Is LASIK Surgery FDA-Approved?

LASIK surgery and other laser vision services offered by your eye surgeon are safe, effective, and FDA-approved. Your eye surgeon would not recommend that you undergo any eye surgery procedure that was not FDA-approved. LASIK is an effective and low-risk eye surgery that permanently reshapes your cornea in order to correct your vision. There are few side effects associated with LASIK and are mild and temporary. As with any eye surgery, there are some risks of complications, but they are rare.

When Was LASIK Eye Surgery Approved by the FDA?

LASIK eye surgery was approved by the FDA in March 2009. Prior to that, the FDA conducted a study with the National Eye Institute and the Department of Defense on the impact on quality of life from LASIK eye surgery.

What Role Does the FDA Play in LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, your eye surgeon is required to complete a patient information card that contains your eye measurements before LASIK surgery. The FDA works closely with the American Academy of Ophthalmology to monitor the safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery and ensure it continues to remain safe, effective, and reliable for all patients. The FDA also regulates the quality of the information available to the public regarding LASIK and other vision-correcting eye surgeries. The FDA requires that eye care specialists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and eye surgeons provide complete information to their patients about the indications, limitations, and risks associated with LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK Eye Surgery Is Safe, Effective, and Reliable

Thanks in part to vigilance by the FDA and collaboration among eye surgeons, LASIK eye surgery continues to remain safe, effective, and reliable. While some patients have mild, temporary side effects after LASIK, most patients experience no discomfort or ill effects. The most common side effects after LASIK eye surgery are dryness, itchiness, scratchiness, temporary vision fluctuation, glares or halos, difficulty with night vision, or light sensitivity. These side effects often go away within hours of LASIK eye surgery being completed.

Comprehensive LASIK Procedures Near You!

If you have questions about whether LASIK eye surgery or laser vision correction is right for you, come see us at Panorama LASIK. We can perform an eye exam, take your medical history, and determine if you are a candidate for vision correction eye surgery. To learn more about the safety and benefits of LASIK, call us today or request your free consultation.