INTRODUCTION
Just about everyone knows someone who has had laser vision correction. That's not surprising when you consider that 9 million people have had LASIK in the United States. As the number of these procedures continues to grow, so, it seems, does the hype. Advertisements, articles, Web sites, and patient testimonials abound. Exciting as this technology is, there's a lot of misinformation that can be confusing to those considering laser vision correction.
Why, for example, does one center offer laser vision correction for half the price of another center? And what is the consumer to make of ads claiming you can "throw your eyeglasses away for good!" and "get 20/20 vision-guaranteed"? A smart consumer considering laser vision correction needs to become well-informed. It is essential that you arm yourself with unbiased, complete information before undergoing such a procedure.
That's why we embarked on writing this book: to provide you with an easy to understand, thorough, and accurate educational tool that will answer your questions about one of the most popular surgical procedures - LASIK vision correction. We are committed to helping people understand the real - not the hyped - benefits of LASIK, as well as its disadvantages and potential risks.
If you are contemplating laser vision correction, you will want to know whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. You will need to find out exactly what is involved, how the procedure works, and how much it costs. You will also want to know what kind of eyesight you can reasonably expect after the surgery, as well as all the possible risks and complications. And you may need guidance on choosing a qualified laser surgeon - someone you can really trust. It is our intent to provide this kind of information in our book.
In our medical practices, we collectively have performed more than 65,000 LASIK procedures, and we talk to thousands of patients each year. When it comes to LASIK, similar questions come up again and again. We kept these questions in mind as we worked on this book. We also understand the kinds of anxieties and misconceptions most patients have when they enter our offices for the first time. We wrote this book to give you the benefit of our experience of having taken care of tens of thousands of patients. It is our hope that we can relieve your fears by thoroughly educating you about LASIK.
The Human Eye And How Vision Works
