LASIK Success Rates: Is LASIK Safe?

If you are considering LASIK surgery in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area, you may be wondering about LASIK success rates and safety. At Virginia Eye Consultants, our experienced LASIK surgeons have excellent LASIK outcomes and highly satisfied patients.

What Are the Success Rates with LASIK Surgery?

Success rates with LASIK surgery can be measured by how satisfied people are with their improvement in vision and how many people no longer need eyeglasses or contact lenses afterward.

LASIK has the highest patient satisfaction rating of any elective procedure in the U.S.¹ In patient satisfaction studies, more than 98% of people who had LASIK surgery reported that they were satisfied with their results.¹

With the advanced LASIK technology at Virginia Eye Consultants and the skill of our experienced LASIK surgeons, the majority of our patients are able to completely eliminate their need to wear glasses or contact lenses. In fact, the chance that you will no longer need to use your eyeglasses or contact lenses after LASIK surgery is higher than 80%.²

How Safe is LASIK Surgery?

By every scientific and clinical standard, LASIK is among the safest elective procedures available, with a very low risk of complications.^3,4 Tens of millions of LASIK procedures have been performed since the procedure was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.⁴

At Virginia Eye Consultants, your safety is our top priority. We offer free LASIK consultations in which we carefully assess your vision needs and your overall health. If you are not a candidate for LASIK, we will tell you so and may offer several LASIK alternatives.

Certain temporary side effects can happen with LASIK eye surgery, such as dry eyes, eye discomfort and some problems with light sensitivity or glare.^2,4 We discuss all risks and benefits with you at the time of your consultation. Serious long-term complications are extremely rare.²

What Else Should I Know About LASIK Outcomes?

LASIK surgery is one of the most studied elective procedures performed today.⁴ One group of researchers reviewed 97 articles on LASIK results that were published between January 2008 and August 2015, covering a total of 67,893 eyes.¹ Their conclusion was that today’s LASIK surgery has a high level of safety and effectiveness, with current outcomes better than those of earlier laser refractive surgery systems.¹

How Can I Increase My Chances of LASIK Success?

You can increase your chances of LASIK success by:⁴

• Choosing an experienced surgeon and a center such as Virginia Eye Consultants with a strong reputation for excellence
• Being realistic about what to expect from your vision after surgery and for years to come
• Understanding the benefits and potential side effects of LASIK surgery
• Being committed to your recovery and healing process
• Understanding how LASIK is performed and asking any questions you may have

Contact Us for LASIK in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Norfolk or Suffolk

To learn more about LASIK success rates and safety, including whether you are a good candidate for LASIK, please contact Virginia Eye Consultants to schedule a free consultation with one of our ophthalmologists.

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References
¹ Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T, et al. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Aug;42(8):1224-34.
² Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774. Accessed December 17, 2019.
³ Boyd K. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik. Accessed December 17, 2019.
⁴ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-safe-need-know. Accessed December 17, 2019.