By Dr. Marshall Everson, MD | Twin Cities Eye Consultants
It is a natural instinct for humans to protect their eyes. After all, our eyesight is precious and fear is one of the most common reasons people delay LASIK. Fortunately, LASIK has been around for over 30 years and the results have been amazing. The data shows that LASIK is one of the safest surgeries performed in the world today. The natural trepidation and anxiety when one considers LASIK transforms into excitement and anticipation, and ultimately genuine satisfaction once the procedure is completed.
Fear is one of the most common reasons people delay LASIK. The idea of a laser near your eye triggers something instinctive in almost everyone, even patients who are tired of glasses and contacts and genuinely want a change.
That hesitation is understandable. But in many cases, it is based on an outdated picture of what LASIK actually involves.
The data tells a different story. And as a refractive surgeon who has spent decades performing LASIK in the Twin Cities, I think patients deserve to know what it actually shows.
LASIK Has One of the Highest Satisfaction Rates of Any Elective Procedure
Patient satisfaction after LASIK consistently ranks among the highest of any elective surgical procedure. Multiple large-scale studies report satisfaction rates between 95% and 98%.
Since FDA approval in the 1990s, an estimated 20 to 25 million laser vision correction procedures have been performed in the United States. That volume, combined with a long-term outcomes record, gives LASIK one of the most well-documented safety profiles in all of elective medicine.
What Has Changed: The Technology Behind Modern LASIK
Since it’s inception LASIK has achieved great results but technology does not stand still and LASIK continues to evolve. Advancements continue to push the boundaries of the types of treatments that can be performed and outcomes are better than ever.
Here is what has changed.
All-laser, bladeless procedures are now standard. The earliest LASIK techniques used a mechanical blade to create the corneal flap. Today, femtosecond lasers handle this step with computer-guided precision. The result is a flap that is precisely shaped and accurately centered in a way that is difficult to achieve consistently by hand.
Wavefront-guided and topography-guided treatment allow surgeons to treat each eye as an individual. Rather than applying a standard correction based on prescription alone, these technologies create a detailed three-dimensional map of the eye’s unique optical characteristics.
The laser then addresses not just nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, but also subtle higher-order aberrations that can contribute to glare, halos, and reduced contrast sensitivity. Topography-guided LASIK has been shown to produce 20/20 vision or better in a higher percentage of patients compared to traditional techniques.
Real-time eye tracking compensates for involuntary movement during the procedure. One of the most common fears patients express is that they will blink, flinch, or move at the wrong moment. Modern laser systems track eye position thousands of times per second and adjust automatically. When the laser is doing the work, human movement variables are removed from the equation.
Advanced screening and candidacy evaluation have made patient selection significantly more rigorous. Not every patient is a LASIK candidate, and identifying who is and who is not has become more precise. Conditions like thin corneas, irregular topography, or certain dry eye presentations can be detected pre-operatively. Patients who are not ideal candidates for LASIK may be better served by PRK or refractive lens exchange.
Individualized surgical planning is not a selling point. It is absolutely necessary and provided for each and every candidate.
At Twin Cities Eye Consultants, every LASIK evaluation uses advanced diagnostic imaging to create a treatment plan specific to each patient’s anatomy. No two eyes are the same, and no two treatment plans should be either.
Addressing the Most Common Fears
“What if I move or blink during the procedure?” The laser tracks your eye in real time. If movement exceeds a safe threshold, the system pauses automatically.
You cannot blink during the procedure. A gentle instrument holds the eye open throughout. Most patients are surprised by how brief and manageable the experience actually is.
“Will it hurt?” Numbing eye drops are applied before the procedure begins. Most patients feel mild pressure for a short period, not pain. The procedure typically takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, with the laser active for only seconds per eye.
“What about dry eye and night vision problems?” Temporary dry eye and some light sensitivity are the most commonly reported side effects following LASIK. For most patients, these resolve within the first few months as the eye heals.
Advances in topography-guided technology have meaningfully reduced the incidence of glare and halos compared to earlier techniques. Patients with significant pre-existing dry eye are typically identified during the candidacy evaluation before any decision is made.
“What if it doesn’t work, or my vision gets worse?” Studies show that 80 to 95% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better within one year of surgery, with 90% maintaining that outcome at five years. For patients who require a small enhancement after the initial procedure, that option is generally available. Long-term data consistently shows that refractive results from LASIK are stable over time in appropriate candidates.
“Is LASIK permanent?” The corneal reshaping performed during LASIK does not “wear off”. However, eyes can and will change. Most notably, age-related changes to the eye, including the development of presbyopia (which affects near vision in most people in their 40s), occur independently of the LASIK procedure. These are normal changes that happen with or without having had LASIK.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
LASIK is not the right procedure for everyone, and a reputable surgeon will tell you that honestly. Good candidates are generally:
- 18 years of age or older, with a stable prescription for at least one to two years
- Free of significant corneal conditions such as keratoconus or irregular astigmatism
- Without active autoimmune conditions or uncontrolled dry eye
- Within the treatable range for their degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- Not pregnant or nursing
The best way to know if you are a candidate is a comprehensive eye exam and consultation to determine your overall eye health. At Twin Cities Eye Consultants, LASIK consultations are free of charge and include a full suite of diagnostic measurements to determine whether LASIK, PRK, or another vision correction option is the right fit for your eyes.
The Right Question to Ask
The question most patients should be asking is not whether LASIK is safe. The data has answered that convincingly over more than two decades and tens of millions of procedures.
The more useful question is whether LASIK is right for you. That requires an individualized evaluation from a surgeon who will give you an honest answer either way. The decision to have LASIK is a very personal one. It is a lifestyle choice. A choice that has been made possible by amazing advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities.
If you have been holding off on LASIK because of fear, I would encourage you to come in and find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK and to learn more about how the procedure works and what it might do for you.
Is LASIK Right for You?
Twin Cities Eye Consultants offers free LASIK consultations at locations across the Twin Cities. Our surgeons use the most advanced all-laser technology available and take the time to walk every patient through their options before any decision is made.
As a practice, Twin Cities Eye Consultants has performed more than 150,000 cataract surgeries and is one of the most experienced surgical programs in Minnesota. When you choose a surgeon for LASIK, look for volume, training, and a team that will give you an honest answer about whether the procedure is right for you.
Call us at 612-999-2020 or schedule your free LASIK consultation online.
