An estimated 1.5 million people had laser eye surgery to correct their vision last year, a procedure that's often not covered by insurance.
Consumer Reports says the expense, along with the fact that you're dealing with precious eyesight, makes this a very important decision.
The surgery itself is fairly simple. A laser is used to reshape the cornea, often reducing the need for glasses and contacts. A
Consumer Reports Health survey of 793 adult Americans who've had laser eye surgery since 2001 shows 80 percent reported being "highly satisfied" with the results.
But 53 percent of respondents experienced at least one side effect, such as halos, light sensitivity, or blurry vision. And 22 percent still had problems six months
after the surgery.
While every surgery carries risks,
Consumer Reports Health says one of the best ways to protect yourself is by doing your homework. Look for a board-certified ophthalmologist who does at least 250 procedures a year. And be sure you go into the surgery with realistic expectations.
Fifty-five percent of the people in the
Consumer Reports Health survey still need to wear glasses or contacts at least some of the time after surgery. And many people will need reading glasses when they hit 40.
Consumer Reports Health says be aware not everyone is a good candidate for this surgery. A reputable laser center will do a thorough prescreening and usually rejects 10 percent or more of their prospective patients.
Still, laser eye surgery can be an effective measure for improving people's vision. And it turns out that the most common regret from those surveyed was not doing it sooner.
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