How Safe Is LASIK Eye Surgery?

If you’re wondering how safe is LASIK eye surgery, you’re not alone. It’s one of the first questions people have when they consider undergoing laser vision correction.

LASIK eye surgery is a life-changing procedure that can reduce or even eliminate your dependency on glasses and contact lenses. It corrects common vision problems, including hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry vision at near and far distances), by reshaping the cornea to fix how the eye refracts light.

But as with any medical procedure, it’s completely normal to be nervous before your LASIK or other vision correction procedure. And part of our job is addressing any questions or concerns that you may have. Below, we review how safe is LASIK eye surgery is to help you feel comfortable and confident ahead of your procedure so you can get on the path to clear vision as soon as possible.

How Safe is LASIK: A Proven Track Record

LASIK eye surgery is one of the safest elective medical procedures available. The majority of patients are satisfied with their results post-procedure. For example, research conducted by the Food and Drug and Trade Administration (FDA) discovered that 95% of patients are satisfied with their vision after their LASIK procedure.

They also found that side effects such as dry eye, difficulty driving a night, and visual symptoms, like glares and halos, were uncommon. Less than 1% of patients have trouble performing everyday activities due to one or more of these symptoms, the study found.

The risk of infection is also very low after LASIK eye surgery. For example, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) estimates that the infection rate after LASIK is 0.09%.

In fact, it’s more common to experience an infection from contact lenses than a vision correction surgery. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 500 contact lens wearers in the United States develop infections, which can result in blindness. Research continually shows that LASIK is safer than wearing contacts, including a 2017 study that found data to suggest there’s a lower risk infection with LASIK than with contacts over time.

The Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery has the ability to make life easier by offering you the benefits that come with clear vision. Not only is it an extremely safe and reliable procedure, but it comes with the following advantages:

• It simplifies your routine. 
  By freeing you from glasses and contact lenses, it means there’s one less thing on your mind. That way you can enjoy all of your favorite activities without the hassle of glasses and/or contact lenses holding you back.
   
• It saves you money in the long run.
  LASIK may be an expensive investment, but it actually saves you money in the long-term by eliminating expenses associated with glasses and contacts. Give our savings calculator a try to see how much you can save.
   
• A quick procedure and fast recovery.
  The LASIK procedure itself is quick and has minimal discomfort. But the recovery time is fast, too. Most patients are back to their normal routines within 24/hours, meaning you don’t have to take a lot of time off to enjoy the benefits of clear vision. Click here for more information on what to expect.
   
• The results often last a lifetime.
  For most patients, the results of LASIK or another vision correction procedure last their entire life. Although vision can deteriorate with age, only a very small percentage of patients require retreatment, and it’s often decades afterwards. For instance, one study found that only 10 percent of patients require an enhancement.
   

If you’re looking for a laser vision correction provider in the Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky locations, consider Greenberg LASIK. Dr. Jason Greenberg is the most experienced LASIK provider in the area, and his experience speaks for itself. With more than 20 years of experience, he’s performed over 80,000 LASIK and PRK procedures.

We offer free consultations to help determine if LASIK or another vision correction procedure is right for you. During the preliminary appointment, we’ll address any and all concerns you may have about the procedure, including how safe it is and what to expect.

Book your pre-operative consultation now so the Greenberg LASIK team can put you on the path towards clear vision.