There’s never been a better time to have LASIK. Thousands of people know that – which is why they’re lining up for it.
Why are they opting for LASIK? There are as many reasons as there are candidates. But all of them want what LASIK has to offer – superb vision correction without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK today is the best procedure it’s ever been, thanks to decades of experience and continuous improvement in technology and technique. Thousands of studies reflect the quality of LASIK, the high satisfaction rates of people who’ve had the procedure, and the extensive base of knowledge that refractive surgeons draw on when they evaluate candidates and perform the procedure.
How good is modern LASIK?
A recent review of more than 4,400 LASIK clinical studies conducted between 2008 and 2017 found patients are experiencing better visual outcomes than ever before. This vast data pool also showed the procedure has improved over time and, with the advent of modern technology and techniques, is among the safest and most effective surgical procedures. The LASIK scientific literature review also reports the global patient satisfaction rate has increased to more than 98 percent. People who’ve had LASIK seem to start out satisfied with the procedure, and stay that way over time. A recent three-year study showed that people who had LASIK were more satisfied with their vision than contact lens users, and that their satisfaction stayed high over time, while the satisfaction rate of contact lens users declined.
These findings are just some of the research that make LASIK one of the most studied elective procedures performed today. Over time, a tremendous about of clinical research into LASIK has been conducted – to date more than 7,000 peer-reviewed published studies, in fact – to confirm the procedure is both safe and effective. Results are overwhelmingly positive.
Many reasons to consider LASIK today
What’s their motivation? What brings candidates in the door? There are as many reasons to consider LASIK as there are people who want to improve their vision, but there are some common themes.
Some people have high demands for the quality of vision correction that only LASIK can provide.
Some want the convenience of having their corrected vision always available, without having to fumble with glasses or care for their contacts.
For others, LASIK is a lifestyle choice: athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, private pilots – for all of these people, the vision correction procedure allows them to pursue their passion, where glasses or contacts might literally get in the way.
And for some, LASIK is a professional necessity. First responders have to work in harsh conditions where the ability to see clearly can be a matter of life and death, and where glasses or contacts just aren’t useable. If you’re a police officer pursuing a suspect through underbrush, stumbling and losing your glasses can mean losing the suspect. In these cases, LASIK can be a critical margin of difference.”
If you opt for the procedure and determine if it is worth it for you and your lifestyle – be prepared for unparalleled convenience and the best vision you’ve ever experienced.
This post originally appeared on American Refractive Surgery Council.