Thinking About Laser Eye Surgery? Here’s What You Need to Know

The prospect of doing away with glasses or contacts without comprising vision in the process leads hundreds of thousands of people each year into eye doctors’ offices seeking information about laser eye surgery. Procedures, such as LASIK, have become a common – and highly effective – alternative to corrective lenses. Despite their large and ever-growing popularity, however, not everyone knows exactly what to expect from seeking out this route.

Here are some of the basics people considering laser eye surgery need to know:

• The procedures have been around for a long time – The thought of correcting vision with a laser might sound like science fiction, but it’s been science fact for more than two decades. While laser procedures were only introduced about 25 years ago, ophthalmologists have actually been reshaping corneas to improve vision for more than 50 years.

• The surgery is considered more or less permanent – Laser eye surgery permanently reshapes the cornea to address vision concerns such as near- or farsightedness. Improvements to the original concern are meant to last. That said, however, patients need to be aware of the reality that natural eye changes may occur later, altering vision as they do.

• Complications are very rare – It is important for patients to understand that laser eye surgery has a tremendous track record of position results. Even so, complications do sometimes arise. The rate, however, is very low at 1 percent with most complications remedied rather easily.

• The results cannot be guaranteed – The vast majority of patients who undergo laser eye surgery report outstanding results with more than 90 percent of Lasik patients experiencing 20/20 vision. Results, however, cannot be guaranteed. Some patients may find they still need corrective lenses. 

Laser eye surgery provides a real opportunity for people who are dependent on prescription lenses to walk away from them. To find out more about available options and candidacy, consult with a licensed eye surgeon. 

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