LASIK, approved by the FDA to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism well over a decade ago, is one of the most widely performed elective procedures in the United States. However, may patients still wonder – is LASIK safe? With over 20 million procedures performed here in the U.S., LASIK has been shown to be a safe, effective way to correct your vision with excellent results.
The FDA recently reported the results on a long-awaited comprehensive study on the safety and efficacy of LASIK. The study surveyed patients regarding their visual symptoms and quality of life before and three months after LASIK. The report confirmed that over 95% of the respondents achieved 20/20 or better vision with both eyes.
The study also concluded that symptoms such as ghosting, glare, halos and starbursts did not increase after having LASIK. “In fact, patients with ghosting actually decreased from 33% before surgery to 6% after surgery,” said Dr. Lance Kugler, president of the Refractive Surgery Alliance.
This is most comprehensive study of patient-reported outcomes after LASIK ever conducted, and the results were extremely favorable – LASIK has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering LASIK to ensure the best possible outcome.
Make Sure You’re a Good Candidate – The first step is to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for LASIK. This means having a comprehensive eye examination with an experienced, qualified refractive surgeon. Your prescription must be stable, your eyes must be healthy, your prescription must fall within certain parameters – and there are a number of other qualifications that must be met before you’re deemed a good candidate.
Research for the Most Qualified LASIK Surgeon – When considering LASIK, selecting an experienced, board certified, well trained surgeon with an excellent reputation plays an important role in your experience and end result.
Latest Technology – The most advanced, FDA approved technology is an important consideration to keep in mind when considering LASIK. Outdated technology can lead to higher risk and less optimal outcomes. There have been improvements in technology over the years and with today’s lasers, LASIK is safer and more accurate than ever before.
For more information on the safety of LASIK, please visit http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/14/lasik-eye-surgery-safe-in-long-term-experts-say/ for an article quoting our own Dr. Marc Werner, and http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141023006702/en/Long-Awaited-FDA-Report-LASIK-Confirms-Safety-Effectiveness#.VK2KtWTF-lc for more information on the FDA study confirming LASIK safety and effectiveness.
