Success with lasik correction

Lasik eye surgery was first approved in 1998. In its short history there have been developments in both technology and procedures that have affected the outcomes for patients who have received lasik eye surgery. Newer developments like wavefront lasik have proven to yield better results than traditional lasik. There are still limitations to what can be achieved through lasik. Results can vary from person to person depending on their personal eye health and other affecting factors. It is important to know exactly what can happen and about the general success of lasik vision correction.

As with any surgery there are outcomes that rarely happen, but if they do can have a real impact on the patient. It is always good to know what the worst possible outcome can be, so you are aware of any possibility. With lasik vision correction there is a possibility of blindness. Although this can happen it is very preventable. If you have a skilled and experienced surgeon this is unlikely to be the end result. Other effects can involve decreased vision, loss of night vision, glare, double vision and no improved result at all. Most of these result from under correction or over correction and can most often be improved through an additional lasik procedure. Under correction and over correction occur when the laser is not programmed correctly or set correctly during surgery. Dry eye syndrome can also occur. There are treatments for dry eye syndrome that your surgeon can recommend, but dry eye syndrome does not have a cure. Most less successful results can be avoided by using a good surgeon and discussing all your medical information with your doctor before surgery.

Your surgeon may offer advice based upon what medical history you give him. People who have problems with their eyes other than vision blurriness may not receive the best results possible. Far sighted patients may find that the correction reverses itself as they age. It is also likely that the age related vision problem called presbyopia will also affect patients as they age and thus require the use of reading glasses. Long term studies have not been done because lasik is a relatively new procedure.

In general, most lasik vision correction procedures end with great results. Around 50 % of patients end with 20/20 vision. With newer technology like wavefront those results are much higher with reports stating up to 94% of patients ending with 20/20 vision. Common side effects like glare and dry eye syndrome are also still rare and easily avoidable. As lasik technology improves so will the chances of obtaining the perfect eyesight desired.

Lasik eye surgery is non-reversible. It is permanent and so that makes it very important for patients to understand all the possible outcomes. Success rates are still much better than failures, so while understanding is important it is still reasonable to expect good results. If you are an informed patient who makes a good choice in a surgeon then you can expect lasik correction success.

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