“How successful is LASIK?”

92% of patients are 20/25 or better.

You need to see a physician who does lasik to determine if you are even a candidate. Generally, success rates are extremely high but rare complications do happen.

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik is a good resource.

Lasik surgery can be quite successful for the right patient. An evaluation by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist trained in refractive surgery will help determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.

LASIK has over a 99% success rate. You might want to quibble about the definition of "success". LASIK surgeons aim for perfect distance vision - no eyeglasses needed afterwards. And usually achieve this. A few are off target and a redo termed enhancement can be done for improvement. There are some serious problems you will discover on an internet search - almost all of these are from the early machines (check the dates).  Current machines are 4th generation with most of these problems corrected. Post procedure eye dryness can occur and many get LASIK due to contact lens discomfort from dry eyes and they are at higher risk. If you qualify on the basis of your eye power and general eye health, you have an extremely high chance of success.

Usually successful unless a complication occurs

This depends on several factors:

1. Whether your glasses or contact lens prescription has been stable for the last year
2. Whether your cornea is of normal thickness and has been healthy with no dry eye and no prior infections
3. whether you have any other eye diseases like diabetes, cataract or glaucoma
4. whether you are in good general health free of autoimmune, diabetes or rheumatologic disease
5. Not pregnant or nursing

Success is determined by your yardstick so is not so simple as a %. Some studies determine success as better than 20/40 or what the DMV says you need to drive, other people determine success as uncorrected vision of 20/20 so being the ideal candidate means also finding the right doctor who will take the time to explain based on your yardstick and your unique eye and health, what are the risks and benefits

Lasik is very successful as long as you are a candidate for the procedure. Greater than 98% of patients will be able to drive comfortably without glasses within 24hrs of having the procedure. Most common side effects following the procedure are dryness and glare, both of which resolve within several weeks post-operatively if it happens to you. Recent studies have shown that having Lasik decreases your risk for corneal infections when compared with continued long-term contact lens wear. The best way to learn if Lasik is a good option for you is to schedule a consultation with an experienced Lasik surgeon.

Hope you find this information helpful.

Dr Anthony Roberts

Hi there,

The main purpose of laser refractive survey is to create a hassle-free vision without dependency on glasses or contact lenses. In my case, I have a 100% percent success.

Dr. Rebecca Mammo