Is LASIK Safe Things You Need To Know
                     Is LASIK Safe? Things You Need To Know
If you arebored of wearing glasses and struggling with vision issues, then Lasik is something you
should surely consider. It is likely that you have questions about the procedure and wondering
“Is LASIK Safe and a better option than glasses or contact lenses”. If this is the question that is
holding you back from having laser eye surgery, we've got you covered!
You might be surprised to know that LASIK eye surgery has been around for more than 25 
years, with over 25 million procedures performed across the world. In 1999, the procedure was 
FDA approved by the U.S. 
Some research studies, data, and basic facts compiled by the FDA on LASIK states:
 LASIK has a 95% satisfaction rate with patients.
 About 95% of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 vision or better.
 In  more  than  90%  of  the  procedures,  patients  enjoyed  20/20  vision  or  better.
 Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
LASIK is undoubtedly the safest elective surgical procedure that is available today. More than 
19 million LASIK procedures have been performed in the U.S., with excellent patient satisfaction
outcomes that exceed 98%. Based on the recent clinical research data, the complication rate 
and risk factors from LASIK eye surgery are estimated to be less than 1 percent. The technology 
used for LASIK surgery makes it one of the most successful and safest elective laser surgeries in 
the world. 
Is LASIK Safer Than Contact Lenses?
From a statistical point of view, a lot of clinical data clearly answers this question. Some of the
compelling data points include:
 According to the American Refractive Surgery Council (ARSC), the rate of infection and
the risks of corneal ulcers are found to be nearly 10 times more likely with daily contact
lens use than with LASIK complications.  These serious infections due to contact lens
complications can even cause blindness. However, due to LASIK complications, no one
has ever gone blind. 
 It is found that extended wear of soft contact lenses led to 3 times as many cases of
microbial keratitis than LASIK.
 In a study analyzing the outcomes of 58,653 procedures, less than 1 percent of patients 
lost 2 lines on the eye chart of best-corrected visual acuity.
What makes LASIK safe?
The advanced computer-driven laser technology used to reshape the cornea with microscopic
precision makes LASIK safe. This technology helps ensure patient safety with a high degree of
precision and accuracy.
 During the pre-operative evaluation of eyes, your vision and other medical history are
checked in detail.  This data is then analyzed by the surgeon to create a customized
treatment plan for your unique requirements.
 The technology being used by the LASIK platform is first developed by NASA to help
automate the docking of satellites to the Space Shuttle. The same technology is used to
track your eye movements (thousands of times per second) during the LASIK procedure.
 If you move (such as a cough or sneeze) during the procedure, the tracking system built
into the laser that follows your eye will also temporarily turn off. The procedure can
restart, once you are safely repositioned under the laser.
 The LASIK process uses the excimer laser – which emits a cool beam of ultraviolet light –
to reshape the cornea and to remove microscopic pieces of corneal tissue, allowing the
eye to focus clearly again.
 These days, most surgeons use a precision instrument called a femtosecond laser to 
create the corneal flap at the start of LASIK surgery. It operates at ultra-fast speed with 
short pulse duration to create the flap without distracting the surrounding corneal 
tissue, and hence good visual results.
LASIK Safety: What You Need To Do
To ensure your safety, understanding LASIK is an important step. Some other recommendations
include:
 Do  your  own  research  about  LASIK  procedures.  Refer  to  some  reliable  sources
(information about LASIK) on the internet. Ask friends and families who have had LASIK
is a good first which could further lead to important referrals and recommendations for
you. 
 Consult several eye surgeons to get a variety of opinions and confirm is LASIK the right
procedure for you. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in the expertise of the
surgeon you chose.  Your surgeon should be a highly-qualified, experienced, and trusted
partner in achieving the vision you want.
 During the consultation appointment(s) with the surgeon, bring your research to clarify
and confirm the information you have gathered.  This  will  help you make a decision
about whether or not LASIK is right for you.
 Like all  surgeries,  LASIK has  a recovery period.  During this  time, some patients  may
experience symptoms, such as dry eye, redness, glare, or halos. So, understanding the
recovery and healing process is important. However, these symptoms typically resolve
over time.
 Finally,  if  you  are  considered  not  to  be  a  suitable  candidate  for  LASIK,  take  the
recommendation  seriously.  Due  to  a  variety  of  health  and  medical  reasons  such  as
diabetes or autoimmune diseases including thin or damaged corneas around 20 percent
of people are not considered to be the right candidates for LASIK. Listen to your surgeon
and don’t go with a less-reputable practitioner to have it done!
Schedule  a  free  consultation  to  know  if  you  are  a  candidate  for  LASIK  or  another  type
of corrective eye surgery, please feel free to contact Columbus Lasik Vision at (1-866-600-3937)
today!