LASIK can feel like a miracle for many people who need glasses or contact lenses to see. The idea of no longer needing glasses or contact lenses can mean saving money on prescription eyewear in the long run. On the other hand, laser eye surgery is still a medical procedure, which leads some people to ask, “How safe is LASIK eye surgery?”
LASIK is a very safe procedure with the vast majority of patients being satisfied with their results. Side effects do occur following treatment but they eventually go away on their own. In very rare instances it’s possible for complications or long-term symptoms to occur. This underscores the importance of choosing an experienced surgeon for your procedure.
How Safe Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery is a popular surgical procedure used to improve vision. Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, it’s ideal for treating refractive errors such as:
- Farsightedness
- Nearsightedness
- Astigmatism
Following laser vision correction and the recovery period, LASIK patients often no longer need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Despite the potential of the procedure, it’s still common for patients to ask, “How safe is LASIK eye surgery?”
The answer: LASIK is considered a safe and effective procedure. In fact, one influential study reported that between 96 and 99% percent of patients were satisfied with their results.
Like all surgeries, it’s important to remember that there are risks and benefits to LASIK. This is due to how the procedure works. During the procedure, your eye surgeon creates a flap in the cornea and reshapes it with an excimer laser to correct your vision problem. It usually takes less than 30 minutes to reshape the cornea of both eyes and only local anesthesia is required.
It’s common to experience some side effects after your LASIK procedure, but they usually go away on their own. This includes:
- Discomfort
- Blurry vision
- Dry eye
- Glare
- Halos around lights
Discomfort and blurry vision usually resolve in a few days. Dry eye, glare, and halos around lights can take a few weeks to a few months to resolve themselves.
There is also a risk of long-term complications following LASIK. Fortunately, they are so rare that fewer than 1% of patients experience them.
These rare complications include:
- Infections
- Issues with the flap of the cornea
- Vision loss
The best way to avoid these problems is by choosing a skilled eye surgeon. They can tell if you’re a good candidate for LASIK and perform the procedure as safely as possible. Our providers at Baptist Eye Surgeons located in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN are well-skilled and certified in a variety of surgeries that can restore and improve vision, including LASIK.
Click here for three things you need to know about LASIK!
Choosing the Best Surgeon for LASIK in Knoxville, TN
It’s important to research eye surgeons before choosing one to perform your LASIK procedure. For example, Baptist Eye Surgeons has been providing high-quality ophthalmology to Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee area for 40 years.
Our team has the experience and know-how to provide you with the best LASIK experience possible. As one Knoxville patient reported after his procedure with us:
After LASIK, I haven’t felt the need to put eye drops in every hour or even every day for dry eyes like I used to. I also really like waking up in the middle of the night and being able to see without fumbling for my glasses.
To learn more about what to know before choosing a LASIK surgeon, click here!
Unfortunately, not every LASIK provider has your best interest at heart. Some attract qualifying patients using prices as low as $99 to $500. This seems like a dream come true at first, but those low prices are rarely what patients get. Instead, the specialist may use the exam to find a disqualifying factor like astigmatism and recommend a more expensive option.
The problem with this is that astigmatism will appear in nearly everyone using modern wavefront testing. Developed for custom LASIK, wavefront technology is much more sensitive than conventional eye exam technology. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that very few patients would actually qualify for the discount price.
Another factor to consider is the age of their equipment. Discount LASIK providers can charge lower prices if they’re using older model lasers. This can seem appealing at first, but you should never risk your health for your vision. LASIK has come a long way since it was introduced in the 1990s, and it’s not worth risking your results for a discounted price.
Do you want to learn what LASIK can do for your vision? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
Those asking “How safe is LASIK eye surgery?” can rest easy knowing that it’s a common and safe procedure with results that satisfy the vast majority of patients. There are some initial side effects after treatment but they usually go away on their own. There are rare cases where a complication or long-term symptoms occur and it’s important to seek treatment if this happens. This shows why it’s important to choose an experienced surgeon for your procedure.
Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, Morristown, and Sevierville. Call us at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
