Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe?
As sight is so important to our lives, it’s only natural to feel apprehensive about any procedure involving our eyes. LASIK is a popular laser eye surgery, successfully performed on over 700,000 patients each year. So, Is LASIK surgery safe?
We hear this question (and many more) often so below we’ll discuss the safety, success rates, and potential risks of LASIK so you can feel more confident going into your surgical procedure.
What Is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK surgery is a medical procedure involving a precise laser guided by advanced motion-detecting technology. The laser alters the cornea’s surface to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
The procedure only takes a few minutes and does not require general anaesthesia, which greatly lowers the risk of complications associated with most surgeries.
Surgeons use technology that can detect eye movements up to 4,000 times per second for the most precise results. Such guided technology removes mistake risks from the patient blinking, coughing, sneezing, or moving.
LASIK and LASEK are two types of refractive eye surgeries used to correct vision problems. In LASIK, a specialised instrument is used to create a thin flap on the cornea’s surface. Underneath this flap, a laser is employed to accurately reshape the corneal layer, which improves the eye’s focusing power. Once the reshaping is done, the flap is carefully repositioned back on the cornea. On the other hand, LASEK involves the precise removal of the cornea’s thin top layer. Subsequently, a laser modifies the shape of the underlying layer, effectively improving vision. After this procedure, the top layer is reattached to the cornea, allowing for a recovery process. Each of these surgeries has its own merits and potential risks, thus, one must consult with an eye-care professional to make an informed decision.
How Safe Is LASIK?
LASIK is the most commonly performed eye surgery and therefore has many studies analysing its safety and effectiveness. Here are a few key points from over 97 LASIK studies analysing 67,893 patient outcomes:
- Over 90% of patients enjoyed perfect vision results (6/6 vision).
- Nearly 100% of patients reached vision requirements for legal driving (6/12 vision).
- Fewer than 0.4% of patients saw vision reductions or experienced complications.
- Approximately 99% of patients reported overall positive outcomes.
What Are the Potential Risks and Side Effects of LASIK?
You will likely experience blurry or hazy vision the first couple of days after your procedure. This effect is normal and should resolve within 48 hours.
Some patients also experience rarer side effects. Considering all of the associated risks is important for any procedure.
The most common issues that may arise during the healing process from LASIK include the following:
- Over or under-correction, resulting in less-than-perfect vision (additional procedures or contact lenses can resolve this)
- Loss of visual sharpness as your vision stabilises (should resolve within six months).
- Dry eyes lasting for a few weeks due to reduced tear production.
- Corneal tissue damage from returning to certain activities, like swimming or rubbing your eyes too soon after the procedure.
Determining if LASIK Is Appropriate for You
The effectiveness of LASIK will depend on your specific needs. Your current prescription, corneal thickness, lifestyle, and pre-existing eye conditions can all impact how the procedure goes. To reduce complications, you should only consider LASIK if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Your Ophthalmologist will determine this.
So, is LASIK surgery safe? Yes, but you should consult an Ophthalmologist about your eligibility. Dr Cameron McLintock can analyse your vision to offer your best procedure option. Schedule a consultation with Dr Cameron McLintock today.