LASIK Eye Surgery Safety and Success Rates

When patients at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute are considering LASIK, often their first question is “How safe is it?” The second is, “How likely is it to improve my vision?” In other words, how successful is the procedure? We love to answer these questions because a well-informed patient is a confident patient and can make the best decisions about their eye health. LASIK eye surgery has been around for over 25 years and more than 10 million Americans have had the surgery since it was approved by the FDA in 1999.¹ Approximately 96% of the 700,000 patients who elect to have this surgery annually will have their desired vision after the procedure.²

How Safe is LASIK?

All surgeries carry some risk of complications and side effects, but LASIK is generally considered a safe procedure with a low complication rate.³ In fact, LASIK is one of the safest elective surgical procedures available today, with a complication rate estimated to be less than 1%.<sup.3 Additionally, LASIK is one of the most studied elective procedures performed today. Here are some interesting facts about LASIK surgery:

• LASIK surgery has never been the exclusive cause of blindness⁵
• Contact lenses cause more cases of eye inflammation each year than LASIK—in fact, 3 times as many⁶
• Patients who experienced worse vision after LASIK surgery was less than 1% (LASIK surpasses the FDA standard for safety with a complication rate of 5%)⁷

Increase Your Chances of LASIK Success

One of the best ways to optimize your chances for a successful surgery⁸ and recovery is to take an active role!

• Always choose a board-certified LASIK surgeon; don’t take their word for it—check their accreditation and hospital affiliations
• Be informed—it’s critically important to ask questions and make sure you understand what’s happening with your condition and LASIK treatment
• Talk to other patients who have had LASIK surgery
• Follow your LASIK surgeon’s preoperative and postoperative instructions
• Attend all follow-up appointments with your LASIK surgeon

The LASIK surgeons at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute are pioneers in laser vision correction and refractive surgery, and have extensive experience performing LASIK. Our eye surgeons have performed over 75,000 laser vision correction surgeries in San Diego using advanced laser technology.

At Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute, patient safety is our primary concern. Our first matter of business with each patient who expresses interest in LASIK surgery is to determine if they are a good candidate for LASIK. If the expert eye doctors at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute determine that your particular case presents risk factors that preclude LASIK from your treatment plan, they will recommend a LASIK alternative such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Implantable Contact Lens (ICL), or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). A comparison chart can help explain your options for vision correction.

LASIK Side Effects and Complications

During your consultation, your LASIK surgeon at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute will make sure to address all your questions regarding side effects, complications, and benefits of LASIK. The most common LASIK side effects are usually temporary.⁹ Complications, which can be more serious or longer lasting than side effects, occur in less than one percent of patients.¹⁰

Some Potential LASIK Side Effects That Typically Resolve Within 3 to 12 Months¹¹

• Dry eyes
• Double vision
• Haloes
• Glare

Some Potential LASIK Complications

• Undercorrection of vision
• Overcorrection of vision
• Astigmatism
• Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
• Vision loss or impaired vision

LASIK Results

LASIK has the highest patient satisfaction rating of any elective procedure in the U.S.¹²
Does LASIK have the potential to attain your vision goals? According to studies, 92% of patients who had all-laser topography guided LASIK achieved 20/20 vision or better.¹³ Sick of purchasing contact lenses? Tired of wearing eye glasses? The decision to have LASIK—or any elective procedure—is yours alone. Arm yourself with information, then ask how LASIK can improve your quality of life.

Contact Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute

The best way to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK is to schedule a free consultation at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute. Our expert LASIK surgeons would love to answer any questions you have about vision correction and help you figure out if LASIK is right for you.

¹ Cameron Rogers. WebMD. LASIK: Know the Risks and Rewards. July 27, 2018. Accessible here: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20180727/lasik-know-the-rewards-and-the-risks. Accessed November 7, 2019.
² Web MD Health News. LASIK: Know the Rewards and the Risks. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20180727/lasik-know-the-rewards-and-the-risks Accessed January 3, 2020.
³ American Academy of Ophthalmology. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik Accessed November 7, 2019.
⁴ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. April 21, 2016. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/. Accessed November 7, 2019.
⁵ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. April 21, 2016. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/. Accessed November 7, 2019.
⁶ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. April 21, 2016. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/. Accessed November 7, 2019.
⁷ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. April 21, 2016. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/. Accessed November 7, 2019.
⁸ U.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 November 7, 2019.
⁹ Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 Accessed October 25, 2019.
¹⁰ 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.
¹¹Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774. Accessed November 7, 2019.
¹² Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Vol. 42, Issue 8, August 2016, Pages 1224-1234
¹³ FDA 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.