LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. But it cannot correct the normal age-related loss of near focusing ability (a condition called presbyopia) that affects older adults.

Presbyopia and the need for bifocals or reading glasses usually begins around age 40. People who wear bifocals or progressive ("no-line bifocal") lenses will still need reading glasses after LASIK to see near objects clearly. (Younger LASIK patients will also need reading glasses when they get older and become presbyopic.)

If you're currently presbyopic and need bifocals, your eye doctor and/or LASIK surgeon may recommend a modification of the LASIK procedure wherein one eye is fully corrected and the other eye is made mildly nearsighted. The fully corrected eye (your dominant eye will enable you to see distant objects clearly and the nearsighted eye will help you see things quite well up close without reading glasses. This technique is called monovision.