LASIK surgery is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional glasses and contacts. With modern medical advances, the procedure is also precise, simple, and effective.
But before you decide to get LASIK, you should be aware of all the risks, as you should with any surgery. You should also know that while most patients that get LASIK end up with near-perfect vision, it’s not a guarantee.
Keep reading to find out if you will achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK!
The Statistics
If there’s no guarantee of perfect vision, what are the odds of having 20/20 vision after LASIK? Around 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better.
Nearly 99% achieve at least 20/40 vision or better. So what’s the difference between 20/20 and 20/40 vision?
20/20 vision means you can see objects 20 feet away just as well as anyone who can see without a refractive error. 20/40 vision is a step below this.
It means you can see an object at 20 feet with the same clarity as a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. 20/40 isn’t perfect, although many people with 20/40 vision don’t need glasses or contacts to see while doing everyday tasks.
Managing Expectations
Over 95% of patients report total satisfaction with their LASIK procedure. The way the numbers add up, you may see there’s a discrepancy between 20/20 vision and patient satisfaction.
Why? It could have to do with the fact that patients go into LASIK with different expectations. A key part of getting LASIK is having realistic expectations.
If you go in expecting perfect vision, you’re more likely to be disappointed. If you want a guarantee that your vision will be perfect, LASIK may not be the right choice for you.
But if you understand the risks and manage your expectations, you’re far more likely to be satisfied.
Maximizing Your Odds
The best way to maximize the odds that you’ll achieve your best vision is to choose a good surgeon. Reputable practices have a higher percentage of patient satisfaction.
The skill of the surgeon, although important, isn’t the only factor when it comes to calculating success with LASIK. You also want to be sure that the practice you choose screens out between 10-20% of LASIK candidates.
This indicates that they’re thorough and care more about doing a good job and keeping patients safe rather than profit. Some people aren’t good candidates for LASIK.
This may be because of health problems or simply not having a thick enough cornea. While it’s disappointing to find out you’re not a good LASIK candidate, it’s the best solution.
Getting LASIK and being a bad fit for the procedure could mean ending up with serious complications. Even if you’re not right for LASIK, there are other vision correction procedures you may qualify for.
If a practice that does a good job at evaluating candidates clears you for LASIK, that’s a good sign that you’ll leave satisfied with your LASIK results. Be sure to do your research and make sure that you’re choosing the best surgeon to perform your operation.
Ready to find out if you could be a good LASIK candidate? The first step is a LASIK consultation! Schedule yours at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA now!
