Long term effects of Laser Eye Surgery

There’s no getting around the fact that Laser Eye Surgery is a pretty young procedure, with the first formal treatments being carried out around twenty-five years ago.

So even though it rapidly exploded in popularity and over thirty million people have already received the treatment, no one has lived over a quarter of a decade with the results.

This creates a bit of a sore point in the talk about the long terms effects of Laser Eye Surgery. Sure, experts can reference study after study that prove its safety and effectiveness over decades, if not centuries, and draw from the endless computer-generated models that show changes to the cornea are 100 percent permanent, but, at least for now, they’re unable to show us physical proof in even one real, living person.

But this doesn’t worry me. And it’s most likely because I’ve heard it from someone like Prof Dan Reinstein — a world-leading laser eye surgeon who’s dedicated his life to the field.

When a doctor with way too many credentials to mention — including over a handful of postgraduate qualifications and hundreds of published scientific papers — assures you of the long-term effects of Laser Eye Surgery, you believe what they say.

A world renowned expert on the long-term effects of Laser Eye Surgery

Prof Dan Reinstein on the long-term results of Laser Eye Surgery.

In the video above, Prof Reinstein is being pretty modest with what he says; the reality is that today only an incredibly minute percentage of patients need an enhancement procedure after having Laser Eye Surgery.

And to put the chances of developing complications or long-term side effects into context, it’s much more likely you’ll encounter problems with contact lenses than Laser Eye Surgery.

A large part of this comes down to a thorough assessment process, which, at London Vision Clinic, involves screening patients based on over ninety-five different measurements and tests. This ensures the procedure is only carried out on suitable candidates. But even with such stringent criteria, well over ninety percent of patients are still suitable for treatment.

Contact lenses, on the other hand, simply cannot be tolerated by a large proportion of people. And you don’t necessarily have to be sensitive or have a pre-existing condition to be affected by them. It’s widely recognised by organisations like the FDA that long-term contact lens use puts the wearer at high risk of infection.

So Prof Reinstein’s words are comforting to hear, but maybe the most reassuring thing of all is that every day Laser Eye Surgery expertise and technology continues to develop and evolve to reach ever greater heights.

Today, in 2017, Laser Eye Surgery outcomes are at an all time high, and risks and complications have never been lower — at least among clinics who’ve made it their mission to provide the best care and keep up to date with the latest advancements.

So, although we’ll have to wait another few years before seeing the first people to live a lifetime with the results of Laser Eye Surgery, there’s no sense in waiting around for it to happen.

The reality is the treatment is permanent and the results last longer than anyone could ever need. And the sooner any doubts or concerns about this fact are out the way, the longer you have to enjoy the benefits for yourself.

Contact one of our clinic coordinators to find out more about the long-term effects of Laser Eye Surgery or book your consultation today.