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Laser Eye Surgery Safety – Facts & Figures

The most important factor with any surgical procedure is safety. Each time a person decides to undergo laser surgery, they are putting their vision literally in the hands of the surgeon. 

That is why all the laser surgeons featured on our website are leading specialists with years of experience. 

Thankfully, laser eye surgery is a very safe procedure, so we thought it would be a great idea to put together some accurate facts and figures on laser surgery safety, and dispel any of the myths surrounding this technique!

Laser History 

Originating in the 1990’s, laser surgery has quickly become a popular method to restore a better standard of vision. Millions of people worldwide have undergone the procedure, which has a number of benefits over traditional glasses or contact lenses:

  • It is more aesthetically pleasing.
  • No daily maintenance is required.
  • People can exercise without being visually restricted.
  • There is a reduced risk of eye infections compared to contact lenses.

It is important to note that laser surgery itself is classed as a cosmetic procedure, and as such faces less regulation and scrutiny than other medical techniques. 

That is why choosing a quality clinic is extremely important. 

As laser surgery is a corneal operation, it is sensible to use an experienced surgeon with an excellent knowledge of corneal issues.

Seek out surgeons who are fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists or the Royal College of Surgeons.

Two world-leading, elite professional bodies!

The Laser Procedure 

Over the years, laser surgery technology has progressed to become a refined science, with the LASIK technique now the gold standard for the industry. Done correctly, the entire treatment can take less than 10 minutes to perform.

Nowadays, completely blade-free surgery is the norm, and can be achieved by using the Intralase  and Excimer lasers:

Here is what to expect on the day of surgery:

  • Eye-drops are used to numb the eye.
  • Tiny pulses of light from the Intralase laser are used to create a flap in the cornea.
  • This flap is then lifted to allow the cornea to be treated directly.
  • The Excimer laser is used to accurately remove microscopic tissue and reshape the cornea.
  • The flap is then put back into place and a temporary contact lens affixed while the eye heals.

By using both of these advanced lasers, quicker treatments and faster recovery times have resulted.

LASIK Safety Facts

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty…

Just what does the science say about laser surgery safety?

One study looked at complications that had arisen from 1000 cases of laser surgery. All patients were treated with the Intralase laser.

The results were positive. 

No serious surgical complications were found in any of the patients treated, and the researchers also concluded that using the Intralase laser meant surgeons could accurately predict the correct eye flap thickness required.

In 2009, a world literature review of LASIK studies was launched. This major investigation analysed data from thousands of laser operations on patients from many different countries. Academics discovered that the overall patient satisfaction rate was 95.4% –  pretty good when you consider that clinics of all different standards were included.

Do The Results Last?

This is an important point to discuss. Laser surgery is a permanent fix when it is performed by qualified, experienced surgeons. Luckily, most clinics in the UK have good quality medical teams, so surgery failure is not a major issue.

However, by choosing to go abroad in order to save money, you could be increasing the risk of an inexperienced surgeon and an unsatisfactory outcome.

Science has also looked into the long-term effectiveness of laser procedures.

A 7 year follow-up of patients found that vision improvement was maintained, with 100% achieving at least 20/40 vision, and 94.2% gaining 20/20 eyesight.

Laser Eye Surgery Safety Conclusion

Science suggests that laser eye surgery is an extremely safe procedure, with a very high patient satisfaction rate. 

However, there is one caveat.

The best outcomes are achieved at the best clinics – in effect, you pay for what you get. Therefore, the most sensible way to protect your health is by choosing an elite surgeon.

Of course, you may go elsewhere and everything may turn out just fine. In general though, as the price slips, so does the level of expertise and aftercare.

Be careful not to play roulette with your eyesight. 

The Reasons Why LASIK Eye Surgery Is Booming

According to statistics released by the American Refractive Surgery Council, the popularity of laser eye surgery is surging – the number of procedures in the US alone was over 833,000 in 2021. This represents a 32% increase over 2020!

In this article, we examine why people are turning to laser procedures in ever increasing numbers.

Safety Standards

Having now been an established medical procedure for close to 30 years, laser eye surgery has numerous scientific studies that demonstrate its effectiveness and safety. This undoubtedly gives prospective patients more confidence when considering their vision correction options.

A new analysis looked at 97 high-quality studies that when combined represented 67,893 laser procedures. 

They found that results were highly positive in terms of both safety and patient satisfaction.

  • Patient satisfaction rates of up to 98%. 
  • Almost 100% of patients achieving 20/40 vision, with more than 90% achieving 20/20 vision. 

In addition, separate research by the FDA reveals excellent feedback regarding dry eyes, which can sometimes be a side effect of laser eye surgery. They found that 59% of patients with dry eye symptoms before surgery, reported having NO SYMPTOMS 3-months after LASIK!

Technological Advances

Recent years have seen the increasing adoption of femtosecond laser technology to create a truly bladeless laser procedure. This change has also improved the speed of surgery to just a few minutes for each eye.

In terms of LASIK, the cornea is reshaped to enable light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina. This is a two-step process:

  • A thin circular flap is made in the cornea. This is performed using either a microkeratome or femtosecond laser. The flap is then gently lifted to reveal the surface where vision correction treatment can take place.
  • An excimer laser removes tissue which is creating the vision problems. The flap is then laid back in place to naturally heal. 

Most patients notice vision improvement quickly – usually within a few hours after surgery. 

Previously, some clinics used a blade to create the corneal flap, but the increasing use of lasers in both steps of the LASIK procedure is perhaps another reason why patient numbers are rising.

Quality Surgery In The UK

When looking for a laser eye surgery provider here in the UK, it is important to seek out a clinic that utilises the latest technologies AND has a great safety record.

For a LASIK procedure, look for a clinic that offers wavefront LASIK, as this technology ensures a higher degree of precision during the operation. A comprehensive consultation including eye checks and health checks is also important to make sure that you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery. 

Some level of aftercare should be provided. The surgeon can then quickly attend to any surgery side-effects should they arise. 

Laser Eye Surgery for Astigmatism – A Brief History

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that is caused by the eye not focusing light evenly on to the retina. For normal vision to occur, the eye should be shaped like a ball – however with astigmatism it is shaped like a cone. This results in vision gradually deteriorating and becoming blurry.

Nowadays, laser eye surgery is a common treatment for astigmatism, but it hasn’t always been that way. Our article today discusses the history of astigmatism, how it is diagnosed, and the range of treatment options (including laser) that are available.

The Discovery Of Astigmatism

In 1793, Thomas Young discovered the phenomenon of astigmatism while having problems with his own eyes. After much self-study and research, he presented his thoughts and theories in a ground-breaking lecture in 1801.

Meanwhile, George Biddell Airy was independently investigating the condition, and in 1825 was the first person to produce lenses that corrected astigmatism.

Although both of these men share credit for the initial recognition of the condition, the actual term ‘astigmatism’ was invented by William Whewell – a prominent English scientist and philosopher at the time.

How Is Astigmatism Caused?

The causes of astigmatism are still not known, although some research suggests that genetics have a prominent role in its development. Astigmatism is often present at birth, but it may also develop later in life as a result of an accident or injury to the eye. 

The disease is commonly accompanied by either short-sightedness or long-sightedness. In each case, there is medical terminology that describes the condition:

  • Myopic astigmatism – the combination of short-sightedness and astigmatism.
  • Hyperopic astigmatism – when long-sightedness and astigmatism occur simultaneously.

Contrary to some popular beliefs, astigmatism cannot be caused by squinting or reading in low light.

Diagnosis & Treatment

An eye examination is used to diagnose astigmatism, and the condition is easily corrected in its early stages by wearing spectacles or contact lenses – each treatment adjusts the angle at which light enters the eyes. 

Orthokeratology is a modern procedure that can also be used. It is a painless treatment that gradually reshapes the curvature of the cornea. This is achieved by patients wearing a series of specially designed lenses over a specified duration of time. However, the results are not permanent – the lenses mould the cornea while sleeping. By the end of the day, the cornea has already started to revert to its original shape. 

Laser surgery is now becoming the treatment of choice as it can quickly and effectively correct many degrees of astigmatism. The laser is used to burn away tiny amounts of eye tissue to help reshape the cornea and normalise eyesight. As a rule of thumb, 85% of glasses and hard lens wearers, and 95% of soft lens users are suitable for astigmatism correction using laser. 

It’s also important to note that by choosing to undergo laser eye surgery for astigmatism, the risk of infection is minimal. Wearing contact lenses gives a much higher risk for eye infections to occur. 

Many of the clinics on our site have surgeons specialising in using lasers to correct astigmatism. We recommend sending an enquiry to a clinic near you for further details on prices and services offered. 

The Complications of Wearing Contact Lenses

Since contact lenses first became popular, they have helped to improve the vision of people all around the globe. There are now over 3 million contact lenses wearers in the UK, and there is no doubt they are an important tool that can rectify vision problems. 

However, as the years progress so do technological advances, and nowadays other treatments may have a better safety profile than contact lenses. 

In this article, we discuss the complications that may occur with long-term contact lens use, and the alternatives you can choose. 

Eye Damage

Although contact lenses correct poor eyesight, it has long been known that they also promote damage to the eyes. They cause corneal degeneration, which after decades of daily use may well increase the chances of corneal disease. 

In addition, it has been shown that lenses can compromise the eyes natural barrier to infection, making bacterial and fungal growth more likely. Unfortunately, the problems don’t stop there – extended wear contact lenses are associated with an increase in the incidence of corneal ulcers – which have the potential to lead to permanent blindness. 

Another contact lens complication is that they interrupt the performance of the meibomian gland, which oils and lubricates the eye area. This dysfunction means that dry eye syndrome is a frequent side-effect of wearing contact lenses.

Patient Satisfaction

When compared with spectacles, contact lenses may be more beauty-friendly, but many individuals struggle to tolerate their use. 51% of people who discontinued contact lens wear said that discomfort was the main problem, while 40% said their eyes became too dry when using them on a long-term basis.

A study of current contact lens users discovered that half of all people surveyed had experienced at least one complication from wearing them. These problems included:

  • Eye infections
  • Dry eyes
  • Visual difficulties
  • Inflammation of the eye area

Patients also often struggle with the high level of maintenance that is required. Busy lives can lead to a cycle of poor lens hygiene, or even falling asleep while still wearing the lenses. These situations are both major risk factors for the development of the infection microbial keratitis.

The Main Alternative

While considering the advantages and disadvantages of using contact lenses, it is essential to take a look at the alternative treatments that are available. Obviously, glasses remain one option, yet in our image-conscious society, people tend to search for another solution.

Laser eye surgery is the most realistic alternative.

It is a hassle-free option, and a one time procedure – there are no daily maintenance issues and no ongoing care is required! Over the past 20 years, laser has been proven to be a safe and effective procedure. 98.5% of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of their surgery, with serious complication rates below 1% at the leading clinics. 

It is common for around 98% of laser patients to achieve 20/20 eyesight following surgery, which is why an increasing number of contact lens wearers are choosing it to permanently correct their visual issues. 

Are you tired of itchy eyes and other contact lens complications? It’s easy to make an enquiry for a laser eye surgery consultation by using our website. 

6 Questions to Ask a Laser Eye Surgeon

When you attend a laser eye surgery consultation, it is important to use the time wisely. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the procedure and also the surgeon!

Any experienced doctor will respect this and should be happy to answer your queries – their responses will help you to determine whether or not to proceed with surgery at the clinic.

Here are 6 essential questions to ask…

1. Are you on the General Medical Council’s Register?

The only legal requirement for doctors performing laser eye surgery is that they are registered with the General Medical Council. All registered doctors are issued with a certificate and should have no problem showing it to you.

If the surgeon is evasive, you can check if they are registered to perform laser eye surgery by searching online.

2. Are you a member of the Royal College of Surgeons/Ophthalmologists or equivalent?

The RCOphth runs an examination in laser refractive surgery. If you see the phrase ‘CertLRS’after their name, it means the surgeon has achieved ‘The Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery’ and is subject to an annual appraisal as part of the revalidation process. By holding this certificate, you can be sure that the surgeon is competent and has ample experience.

The certificate is not compulsory but surgeons are encouraged to take the examination to assure members of the public about their surgical competence.

3. How long have you been performing the procedure?

Most patients tend to choose doctors that have a lot of experience – after all, we only have one pair of eyes! We would suggest 2 or 3 years as a minimum and preferably a surgeon with vast experience.

A surgeon’s expertise is very important in order to screen patients properly.

4. What is your success rate for for my eye prescription?

Every patient is different and the surgeon should be suitably experienced to deliver personalised care to each person.

It is important to remember that not all surgeons and all lasers can treat all prescriptions, so ask the doctor how much experience they have with your prescription – ideally, you want a surgeon that has a high success rate.

5. Do you use state of the art technology?

Any quality surgeon should not be relying on dated surgical technology, as it is more likely to contribute to a poor result. Some clinics use lasers that have not been updated for several years – leading clinics should use only the safest and most advanced technology to provide outstanding results.

Don’t fall for any marketing gimmicks which state outrageous claims with little evidence to back them up. All quality surgeons will be able to demonstrate impressive long-term results using lasers from recognised medical equipment manufacturers.

6. What aftercare do you provide?

One of the easiest ways to spot a sub-standard surgeon or clinic is to ask them about their aftercare provision. Anything less than 3 months of aftercare is a red flag! Also ask about the access you will have to the surgeon during the aftercare period.

Aftercare can be as important as the surgery itself – you need to be confident that your doctor is there for you if complications arise.