As we’ve mentioned here before, LASIK has become a household word to anyone relying on glasses or contact lenses for everyday things. There’s no shortage of info out there, and much of it can be confusing, or written like an owner’s manual. At Eye Consultants of Texas, we cover the bases in educating our Dallas/Fort Worth LASIK patients, and try to do this as simply as possible. With that in mind, this is the first in a series of blogs we’ll be posting to highlight the basics of LASIK, in hopes of putting LASIK medical-speak more into simple-speak.

First Things First. LASIK is a simple, painless procedure that can be performed quicker and safer than ever before, mostly thanks to technological advancements. LASIK is also surgery on your eyes, so you owe it to yourself to understand the benefits, risks, and everything else about it. And to choose a skilled doctor who’s on your side.

How Long Has LASIK Been Around? A question to this that often follows is, “how many LASIK procedures have been performed?” To answer this objectively, we’ll go to a reputable source. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), LASIK was first FDA-approved in 1998. Since then, the AAO estimates that nearly 10 million procedures have been performed in the U.S. (an average of 700,000 each year). Worldwide, this number is double by some estimates you might find.

Why Would Someone Get LASIK? People who have LASIK performed are usually those that have to rely on glasses or contact lenses for everyday activities. Sometimes they opt for LASIK so they can see better and look better, or simply because they’re tired of having to wear glasses all the time. Sometimes LASIK may be the best solution if corrective eyewear is no longer doing the trick. Whatever the reason, it’s important that your vision health and overall health checks out, that you’re fully informed, and that you’re over 18 years of age. In other words, you have to be a candidate for LASIK to have it done. If for any reason you’re not, there are other options your doctor can tell you about.

Look for more in our next Simplifying LASIK Basics blog coming soon. Meanwhile, if you’d like to know more about LASIK at Eye Consultants of Texas, please call our office in Grapevine at 877-516-4364, conveniently located to Dallas/Fort Worth.

This blog is a general overview of LASIK surgery for general informational purposes only, and in no way intended as actual medical advice. Always seek a medical or eye care professional for advisement based on your individual health and eye care needs.