LASIK SUCCESS RATES: HOW SAFE IS LASIK?
LASIK Eye Surgery Safety and Success Rates
When considering LASIK, safety is a concern for many patients. At Eye Doctors of Washington, your safety is always our top priority. Our experienced, board-certified LASIK surgeons have performed over 50,000 LASIK procedures. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the potential risks and complications of laser vision correction, as well as the benefits and success rates of LASIK.
How Safe is LASIK?
Any surgery carries some potential risk for complications or side effects, and it is important for patients to be well-informed. LASIK is FDA approved and is regarded as a safe procedure with a low complication rate.1 As with any procedure, what matters most is if LASIK is safe for you, which can depend on your medical history, eye health, and lifestyle. A consultation appointment with an experienced eye doctor is the first step in the LASIK process. The surgeons at Eye Doctors of Washington will carefully evaluate your vision and will only recommend LASIK if they determine that you are a good candidate.
Increase Your Chances of LASIK Success
In addition to being an informed patient, there are ways to increase your likelihood of LASIK success2:
- Choose a LASIK surgeon who is experienced, board-certified, and answers all your questions.
- Ask what type of lasers will be used to ensure your doctor uses up-to-date technology.
- Cost is a factor for many patients, but don’t make it your top priority. Many “LASIK deals” sound too good to be true because they are.
- Pay attention to pre-surgical and post-surgical directions and go to all your follow-up appointments.
LASIK Side Effects and Complications
The most common LASIK side effects are usually temporary.3 Complications, which can be more serious or longer lasting than side effects, occur in less than one percent of patients.4
Potential LASIK Side Effects That Typically Resolve Within 3 to 12 Months3
- Dry eyes
- Glare or halos
- Night vision symptoms
Potential LASIK Complications
- Undercorrection of vision
- Overcorrection of vision
- Dry eye syndrome
- Corneal flap infection or complications
LASIK Results
LASIK has the highest patient satisfaction rating of any elective procedure in the U.S.5 Studies show that 92% of patients who had all-laser topography guided LASIK, which is the type of advanced LASIK offered at EDOW, achieved 20/20 vision or better.6 What matters most is if LASIK has the potential to help you achieve YOUR goals. Outdoor enthusiasts or sports players may get LASIK to support an active lifestyle. First responders, engineers, or other professionals may seek out LASIK to benefit a busy career. Some LASIK patients simply do not like the way they look in glasses. Whatever your reasons for considering LASIK, the team at Eye Doctors of Washington are committed to providing patient-centered, personalized care that puts your safety first.
Contact Eye Doctors of Washington
The best way to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK is to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced LASIK surgeons are happy to answer any questions you have about LASIK and help you figure out if LASIK is right for you.
1American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/ Accessed October 25, 2019.
2U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What are the risks and how can I find the right doctor for me? Available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-are-risks-and-how-can-i-find-right-doctor-me Accessed October 25, 2019
3 Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 Accessed October 25, 2019.
4 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts/ Accessed October 25, 2019.
5Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Vol. 42, Issue 8, August 2016, Pages 1224-1234
6FDA Clinical Trials. Allegretto Wave Eye-Q Addendum Procedure Manual T-CAT Topography-Guided Treatments. Available at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf2/P020050S012d.pdf. Accessed October 25, 2019.
