Although it is a technically demanding procedure to perform, surgeons have embraced LASIK because, once they master the technique, they can achieve excellent results for a wide range of corrections. Patients are attracted to the procedure because they experience minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.

There is a chance that surgery could result in decreased best-corrected vision. Even though the chance of losing more than 2 lines on the eye chart is less than 1%, it must be factored into your decision.

The only long-term problem surgeons foresee is that there could be a small degree of regression—where the corrective effects of surgery may gradually be lost over time. The chances of this occurring are greater for patients requiring high amounts of correction. If regression does occur, enhancement surgery or retreatment can usually be performed—at no additional cost.

At the time of this printing, we have not heard of anyone losing their sight from LASIK preformed in the United States. However, we do know of serious complications that required corneal transplant surgery. Although this risk is generally very low, the rate of incidence is something you should discuss as you select a surgeon.

Reading glasses or bifocal lenses are worn to relieve the age-related focusing problem of presbyopia. Contact lens wearers sometimes elect to have one lens fit for near vision and the other prescribed for distance vision. This is known as monovision and can also be achieved with LASIK—with one eye under-corrected for near vision and the other corrected for distance. The advantage is being able to both read up-close and see at a distance without corrective lenses. This might be particularly helpful for people, such as teachers, public speakers, politicians and clergy, who frequently shift their vision from near to far. However, monovision has possible disadvantages including decreased depth perception and blurred vision in certain instances. Because many people cannot tolerate monovision, it is important to approach it with care. In determining if this option is for you, we recommend having your optometric physician fit you with contact lenses to simulate the effect. Wearing these specially prescribed contacts for several days will give you the opportunity to “test drive” monovision in your normal daily activities.