LASIK Eye Surgery Safety and Success Rates

May 06, 2024 | LASIK

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close up eye - white lines circling aroundWhen 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 20-25 million eyes have been treated since the surgery was approved by the FDA in 1991.1 Approximately 95% of the 800,000 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 has an excellent safety profile 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%.4  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 blindness, but contact lenses are the cause of eye infections that lead to blindness in 1 out of every 500 users each year5
  • Contact lenses cause more cases of eye infections each year than LASIK—possibly 8 times as many6
  • Patients who experienced worse vision after LASIK surgery was less than 1%7 (LASIK surpasses the FDA standard for safety with a complication rate of 5%)8

Increase Your Chances of LASIK Success

One of the best ways to optimize your chances for a successful surgery9 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.10 Complications, which can be more serious or longer lasting than side effects, occur in less than one percent of patients.11

Some Potential LASIK Side Effects That Typically Resolve Within 3 to 12 Months12

  • Dry eyes
  • Double vision
  • Haloes
  • Glare

Some Potential LASIK Complications

  • Under correction 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.13

Does LASIK have the potential to attain your vision goals? According to studies, almost 100% of patients who had all-laser topography-guided LASIK achieved 20/20 vision or better.14 Sick of purchasing contact lenses? Tired of wearing eyeglasses? 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.

 

References

1 Clinical Ophthalmology. The 25th Anniversary of Laser Vision Correction in the United States. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7982707/. Accessed April 12, 2024.
2 StatPearls. Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/. Accessed April 12, 2024.
3 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Long Term Follow-Up Safety and Effectiveness of Myopia Refractive Surgery. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7727822/. Accessed April 12, 2024.
4 American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know/. Accessed April 12, 2024.
5 Cureus. A Review of Contact Lens-Related Risk Factors and Complications. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9644230/. Accessed July 12, 2024.
6 Eye Contact Lens. Contact Lens Safety for the Correction of Refractive Error in Healthy Eyes. Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9584055/. Accessed April 12, 2024.
7 FDA. LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project. Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/lasik-quality-life-collaboration-project. Accessed April 12, 2024.
8 Access Data FDA. CustomCornea® LASIK Physician’s Booklet. Available: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf/P970043S022c.pdf. Accessed April 12, 2024.
9 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 April 12, 2024.
10  American Academy of Ophthalmology. Facts About LASIK Complications. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/facts-about-lasik-complications. Accessed April, 12 2024.
11American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts/ Accessed April 12, 2024.
12 Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774. Accessed April 12, 2024.
13 American Refractive Surgery Council. What is the success rate of LASIK? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/laser-eye-surgery-lasik-success-rate/#. Accessed April 12, 2024.
14  Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Clinical outcomes after topography-guided LASIK: comparing results based on a new topography analysis algorithm with those based on manifest refraction. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8026343/. Accessed April 12, 2024.