2 Things to Be Aware of Before Opting for LASIK

In recent years, LASIK surgery has become an increasingly popular option for correcting refractive errors in vision, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Advances in LASIK technology have made the procedure routine, and as a result, the procedure is almost always successful.

While this procedure has become very standardized and is widely considered one of the safer surgical procedures you can undergo, there are still a few caveats to be aware of before deciding if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK.

First, it is important to remember that while LASIK is reshaping your cornea, the procedure also affects the operation of your retina, which is one of the most sensitive parts of your eye. Anytime you undergo an operation that affects your retina, there are certain risks associated with the procedure.

While major errors are highly uncommon, it is possible that one can occur which could cause permanent vision damage. This is an important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to get LASIK.

Second, while LASIK has a very high success rate, it is not perfect. If you are expecting to gain perfect vision from your procedure, you may end up disappointed with your results. Approximately 70% of LASIK patients end up achieving 20/20 vision, and more than 90% achieve at least 20/40 vision. However, it is statistically possible that you will not achieve these results. Therefore, it is important to go into the procedure with reasonable expectations.

Furthermore, even if you achieve 20/20 vision after LASIK, you may experience certain higher order aberrations, such as halos, glare, and starbursts. You should be prepared to deal with these complications.

Overall, LASIK is a very safe procedure that yields a high percentage of success stories. However, it is still wise to evaluate the potential risks and complications of LASIK when deciding whether or not it is right for you.

You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified LASIK surgeon in your area.