Many
people rely on glasses and contacts to correct their vision, but some
find these methods inconvenient, uncomfortable or unattractive. Lasik
eye surgery is one of the newest procedures to correct vision problems.
But, before you sign up for the surgery, the
Better Business Bureau, along with the
Federal Trade Commission, suggests you know the facts:
-
Lasik is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye.
- Hundreds of thousand of people have had Lasik, most very successfully.
- As with any surgery there are risks and possible complications.
- Lasik
may not give you perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology
(AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but
20/20 does not always mean perfect vision.
- Lasik is too new to know if there are any long-term ill effects beyond five years after surgery.
- Lasik surgery cannot be reversed.
- If you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you’ll still need reading glasses around age 45.
- You may need additional surgery - called “enhancements” - to get the best possible vision after Lasik.
Only ophthalmologists (eye doctors) are permitted to perform Lasik. Ask
your eye doctor or optometrist for a referral to an eye doctor who
performs Lasik and ask the following questions:
-
How long have you been doing Lasik surgery?
- How much experience do you have with the Lasik procedure?
- What
laser will you be using for my surgery? Make sure your surgeon is using
a laser approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- What’s involved in after-surgery care?
- Who will handle after-surgery care? Who will be responsible?
If you decide Lasik surgery is for you, consulting your eye doctor is
critical to making an informed decision. The most satisfied laser
surgery patient is one who has realistic expectations and a thorough
understanding of the risks and possible complications of Lasik surgery.
For more information about vision correction procedures contact the
American Academy of Ophthalmology, PO Box 7424, San Francisco, CA
94120-7424;
www.eyenet.org. If you have a complaint, contact the
Federal Trade Commission at 1.877.FTC.HELP.
