A Closer Look At LASIK Success Rates (NAPS)—Oneof the most common questions surgeons are asked about LASIK is: Whatis the success rate? ‘The answeris impressive as outcomes of LASIK surgery—measured by vision and patient satisfaction—are better than ever. In fact, LASIK has one ofthe high- est satisfaction rates on record for any kind of elective surgery—more than 96 percent. But there is only one LASIK success Talk with your LASIK surgeon to help define your ownvision goals. American Refractive Surgery Council or climb or run or swim or surf without worrying about losing your glasses, or having problems with your contacts be- measure that matters—does it give you the outcomethat is right for you? The (www.americanrefractivesurgerycoun ciLorg/blog) recommendsdefining what success lookslike as an important step in decidingif a laser vision correction procedure is a good option. Asking yourself some questions can help. For instance, are you a police officer, firefighter, EMT or other first respond- er? Then for you, LASIK success might meanbeingable to do your job in tough conditions—like fires or arrests—without your eyeglasses or contact lenses getting in the way. Those in the military may define LASIK successasthe ability to serve and see in harsh environments. Or it might be the ability to do a job—like flying a combat airplane—where havingthe best eyesight possible could be a matteroflife and death. Maybe you're an athlete who needs the precision of LASIK to spot the spin on a baseball or tennisball. Or a photographeror artist who needsto see clearly. Or you're an active, outdoor person who wants the freedom of being able to hike cause of sand, dirt, water,grit orglare. Or maybe you're just an average person who wants to have great eyesight and not have to deal with the hassle of cleaning your contacts or groping on the nightstand for your glasses at night. ‘The question you should ask yourself is “How do I see myself benefiting from LASIK? What's my definition of success with LASIK?” And the answer, of course, depends on what you want LASIK to do for you. Ask yourself what you hope to get out of LASIK. Why does great eyesight matter to you? And how are your glass- es or contacts getting in your way? How do they keep you from livinglife the way you want? Then sit down with a LASIK surgeon,talk about your goals, and find out whether you're a good candidate for laser vision correction surgery. You'll be well on the way to your own LASIKsuccess.
