FOR YOUR HEALTH: Is LASIK Safe? Plus, Answers To Six More Questions About LASIK

(NAPSI)—You’ve had it with glasses and contacts getting in the way of your lifestyle. You’ve heard about LASIK and maybe even talked to one of the more than 19 million people who have had the popular laser vision correction procedure. Dr. John Vukich, assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin and member of the Refractive Surgery Council, answers six of the most-asked questions about LASIK:

1) Is LASIK safe?

“All surgery comes with risk, but there is a huge amount of clinical research backing LASIK as safe and effective,” assures Dr. Vukich. “That research, and the clinical experience with the procedure, shows it has a 96 percent patient satisfaction rate and the risk of sight-threatening complications is extremely low—less than 1 percent.”

2) Does it hurt?

“The procedure is relatively painless because numbing drops are used throughout,” Dr. Vukich confirms. “Some people experience some mild discomfort after the procedure, mostly irritation and dryness, but that usually disappears within 24 hours.”

3) What are the side effects?

“Some patients experience dry eye symptoms. Some have light sensitivity, glare, halos, ghosting or starbursts,” says Dr. Vukich. “These generally go away with time and healing, but sometimes additional medication or other treatment may be needed.”

4) Will I be rid of glasses forever?

“LASIK doesn’t stop the aging process, so everyone needs reading glasses at some point,” answers Dr. Vukich. “LASIK improves the vision you have at the time of the procedure, but it won’t prevent the vision conditions that occur naturally over time, such as presbyopia and cataracts.”

5) Can anyone have LASIK?

“About 20 percent of patients aren’t good candidates for the procedure,” says Dr. Vukich. “Eye health, the shape of the cornea, medical conditions like lupus and diabetes, or certain medications can make it a less than ideal choice. It is important to share your complete medical history with your eye surgeon.”

6) Do they actually shoot lasers into your eyes?

“The short answer is yes! Today’s laser technologies reshape the cornea and correct vision without damaging any surrounding tissue,” says Dr. Vukich. “The technology we use today is so precise, the vision correction is customized to the individual patient’s eye, not just his or her prescription.”

If you are thinking now is the time to seriously look into LASIK, get the facts and go into it as an informed patient. Get started by visiting www.americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/blog.