By now, just about everyone has heard of LASIK surgery. A less than 20-minute procedure to correct refractive errors and eliminate the need for glasses or contacts? It almost sounds too good to be true!
Many people are hesitant to even learn more about laser eye surgery, either by attending a free LASIK seminar or a LASIK consultation, thinking there must be some hidden catch. A three-year-long study recently found that contact lens users who chose to have LASIK were more satisfied with their vision a year after the procedure, and even more satisfied in the following years.
According to the study — Three-Year Longitudinal Survey Comparing Visual Satisfaction with LASIK and Contact Lenses — former contact lens users after LASIK surgery reported higher satisfaction rates than a control group that continued to wear contacts and did not undergo LASIK surgery. In follow-up surveys conducted two and three years after the procedure, LASIK satisfaction rates were consistently high, while contact lens satisfaction rates were steadily declining.
Key takeaways from the study include:
- LASIK satisfaction remained consistently higher with time. 88 percent of former contact lens users and 77 percent of former glasses wearers reported being strongly satisfied with LASIK three years post procedure.
- LASIK significantly reduced night driving difficulties among former contact lens wearers.
- LASIK had a better long-term safety profile. Those who had LASIK had lowered instances of eye infections, abrasions, and corneal ulcers than those participants who did not undergo LASIK.
- Contact lens satisfaction declined with time.
The study is among the first of its kind to focus on findings from patient-reported data to provide insight into patient perceptions of outcomes from a medical procedure.
Today, LASIK is the most popular elective procedure, with more than 28 million LASIK procedures performed worldwide. Illinois Eye Center is a leading provider of LASIK surgery in Peoria, IL. We provide our patients with the most advanced form of blade-free LASIK treatment currently available with the WaveLight® Refractive Suite.
Learn more about LASIK eye surgery at Illinois Eye Center by visiting our website today. Receive $750 off the cost of the LASIK procedure when you complete a free consultation at Illinois Eye Center by December 31, 2016.
Choosing the right eye LASIK surgery center is the first and most important decision you will make during your LASIK journey. It’s important to make sure you feel comfortable with not only your LASIK doctor, but also the LASIK center overall.
Contact Illinois Eye Center at (309) 243-2400 or visit our website for more information on how your life can be improved through LASIK.