LASIK has already helped millions of individuals with refractive errors. According to Statista, over 700,000 LASIK surgeries were performed in the United States in 2020 alone.
There are other surgeries designed to address refractive errors, like conductive keratoplasty (CK) and the epikeratome laser-assisted keratomileusis procedure. But LASIK remains a popular choice. People choose it for several reasons.
High Surgery Success And Patient Satisfaction Rate
LASIK has shown promising results. Around 90% of people who have LASIK end up with 20/40 or 20/20 vision. And according to studies, there are great results with LASIK performed to treat astigmatism and myopia.
LASIK Is Safe
Like any other medical procedure, LASIK also comes with risks. However, most of these complications resolve after a few weeks or months. And only a tiny percentage of patients experience these side effects. These include dry eyes, double vision, sensitivity to light, under-correction, overcorrection, and vision loss in extreme cases.
LASIK Is Minimally Invasive And Fast
LASIK uses a laser programmed to remove a minuscule amount of tissue from the cornea. In some cases, an eye doctor may use a blade device. But the procedure isn’t invasive.
During the surgery, the patient lies on their back in a reclining chair. The eye doctor may give you a mild sedative to numb your eyes. It may take your eye doctor 15 minutes to treat an eye. It means the procedure can be completed in half an hour.
Offers Immediate Results
Patients may experience eye discomfort but are able to see right after the surgery. Your eyes are likely to heal entirely after two or three months. Once the eyes are fully healed, patients’ vision improves. You can now go back to your routine. But still, ask your eye doctor about the activities you can perform.
Say Goodbye To Glasses And Contact Lenses
Glasses and contacts allow people with refractive errors to see clearly. But they can be cumbersome. LASIK reduces an individual’s dependence on corrective eyewear. After the surgery, you may not need glasses or contacts for many years or decades
Is LASIK Right For You?
While many people choose LASIK to fix their eye problems and get positive results, that does not mean it will be the same for everybody. LASIK has limitations and qualifying factors. For example, you must be at least 18 years old and in excellent health.
Invest In Your Vision
LASIK is popular and effective, but it is not cheap. The surgery costs at least a thousand dollars per eye, and most medical insurance policies do not cover this procedure. Nevertheless, LASIK pays for itself in the long run. The effects last for a lifetime, as long as there are no changes in your cornea.
The LASIK we know today started as Keratomileusis. It was conceived in 1948 and developed into LASIK in the late 1900s. The procedure has already come a long way since it started. With its effectiveness in treating refractive errors, LASIK will remain a popular choice among people with eye conditions.
For more information on LASIK vision correction, visit Treasure Coast Eye Specialists. We have offices in Port Saint Lucie and Stuart, Florida. To schedule an appointment, call 772-400-2400 or 772-286-0007.