LASIK Success
Patient satisfaction studies report that almost all LASIK patients are satisfied with their results. The decision to have LASIK is a personal one, and the right choice for you will depend on your unique vision, eye health, and lifestyle. The millions of people who have had LASIK decided that the many benefits of vision correction surgery make it worth it.
Is LASIK Safe?
While any medical procedure carries some risk, LASIK is widely considered to be a very safe procedure.
There are a few ways you can increase your chance of having a successful LASIK surgery:
Choose an experienced LASIK surgeon.
Prioritize advanced technology and the reputation of an eye center above cost.
Follow all presurgical and postsurgical instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.
As with any procedure, what matters most is if LASIK is safe for you in particular. We pride ourselves in putting patient safety first, and that includes taking a conservative approach when it comes to deciding who is a good candidate for LASIK.
If our doctors determine that you have risk factors that may make LASIK less safe, they will not recommend the procedure for you.
How LASIK Technology Has Advanced
During LASIK surgery, a flap is created in your cornea. Originally a blade called a microkeratome was used for this step in the procedure, but we are now able to offer blade-free LASIK using a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap.
Other LASIK innovations include eye tracking technology and customizable wavefront guided lasers. We use Alcon’s WaveLight Refractive Suite which is among the most advanced, state-of-the-art LASIK technology available. The WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser and the WaveLight FS200 Femtosecond Laser allow our experienced LASIK surgeons to offer efficient, precise, and fully customized, blade-free LASIK.
Risks of Other Vision Correction Methods
If you are seeking a vision correction solution, we encourage you to research all of your options. This includes any vision correction method that you are currently using, such as contact lenses. Many people are attracted to LASIK because it requires little to no maintenance after surgery.
Contact lenses require diligent care to minimize risks, but up to 90% of contact lens users do not follow instructions for proper lens care. Each year, as many as 1 out of every 500 contact lens wearers suffers an infection that could have consequences as serious as blindness. Studies have found that the long-term risk of infection from contact lenses is actually very high.
This post originally appeared on The Eye Institute.