Posted by: Updegraff Laser Vision in News

“Is LASIK safe?”

When patients come in for their LASIK consultations, they often have a lot of questions. And unsurprisingly, one of the most common concerns we hear is about whether or not LASIK is safe. This makes sense, and we completely understand – after all, when it comes to something as important as your eyesight, you want to make sure you’re receiving only the best care.

Fortunately, if you’re a good candidate for LASIK, and your surgeon is experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable, LASIK is very safe.

The first step to ensuring you have a successful LASIK outcome is to have a comprehensive screening prior to surgery. Though LASIK is the result of a wonderful blend of technique and technology, it is only as good as the information on which it is based. Because of this, it is essential to have a skilled and experienced LASIK surgeon such as Dr. Updegraff perform a thorough examination, which will determine whether or not you are a LASIK candidate. Most of the complications seen today with LASIK occur when it is performed on someone who was not well-suited to the procedure.

LASIK technology has also improved dramatically over the last decade, with advancements that have made the procedure even safer and more accurate. Comparing the LASIK results of someone who had it done 10 years ago to the patient who has it done today is like comparing dial-up internet to high-speed wireless. With advent of blade-free, all-laser LASIK, Wavefront-Guided Treatments, and Iris Recognition, many of the side effects and complications of the past are drastically reduced or eliminated.

It’s also critical to have an experienced and knowledgeable surgeon perform your LASIK surgery. Because Dr. Updegraff has been performing LASIK longer than most surgeons in the U.S., he has seen and treated every complication imaginable – in fact, he has developed a reputation for helping patients from all over the world who have had difficulties after receiving LASIK from another surgeon. Sadly, the majority of these could have been prevented by early diagnosis and intervention that was not provided. It is important to realize that doctors can take a weekend course and then begin doing LASIK – they hardly have the training to diagnose and manage complications. With Dr. Updegraff, you know you’re in capable hands.

Scientific military studies have been performed on LASIK’s safety, and they document that even astronauts, Navy SEALS, and pilots have had the procedure. Dr. Updegraff has operated on thousands of patients with extremely high demands on their vision, from SWAT snipers to professional athletes. From the beginning of his practice, Dr. Updegraff has emphasized the need for stringent screening, attention to detail, and the highest level of surgical skill to minimize potential risks to patients having LASIK.

Ultimately, it’s important to be informed of every eventuality and possible side effect of any surgery. Even though LASIK is performed with a machine, its results will only be as good as the surgeon operating it – that’s why it’s crucial that you choose your LASIK surgeon carefully.