Over the last two decades, millions of people have had laser eye surgery to correct their vision. Research shows that these people, despite short-term results and news on nervousness of recent patients, should be assured of the good long-term results of Lasik laser eye surgery.
Andrew Caster MD, lead ophthalmologist of the Caster Eye Center in Los Angeles, has participated in much research on LASIK technology and its long-term results. One of the largest and longest follow-ups ever of patients who had LASIK for vision correction showed a very low rate of complications and a high rate of long-term satisfaction with the procedure.
Patients who had LASIK for low, moderate, or severe nearsightedness were followed for 10 years by researchers from Spain's Miguel Hernandez University Medical School.
Colleagues like Andrew Caster MD reported similar results to that of Jorge L. Alio, MD, who concluded that only 20% of patients with low to moderate nearsightedness needed retreatment over the 10 year-year period.
LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) is the most common laser surgery for correcting nearsightedness, known medically as myopia. Sometimes called "flap and zap surgery," surgeons performing LASIK first cut a small flap in the cornea and then reshape tissue exposed by the flap to correct vision. Andrew Caster MD has himself performed over 30,000 laser vision correction procedures.
Research found that while some complications may have occurred – though rare – with study participants, most happened within days or weeks after surgery, not years later. The research appears in the January 2008 issue of theAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Andrew Caster and others in his field find this research very reassuring, as well as proof that LASIK is a safe and effective procedure in the long term.
Dr. Andrew Caster has been honored by several councils and publications for his research and presentations on LASIK technology. He is certified by the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance, member of Alcon Refractive Surgery Clinical Advisory Board, Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and author of The Eye Laser Miracle; The Complete Guide to Better Vision, published by Ballantine/Random House. This is the most widely read book in America on Lasik laser vision correction and is now in its fifth edition. For more information on Los Angeles LASIK laser eye surgery and Dr. Andrew Caster visit .
