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How Safe Is LASIK?
Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center
LASIK eye surgery is a very popular procedure these days and is becoming synonymous with easy and effective vision correction.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you may have considered LASIK yourself, but may also wonder if the procedure is safe. Allow us to assure you by telling you more about it!
About LASIK
LASIK eye surgery is a surgical procedure that is used to correct vision in people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have an astigmatism. This surgery works by reshaping the cornea so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina at the back of the eye. It is one of the most commonly performed vision corrective surgery procedures. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 600,000 LASIK surgery procedures are performed in the United States each year.
Technological Innovations
Since its early days, LASIK eye surgery has been considered a very safe and effective procedure among medical professionals and the general public alike. When this eye surgery first came about, surgeons would perform part of the surgery by hand using an instrument called a microkeratome, which featured a sharp blade used to create the corneal flap.
While this procedure usually was done without incident, in some rare cases, imprecise or irregular flaps were created. However, today most eye doctors performing LASIK surgery use a computer-guided laser beam of light to create the corneal flap. A laser beam is also used to remove a microscopically small layer of tissue to sculpt the cornea and alter its curvature, thus improving the way light is focused through the cornea onto the retina to improve vision.
Complications Are Rare
The complication rate for LASIK surgery is very low, making it one of the safest surgical procedures performed today. Dr. Mitchell can perform a full comprehensive examination beforehand to identify any factors that can increase the risk for complications such as thin corneas and dry eyes.
Only about 1% of patients have complications with their LASIK procedure. A small percentage of patients require an additional surgery after their first, which is called LASIK enhancement. This is due to over-correction or under-correction resulting in residual prescription.
Significant vision loss is very rare following LASIK surgery. There have been no reported cases anywhere in the world of blindness following LASIK surgery.
Schedule Your LASIK Consultation Today
The Mitchell Eye Center is a leading provider of LASIK eye surgery in the Boca Raton, FL area. If you would like to find out if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, please contact us today to schedule your LASIK consultation. We look forward to seeing you soon!
