Why Does The US Military Trust LASIK?
For a lot of people, having LASIK means seeing well without requiring or depending on glasses and contacts. We see a lot of personnel from the U.S. military enquire and receive eye laser treatments especially LASIK in Los Angeles. The U.S. trusts LASIK eye center in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute for many laser vision correction procedures.
The military receives laser treatments because service members require exceptional vision for operational success and safety. Although a civilian can appreciate, enjoy, and probably needs perfect vision, for military personnel in combat situations or when landing a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier, excellent vision can mean life or death.
Some service members have to tolerant harsh environments that have dust, sand, dust, smoke, and flying debris. These conditions make corrective lenses, whether they are glasses or contact lenses, counterproductive and even unsafe.
Because of this, the U.S. Department of Defense carried out its own research into the growth of laser vision correction procedures, such as LASIK, to assist their personnel in attaining the outstanding vision required to perform their duties no matter where they have to serve.
Studies On LASIK Surgery For The Military
Eye surgeons performing LASIK in Los Angeles have read some studies that analyzed the military’s readiness of 360 active duty service members before and after eye laser correction surgery.
The study assessed factors, such as, “weapons sighting ability” and “ability to function at night.” In all instances, performance indicators enhanced after surgery. The following is what data revealed after laser vision correction surgery:
- Fifty percent of the study’s participants got better performance scores on “overall individual readiness”
- Eighty-six percent improved their scores concerning the “ability to utilize night vision goggles”
- Forty-one percent claim that they had a better ability to contribute to the unit’s mission
- Over ninety-eight percent of the study’s participants said they would have the surgery again.
- Further study revealed that pilots landing on aircraft carriers at night saw better with less glare than they did with glasses.
Nowadays, the U.S. military is one group that highly requests laser vision correction procedures like LASIK in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration partnered with the Department of Defense in the first division of the Patient-Reported Outcomes with LASIK, or PROWL study to scientifically certify a questionnaire that provides patients an accurate and complete method to report their experience with LASIK to researchers. Most importantly, the military division of the PROWL study reported a very successful satisfaction rate with LASIK, around ninety-eight percent.
Similar to military personnel, a majority of emergency responders such as police officers and firefighter are requesting laser vision correction, for instance, LASIK eye surgery. They are asking for laser eye surgery because they want to perform their jobs more safely and effectively. Even though normal civilians may not have the same requirements to protect and serve their communities, if you are considering laser vision correction, check out the commonly asked question about LASIK eye surgery down below.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK is an abbreviation for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). It is an innovative technology that reshapes the cornea to reduce and even eliminate the visual irregularities that result in nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and/or astigmatism.
The LASIK procedure helps light to enter the patient’s eye so they can properly focus onto the retina for clearer vision. Many patients have reported that they see better after a LASIK procedure than with their glasses or contacts.
Typically, LASIK surgery is pain-free and only takes about 15 minutes for both eyes. As a result, the eyesight is improved without the dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. As soon as the procedure is complete, the vision is noticeably improved and will stabilize over the next few days. If your eye surgeon feels that you are not a good LASIK candidate, there are other vision correction surgeries, such as PRK and LASEK eye surgery.
Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
If you want to do LASIK surgery, but are afraid to, you shouldn’t be. LASIK is a very safe and effective vision correction option. As a matter of fact, contact lens wearers will probably freak out when they find out that LASIK is safer than contact lenses. Some clinical data has revealed that the risk of vision loss because of infection is a lot higher with contact lenses than LASIK.
Over 19 million LASIK procedures have been carried out in the United States alone with immense patient satisfaction in visual results. The successful rate of patient satisfaction, which is over ninety-six percent based on recent clinical data, is because of the extremely low risk of complications from the surgery. According to research into the clinical experience with LASIK, the ratio of complications from LASIK eye surgery is about less than one percent, which makes LASIK the safest elective surgical procedures available.
Here are a few more facts from studies that patients find comfort in when considering LASIK surgery.
From 1993 to 2005, over 9,000 patients have participated in FDA clinical trials testing LASIK safety and outcomes.
Ever since then, a massive quantity of clinical research into LASIK has been implemented. Currently, more than 7,000 peer-reviewed published studies have confirmed that LASIK is not only effective but also safe. Also, they have delved into the important aspects of LASIK.
This broad scientific evidence includes studies that help improve what makes a patient a suitable or unsuitable candidate for a LASIK procedure and techniques and technologies that can lessen the possibility for side effects such as dry eye, glare, and halos.
What Type Of Surgeon Is Good For Me?
Obviously, a surgeon who is highly qualified such as Dr. Moosa at Excel laser Vision, who has over 25 years of experience in performing eye laser treatments such as all-laser LASIK, SMILE, PRK, Contoura-Topo guided LASIK and wavefront-optimized all-laser LASIK.
LASIK is the most popular laser vision correction surgery for the military, and even civilians can benefit from the safe and effective results LASIK surgery can provide. If you want further information about LASIK eye surgery, give Excel Laser Vision Institute a call at +1-866-923-9235 today.
The High Success Rate of LASIK
Surgeons performing LASIK in Los Angeles always say the number one question that patients have is about the success rate. That is completely understandable. Nobody wants to go through the hassle and financial burden of eye surgery if it does not give them the results they are expecting.
Recent research claims that ninety-nine percent of patients achieve better than 20/40 vision and more than ninety percent of patients achieve 20/20 or better. Furthermore, LASIK has an extraordinary 96 percent satisfaction rate at the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles such as Excel Laser Vision Institute, which is the highest of any elective procedure.
If you are considering a vision correction procedure, understanding the LASIK success rate is a critical component of your research as well as getting to know what these standards signify for your own vision goals.
Figuring Out The LASIK Success Rate
So, let us answer the most common question asked about LASIK in Los Angeles: What is the LASIK success rate? LASIK results depend on several factors, such as visual acuity, and the patient’s general satisfaction.
What Is Visual Acuity?
This refers to the sharpness of your vision. It is a fixed measurement that is normally taken in a doctor’s office while you are sitting motionless. Many consider 20/20 vision, which is the ability to read the eye chart at 20 feet, to be “normal”. Nevertheless, if you managed to score 20/20 vision on your visual acuity exam, it does not necessarily mean a high quality of vision for everyone.
There have been instances where some people define the quality of vision to be levels of clarity, contrast sensitivity, reaction time and other factors.
Researchers have examined LASIK patient satisfaction including how pleased patients are with their vision and how it has affected their quality of life. When mentioning the LASIK success rate, it is also vital to understand possible risks and complications.
When we refer to the LASIK success rate at the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute, these are the only measurements that count: Does it achieve your vision goals? Does the LASIK surgery give you what you want? Do you find that your lifestyle and career have improved because of it?
Understand What Matters
Research on patient satisfaction after surgery reveals that the most important factors are whether the surgery meets the patient’s expectations. To find your personal LASIK success rate, you have to honestly ask yourself what you anticipate out of your laser vision correction surgery. So, ask yourself the following questions:
- Why are you expecting to achieve after LASIK?
- How do you think LASIK surgery will improve your life?
If you are feeling overwhelmed, just sit yourself down and jot down a few of your expectations. This will come in handy for you and your surgeon performing LASIK in Los Angeles to figure out the best course of action for you.
Many people have heard a lot of positive things about LASIK and expect it to improve their lives. However, they usually don’t take a long, comprehensive look at what that signifies – what LASIK can help them do, or do better, or enjoy more. Understanding your personal vision goals helps to define your LASIK success. Additionally, it helps out your eye surgeon immensely since he or she can understand why you want LASIK, and how to guide you through your LASIK experience and set the proper expectations.
Do You Know Why You Want LASIK?
Different people have different reasons for wanting good or even excellent vision. If you have vision problems, there are several reasons to think about LASIK.
For some, LASIK success might mean getting rid of their glasses. Perfect vision could also be important for your current job, or the one you are dreaming of.
When you initially think about success, you think about your career. Therefore, it is not a surprise that people turn to LASIK to do better at their jobs, or land their dream jobs.
For instance, if you are a police officer, firefighter, EMT or another first responder, you will need excellent eyesight. Also, those jobs mean working in the toughest of conditions, and often times it is impossible to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Police who are in pursuit might enter dangerous circumstances and requiring your vision to be at the highest level. You could be putting yourself at great risk. What about a firefighter that has to endure the smoke, water, and steam? If that sounds like you, LASIK success could mean being able to do your job in tough conditions such as fires and arrests, without the hassle of eyeglasses or contact lenses getting in the way.
Pilots who are in military combat and supporting roles, in airlines and overall aviation, need the best eyesight possible since it is a matter of life and death.
As a matter of fact, the Navy and Air Force were the first adaptors of LASIK to make certain the pilots with the best overall qualifications were not excluded because of their vision issues. How would you measure your LASIK success as a pilot? By the ability to do your job and make your passion for flying a reality.
You don’t have to have a heroic profession to consider LASIK. Even photographers are interested in sharpening their vision since it will make it easier for them to use their cameras, and produce better images.
If you have a major life event happening such as graduating from college, getting married, starting a family (running after small children with glasses on isn’t easy) or you are going on a new adventure, LASIK is for you!
Get in touch with one of our eye surgeons for more information on our LASIK treatments. Call Excel Laser Vision Institute at (866) 923-9235 today to change the way you see life!