Since its FDA approval in 1996, LASIK eye surgery’s results have seen continual improvements. The procedure offers tremendous benefits and can improve a person’s quality of life. Because of new technology and a practitioner’s experience and skill, over ten million people enjoy reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Most patients have 20/20 vision following LASIK eye surgery, but not everyone gets the same results. Some may still need corrective lenses following the procedure, but prescriptions are less significant and acuity levels are, typically, much improved.
LASIK’s Safety Record
This procedure has a solid safety record, but post-surgical complications occur in some cases. A small number of patients may need a touch-up or enhancement surgery to see the desired level of improvement. Because of presbyopia, some LASIK patients may need to wear reading glasses once they reach their 40s or 50s, due to normal, age-related near-vision loss. Overall, the procedure has a high success rate, but patients should consider and discuss all risks with the surgeon before having LASIK done.
LASIK Results: Do They Last Forever?
LASIK is a permanent surgical procedure that corrects issues such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. The process involves the use of an excimer laser to correct the shape of, or reshape, the cornea, which eliminates or reduces the need for corrective lenses. Typically, the patient’s cornea focuses external light onto the back of the eye to create images. If the person’s cornea is improperly shaped, images are distorted and vision is blurry. For hundreds of years, corrective eyewear was the only solution to the problem; but, with today’s LASIK eye surgery, patients can usually achieve permanent improvement in their vision.
The Process
During surgery, the LASIK practitioner creates a very small flap on the cornea’s surface. Following that, he or she uses an excimer laser to gently reshape the now-exposed cornea. Each laser pulse removes a few millionths of an inch of corneal tissue, allowing the surgeon to achieve pinpoint accuracy while maintaining control during the entire procedure. When shaping is completed, the flap is replaced. It adheres securely and naturally to the eye, and the patient is well on the way to improved vision.
According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, over 96% of patients achieve 20/20 vision or even better. If you think you may be a candidate for LASIK surgery Houston, contact Dr. Goosey to schedule a consultation.
