How Common Are LASIK Complications?
Public confidence in LASIK has grown in recent years because of a solid success rate involving millions of successful procedures performed in the United States. With increasingly sophisticated technology being used for the procedure, most LASIK outcomes these days are very favorable. The U.S. military also has adopted widespread use of refractive surgery including LASIK to decrease reliance of troops on corrective eyewear. This trend is particularly relevant because troops deployed for active duty are not allowed to wear contact lenses. As of 2008, more than 224,000 military personnel had undergone laser vision correction. Since the procedure first was introduced in the military in 2000, researchers have conducted more than 45 studies regarding safety and effectiveness of LASIK and other procedures. Outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive. Most soldiers see 20/20 or better after the procedure without corrective eyewear, and the rate of complications has been very low. According to o
