Most of the half-million Americans who underwent laser eye surgery in 1999 had the same reaction: unabashed joy. And why not? Not only is it effective, but the most popular procedure—laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, otherwise known as LASIK—is a drive-through operation. The entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes. A surgeon removes a thin, hinged flap of tissue on the surface of the eye and reshapes the underlying cornea with a laser, then lays the hinged flap back on the eye, where it reattaches without the need for stitches. “About 80 or 90 percent of patients will be totally free of glasses for distance, and about 10 percent will be free except for night driving glasses,” says ophthalmologist Robert K. Maloney, director of the Maloney Vision Institute in Los Angeles.But LASIK isn’t foolproof. Complications occur in about 50 of every 1,000 cases. If the surgery isn’t done correctly—if the cornea is sculpted too much or too little, if the flap is not removed and replaced just right—the result can be seeing halos around lights (which is normal for up to a few weeks), fluctuating vision (eyesight that is better in the morning than in the afternoon), dryness, and sensitivity to glare. So is laser surgery safe? Most ophthalmologists say yes. Any problems, they say, occur because of inadequately trained doctors and poorly selected patients. But problems may increase as the surgery becomes more popular. Some ophthalmologists worry that their less competent colleagues, eager for profits, will turn LASIK into fast-food surgery: cheap, sloppy, and unhealthy. While consumers would certainly welcome a reduction in price—LASIK typically costs $5,000 including follow-up care—low prices could also mean poor quality.To minimize the risks, find a qualified, board-certified surgeon who specializes in refractive surgery. One source of referral is the American Academy of Ophthalmolog...
