical procedure where the front of the eye is permanently reshaped to focus light properly on the retinal photo-receptors in the back of the eye. It sends sharply focused light to the nerve layer. This information must then be carried by electrical signals to the brain for processing and ultimately vision. If there are problems behind the cornea anywhere in the visual system, then LASIK will not restore vision. For instance in the case of a clouded lens within the eye, or a damaged retina in the back of the eye, the signal will be blocked and no useful vision will result.

LASIK replaces the vision from a misshaped eye, but cannot regain vision if contact lenses or glasses will not regain the vision. Some people have very bad vision without their glasses or contacts, and in these cases LASIK can regain the vision that they once had at an early age. This is different from the case described above.