Lasik treatments are a type of eye surgery which uses lasers to reshape the cornea and to modify certain types of eye/vision defects. So, for example, this technique can often be used to ‘cure’ short/near sight, long/far sight and astigmatism.

Lasik as a procedure has been around for some years and it is widely held to be one of the safest procedures around. As with any medical procedure, however, there are risks with this kind of surgery and no guarantees written in stone that you will achieve the visual improvements that you are aiming for.

So, what should you know about the safety of Lasik procedures?

#1 The FDA and Lasik — in the US the FDA approves the actual laser devices that are used in a Lasik procedure but they have no technical control over what a surgeon does here. So, for a start, you should make sure that the clinic/hospital that you use conforms to FDA regulations in terms of the equipment that they use. You should also look for a clinic/surgeon that can demonstrate a strong track record of experience in this field and that takes a consultative approach. You and your eyes need to be checked out thoroughly here (not everyone can actually have this kind of surgery) and all of your options should be discussed with you together with any risks.

#2 The downsides of Lasik — in certain procedures problems can arise with the surgery carried out here. These side effects can include dry eye syndrome, a loss of lines of vision and/or vision problems such as seeing glare and halos around objects. You may also simply find that your treatment didn’t give you the effects you had hoped for. In some cases these problems can be sorted out and in others they may be permanent. You may even find yourself with slightly improved vision but still in a situation where you need glasses or contact lenses to see properly. One of the issues to consider here is that these issues can arise even if you use a reputable surgeon so you need to understand what could happen and how you would manage these problems if they occurred.

#3 Your suitability for treatment — not all people who want Lasik treatment should have it and a reputable doctor will assess your situation and your eyes in-depth before agreeing to treat you. If, for example, you have quite severe long or short sightedness then you probably won’t see the kinds of effects that someone with a less extreme case will have. Again, you might see an improvement but you may still need to wear glasses/contact lenses. This kind of surgical procedure is also not recommended if your eyes are in what is known as a state of refractive instability which often occurs in younger people, people with diabetes and women who are pregnant/breastfeeding. This term refers to changes in your vision (i.e. you have recently needed to change your contacts or glasses prescription). The actual condition/make-up of your eye and certain types of diseases/illness may also be an issue here.

Although Lasik procedures are a safe option for the majority of people who have them they can have negative side effects and may not be suitable for everybody. This is why it is absolutely essential to talk through the procedure with a reputable and qualified medical professional before you make up your mind.

Lasik surgery is an operation performed to correct long or short-sightedness, by using specialized lasers to correct refractive errors in the eye. People choose this type of surgery because they have a problem with their vision and need to wear spectacles or contact lenses to see properly. This is not always convenient and in some occupations, can even be dangerous. Lasik eye surgery permanently corrects the errors in the eye and removes the need for wearing glasses or contacts for correct vision.

Some people who have a focusing problem with their eyes can be helped with Lasik surgery. “Refractive error” is a condition that leads to blurred vision, either at long distances or close up. The patients are either long-sighted or short-sighted. The lens and cornea are the two parts of the focusing system of the eye, and if they are out of alignment, the patient has blurred vision at some distances. Spectacles or contact lenses are prescribed to correct the refractive error and allows the person to see normally when wearing these aids. Lasik surgery corrects the refractive error permanently. However, not all people are suited to Lasik surgery.

Wavefront Lasik treatment, which uses a Wavefront laser, is the latest and most popular type of Lasik eye surgery. This system uses calculations based on the eye prescription of the patient and the thickness and curvature of the cornea. Each procedure is finely calculated to the individual patient. It is effective in reducing the side effects previously common in conventional Lasik surgery, though they can still occur.

Most people are concerned about possible side effects. While Lasik eye surgery has been performed on thousands of patients and has proven very effective, with most patients happy with their results, there is always risk associated with any surgical procedure.

These side effects can include things like sensitivity to glare and light particularly at night, seeing a halo around objects, hazy vision, and some patients report having developed a Dry Eye condition, a worsening of their vision after the surgery or results that were not permanent.

Specialist clinics have been established to offer the Lasik procedure and are staffed by qualified doctors. Prices can vary greatly between clinics so it is wise to shop around. Find out what exactly is covered in the price quoted and if there are any additional costs. You can expect Lasik eye surgery to cost you between $1,600 and $2,400 per eye.

To find a doctor to perform Lasik surgery, you will be best advised to do some research into the various eye clinics that specialize in the procedure. There are many quality clinics and doctors’ around and you need to go and see more than just one to find the doctor who is right for you. Look for a surgeon who has performed many Lasik procedures and who has a good reputation. Ask as many questions as you need and request the procedure to be fully explained to you.