How Effective Is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery has become a widespread, routine procedure — but do the ends really justify the means?

Regardless of how common a medical procedure may be, most patients still approach with a bit of trepidation — and for good reason. Any surgery should be taken seriously, no matter how small, superficial, or regularly performed it may be.

As such, if you’re considering an elective procedure, chances are you’ll find yourself weighing the potential risks against the potential rewards — it’s the rational thing to do. The good news is that if the procedure you’re considering is laser eye surgery, empirical data shows that you don’t have a whole lot to worry about.

Laser eye surgery has the highest patient success rate of any elective procedure, with 96% of patients expressing satisfaction with the results. What’s more, 99% attain at least 20/40 vision after surgery, while over 90% end up with the gold standard of 20/20 vision. Here are some other things you should know if you’re considering a laser eye procedure.

What to Expect

As far as medical procedures are concerned, laser eye surgery is relatively painless and minimally intrusive in terms of its impact on your life. The surgery itself usually takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll regain vision shortly after and be able to go back to your normal routine almost immediately. While it usually takes a few weeks before you can wear makeup and several months before the eyes totally stabilize, the recovery process shouldn’t interfere with your normal day-to-day life.

The benefits of laser eye surgery are numerous. For example, many patients find that work becomes significantly easier, while others are able to better enjoy hobbies and passions, such as sports, arts and crafts, reading, movies, and more. Of course, you’ll need to discuss your specific eye condition, general state of health, and personal goals for your vision with your eyecare specialist in order to determine whether it’s the best option for you.

Towards a Clearer Future

Because laser eye surgery typically isn’t covered by insurance, the cost is another factor you’ll need to consider before making a decision. Bear in mind, however, that the total cost usually covers more than just the procedure itself. It can encompass the initial consultation, the surgery, and several follow-up appointments. Moreover, you should consider the cost of the surgery in terms of its lifetime value — i.e., compared to the amount of money you’ll spend on glasses, new prescriptions, and contacts over the years. When viewed in this context, the return on that one-time investment starts to come into focus (no pun intended).

At the end of the day, laser eye surgery has become commonplace because it’s A) highly effective, B) relatively affordable, and C) useful in treating so many different vision-related issues. If you suffer from poor or declining vision, contact one of the eye specialists at our Chandler and Mesa locations and schedule a consultation to find out if you’re a candidate for laser eye surgery. We look forward to hearing from you!