Is LASIK Safe and Effective?
To learn more about the safety and effectiveness of LASIK, please view the excerpt of the “LASIK on the Frontlines” video*, a television documentary on the history of LASIK and vision correction in the U.S. military.
* ”LASIK and the Front Lines” is an informational video funded by an education grant from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) and produced by Patient Education Concepts, Inc.
How Safe is LASIK?
Your Vision is our Mission™. Trusted LASIK Surgeons was launched with consumers like you in mind who are interested in improving their vision. LASIK is a generally a very safe procedure and most patients who have LASIK are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery (like improvements in vision).
As you can see in the above video, the U.S. Military have extensively tested the safety and effectiveness of LASIK eye surgery for fighter pilots and members of special operations forces among others service personnel.
Research and studies on patient satisfaction support the safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery. Some additional resources include:
- FDA Video about "LASIK Complications on YouTube".
- Ophthalmology (Journal) One of the most thorough evaluation of the results of LASIK in the peer-reviewed literature was published in 2009 by Dr. Kerry Solomon and colleagues. This comprehensive study reviewed 1,581 articles from more than 20 countries published between 1988 and 2008. The evidence demonstrated that 95.4% of patients were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the results of LASIK (Solomon KD, Fernández de Castro LE, Sandoval HP, et el. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction. Ophthalmology. 2009;116:691-701).
- National Library of Medicine Article: “The 25th Anniversary of Laser Vision Correction in the United States.” This article provides a great overview of LASIK and includes statistics and information about the history and progress of laser vision correction surgery, as well as the advancements, success and safety of LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures like PRK.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). According to a LASIK discussion on the AAO website, 90% of LASIK patients achieve vision ranging from 20/20 to 20/40 without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
- Journal of Refractive Surgery (JCRS). A 2016 article entitled “LASIK Outcomes: How Are We Doing and Can We Do Better” published by the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (JCRS) “the percentage of eyes achieving an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better was 90.8%, and 99.5% achieved 20/40 or better.”
LASIK Risks and Complications Discussions and Downloadable Reports
No surgery is without the risk of complications and LASIK is no exception. This is why it is important for nyone considering LASIK or another vision correction surgical procedure to understand the potential complications and side effects so you can make an informed decision. Trusted LASIK Surgeons is committed to providing you with an honest discussion concerning the risks and complications commonly associated with LASIK and other laser eye surgery.
We have three discussions focusing on risks, complications and side effect for LASIK, All-Laser or Bladeless LASIK (focusing on the IntraLase laser) and Bilateral Simultaneous LASIK (having LASIK surgery on both eyes at around the same time) which you can access by clicking on the heading. Also provided are PDF versions. sample informed consent forms for each discussion so you can learn more about the risks and complications concerning laser vision correction surgery procedures such as LASIK and PRK.
This discussion covers traditional LASIK surgery where a blade is used to make the corneal flap as well as the vision correction portion of a LASIK procedure where a laser is used to reshape the cornea. A sample informed consent form is included for your reference. For a downloadable PDF, please click on the following link: LASIK Risks, Complications and Side Effects (Trusted LASIK SurgeonsTM).
All-Laser LASIK Risks, Complications and Side Effects.
This discussion covers “all laser” or bladeless LASIK surgery where the IntraLase™ femtosecond laser is used instead of the blade to make the corneal flap. This discussion is generally applicable to other lasers used to make the corneal flap. A sample informed consent form is included for your reference. For a downloadable PDF of this discussion, please click on the following link: All Laser Intralase LASIK Risks and Complications (Trusted LASIK SurgeonsTM).
Bilateral Simultaneous LASIK Risks, Complications and Side Effects
If you are having Bilateral Simultaneous LASIK or PRK, or in more common language you are having LASIK surgery on both eyes at the same time, this discussion should be read in addition to the discussions above as applicable on the risks and complications associated with traditional and “All Laser” LASIK. A sample informed consent form is included for your reference. For a downloadable PDF of this discussion, please click on the following link: Bilateral Simultaneous LASIK- Risks Complications and Side Effects (Trusted LASIK SurgeonsTM).
Quality of Surgeon for Quality of Your Vision
We believe anyone considering LASIK or another laser vision correction procedure should find a surgeon who will properly diagnose them, recommend the best procedure and perform their LASIK procedure at the highest professional standards.
This is why our Trusted LASIK SurgeonsTM Directory features surgeons who have proven expertise and professional accomplishments.
Most of the surgeons you find here perform other refractive and cataract surgery procedures in addition to LASIK. LASIK is not always your best option, which is why finding a reputable expert LASIK surgeon like one featured in our directory can help avoid problems.
How to Find a Highly Qualified and Experienced LASIK Surgeon
Our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory features highly qualified LASIK and refractive surgery experts who have proven experience, are active in the field of refractive surgery, and have been professionally recognized for their research, accomplishments, and contributions to advancing vision correction care.
Most of the LASIK eye surgeons in our directory also other vision correction procedures and many of these are leading experts when it comes to lens implants and other refractive surgery and cataract surgery procedures. In other words, most of the eye surgeons listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons are not simply LASIK specialists, but vision correction experts with proven experience.
More Than LASIK™
Most of the surgeons featured in the Trusted LASIK SurgeonsTM Directory perform a variety of refractive surgery procedures to give patients a more complete range of options vision correction options and are also leading experts when it comes to lens implants and other refractive surgery and cataract surgery procedures.
In other words, most of the eye surgeons listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons are not simply LASIK specialists, but vision correction experts with proven experience.
Review, Compare and Choose
Please visit our directory of vision correction where you can review a surgeon’s qualifications and expertise, compare him or her to other surgeons you are considering, and choose your surgeon with confidence.
When you contact a LASIK, cataract or vision correction surgeon from our directory, please let that surgeon know you found him or her through Trusted LASIK Surgeons™.
To find a vision correction expert surgeon who has qualified to be listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™, please visit:
Find a Trusted LASIK SurgeonTM
The screening process and standards used by Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ can be found at:
How Are LASIK Surgeons Qualified at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™?