Realistic Expectations After Your Vision Correction Surgery

There have been any number of studies done on the outcomes of LASIK eye surgery, and even the least impressive results indicate that approximately 90 percent of patients achieve a level of vision equal to, or greater than, their state’s driving license standard. Doctors generally report that their LASIK patients who do not have pre-existing conditions often exceed these results.

When all the statistics are reviewed, and all of the anecdotal evidence considered as well, a very positive picture emerges of laser vision correction, with solid data attesting to reliably beneficial outcomes. Of course, people do heal differently, so outcomes can vary as to time, amount of pain involved, side effects and so forth. This is why it is important to keep your expectations reasonable if you are considering LASIK eye surgery.

The level and quality of your corrected vision after LASIK surgery, as with any laser vision correction procedure, depends on your particular case. Still, some doctors report that 99 percent of their patients achieve 20/20 or 20/25 vision. As part of your consultation with potential LASIK surgeons, you should ask how carefully they track their own patient outcomes. Do not make any assumptions that the doctor or clinic is above or below the national standard. Ask questions until you find out about their specific results.

A solid majority of LASIK patients will achieve very good to excellent vision, and leave their glasses or contacts behind for good. Of course, for a few will there will be some minor“refractive error” remaining that keeps them slightly nearsighted or farsighted, or afflicts them with mild astigmatism. Although this set of patients can see fine for regular daily activities, they may need glasses for nighttime driving or other activities. An enhancement laser procedure can be performed after about six months if the patient wants to alleviate any remaining conditions.

You can reasonably expect that your chance of needing such enhancement surgery is in the neighborhood of .5 percent—yes, that is one half of one percent. As with any kind of surgery, you and your doctor will discuss and weigh the possible benefits, your own particular expectations and, of course, all of the potential risks of both your initial surgery and any enhancement procedures.

The goal of laser vision correction is to eliminate or reduce your reliance on glasses or contact lenses, and this is achieved for a high percentage of LASIK patients. However, if you are over 40 years old, you still may need reading glasses even after LASIK eye surgery, since it is normal for vision to diminish in certain ways with age.

One of the major questions people have is how long the benefits of the LASIK eye surgery will last. The first patient to undergo laser vision correction was an American who had the procedure in 1987. After attaining 20/20 vision after the LASIK eye surgery, this patient still has 20/20 vision 20 years later. The worldwide consensus of vision experts is that that there are no long-term problems with laser vision correction.

LASIK eye surgery is an established procedure, but one which is being improved and refined continuously.

By: Monica Keller

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As with any laser vision correction procedure, “your mileage may vary”. But if you are fully informed and have communicated candidly with your doctor, you will know how to determine what the reasonable expectations are for your own LASIK procedure.