Not too long ago, eye surgery sounded like magic.
Today, LASIK statistics show that the procedure is done with a rate of 96% success. Just look at how far we’ve come!
But it’s eyes. Isn’t it scary?
Facts about LASIK show that there’s no need to panic!
In this article, we’re going to talk a little more about LASIK eye surgery statistics and everything you need to know about it. Read on to learn more!
Top LASIK Eye Surgery Statistics: Editor’s Choice
- LASIK stats show 96% of success in all categories.
- Only 0.3% have more serious problems after LASIK surgery.
- 90% of patients performing LASIK get 20/20 vision or better.
- The total market worth of LASIK is around $1.5 billion.
- The LASIK market grows with approximately 6.5% CAGR.
- Around 10 million Americans have used LASIK since it was invented.
- LASIK saves up to $10,000 for eye care.
- 99% of patients achieve 20/40 vision after LASIK.
Most Notable LASIK Eye Surgery Statistics
1. LASIK safety statistics show a 96% success rate.
The success rate of LASIK surgery is at least 96%. However, medical research statistics show that sometimes this number goes as high as 98%.
According to the same LASIK results statistics, up to 50% of the patients end up with a better vision than the standard 20/20.
2. The best year for LASIK was 2008.
With around 1.5 million cases, the year 2008 was the best for this industry, according to all LASIK surgery facts. Since then, the number was dropping until 2015 when it started going up again.
LASIK surgery statistics also predict that by 2023 the number of procedures done will be close to 1.5 million.
3. Only 0.3% have more serious problems after LASIK surgery.
When it comes to LASIK risks, the statistics show that only 0.3% have more serious problems after surgery.
These complications include getting dry eyes or infection which is still not a serious problem that will make you lose your vision.
4. 96% of refractive surgery is LASIK.
According to facts connected to refractive surgery and LASIK facts connected to it, 96% of all refractive surgery is done with LASIK procedures.
This speaks about how much safer it is than any other treatment.
5. 90% of patients performing LASIK get 20/20 vision or better.
When it comes to LASIK vision facts, they say that an incredible percentage of people undergoing this type of laser surgery end up with perfect vision.
On top of this, LASIK eye surgery facts also say that 90% of patients are getting perfect 20/20 vision. Some go even beyond.
6. The total market worth of LASIK is around $1.5 billion.
Even though this information is from 2015, stats show that this field of the health industry is growing the fastest.
The predictions based on facts about LASIK eye surgery say that by 2023 this market will be worth $3.7 billion.
7. Around 35% of Americans are affected by eye problems that can be fixed.
All statistics on LASIK point to one thing – no one did it for fun, and all patients had serious problems. What’s more important is that around 35% of Americans have eye problems that can be fixed with laser surgery.
A very small part of them decides to do it, though.
8. The first laser eye surgery was performed in 1989.
Here’s one of the many landmark statistics for LASIK procedures through the years. Today LASIK is more than 30 years old. The first procedure was performed in 1989 by the eye surgeon Marguerite B. MacDonald—here’s how the surgery works nowadays!
The most notable research was done even earlier. In the 1950s Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer made a breakthrough in eye surgery.
9. The LASIK market grows with approximately 6.5% CAGR.
The LASIK statistics of 2019 suggest that during the period of 2018-2022, the market is going to reach a 6.5% CAGR.
10. In 2015, 285 million people were diagnosed with eye vision impairment.
These people can easily improve their vision. There are a few billion people in the world that can benefit from LASIK.
However, statistics on how many people understand what LASIK is are devastating. People seem to be too scared to take the risk.
11. Around 10 million Americans did LASIK since it was invented.
The statistics on LASIK eye surgery say that around 10 million Americans corrected their vision since the surgery was first introduced in the 1990s.
12. The optimal time to get perfect vision after LASIK is 3 days.
The statistics on LASIK complications say that most people feel discomfort and mild problems in the first 3 days. After that patients get perfect vision. Everything else beyond these 3 days should be administered to the ophthalmologist who did the procedure.
As we said above, LASIK complications statistics say that more serious problems happen in only 0.3% of the cases.
13. The LASIK procedure is 15 minutes long.
Most people are not aware of this, but the length of the procedure is a part of the surprising facts about LASIK eye surgery because it lasts only 15 minutes. People are not aware of this fact.
For this, the patients need to pay as much as $4,500. A lot of LASIK eye surgery reviews in 2019 showed that in order to achieve better marketing, ophthalmologists give high discounts for their services, so chances are you won’t need to pay so much.
14. Experienced ophthalmologist reduces the chance of complications.
Looking into LASIK eye surgery complications statistics, it’s clear that the more experienced the ophthalmologists, the lower the chance for complications.
Those clinics that offer low prices and are relatively new in the business are the ones who raise the bar in the statistics of LASIK complications.
15. 45% of LASIK patients didn’t experience any problems.
The patients who are hesitant about doing LASIK are the most worried about the LASIK problems statistics. It is clear that most people come out of it safely, though.
On top of this, LASIK side effects statistics show that 45% of patients got none. They were in perfect condition right after the surgery.
16. Only 3% of patients regret doing the surgery.
LASIK eye surgery risks statistics show that the chances of something bad happening are slim to none. That’s why only 3% of all 10 million people in the USA regretted doing the procedure.
LASIK eye surgery information and facts point out that 9.7 million of those 10 were satisfied.
17. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are the most common conditions being treated.
LASIK statistics showed us the most common conditions regarding eyesight – myopia or better known as nearsightedness, hyperopia or the opposite, and astigmatism which is a problem regarding focus.
Statistics on LASIK surgery show that all these can be fixed with a simple procedure.
18. The most feared complication after LASIK is corneal ectasia.
People who hesitate to undergo LASIK often have a fear of getting a postsurgical corneal ectasia. However, statistics on LASIK and ectasia show that this happens in only 0.2% of the cases.
According to LASIK statistics, there are only 29 registered cases since the first procedure.
19. The most common complication after LASIK is dry eyes.
The most common complication after the surgery is having dry eyes. The LASIK statistics about complications show that there are less than 10 possible outcomes that are not wanted.
20. Most people opt for LASIK between 20 and 40 years of age.
Statistics on LASIK eye surgery connected to the age of patients show that most people who are performing the surgery are between 20 and 40. After the age of 40 many perfectly healthy individuals begin to experience eye problems.
Most of the conditions these people experience are not LASIK treatable, but some are. From those that are treatable, monovision is on the top of the ladder according to the statistics on what LASIK surgery people perform after 40.
21. LASIK uses the same technology that NASA uses.
Here’s one of the most interesting facts about LASIK eye surgery – the technology behind the aperture used for treating patients is based on the technology that was invented and is used by NASA for their spacecraft.
22. LASIK helps you lose the glasses.
Not exactly part of the interesting facts about LASIK but still pretty useful. Most people who wear glasses can completely get rid of them after LASIK. People who did eye surgery not only improved their vision but their mental health and self-esteem.
23. LASIK saves up to $10,000 for eye care.
Even though this is not the most affordable procedure, the facts about LASIK eye surgery say that you can save by doing it.
According to the LASIK surgery cost stats made by Dr. Smith from AMO Inc. patients between 40 and 49 years of age can save up to $10,000 by performing eye surgery.
24. 99% of patients achieve 20/40 vision after LASIK.
A total of 99% of people doing LASIK get a 20/40 vision after the procedure. People often ask their ophthalmologists – what are the statistics of LASIK eye correction?
This is a great question!
The LASIK surgery most successful statistics show that getting a 20/40 vision is absolutely achievable.
25. LASIK can’t make you go blind.
A lot of people are afraid of going blind after the surgery. However, LASIK blindness statistics are actually on zero.
There’s no case of someone going blind after laser eye surgery. LASIK surgery risk statistics show other side effects and complications but blindness is not one of them.
Key Takeaways
Medical technology moving forward means only one thing – having a solution for many different conditions we experience and struggle with.
The eyes are probably the most sensitive part of the human body. It’s understandable why people still have doubts about eye surgery.
However, as LASIK statistics show, this procedure is painless and almost impossible to go wrong. There’s no reason why people should fear it.
LASIK facts and myths must be debunked.
Don’t be scared of LASIK. It will most certainly do more good than bad.
Besides, who doesn’t want a 20/40 vision? That’s like a superpower!
Frequently Asked Questions
Having in mind all LASIK correction statistics in the USA, the answer to this question is yes. While there certainly are other options (read our comparison of PRK vs. LASIK for more context), with over 98% satisfaction in patients who got treatment from experienced ophthalmologists, all LASIK facts and risks point to it being worth it.
LASIK treatment is supposed to be permanent. However, in about 1% of cases per year, patients will need some kind of enhancement. The LASIK outcome statistics show that after 10 years, the chance of needing another treatment is around 10%.
Unless we’re talking about the statistics for the LASIK procedure that had to be overdone, the results from the surgery are supposed to last forever. However, according to LASIK patient satisfaction statistics, there’s a 10% chance after 10 years you’ll need another procedure.
The success rate is over 95%. The rest of the patients experience mild problems after surgery.
Around 35% of people qualify. That’s roughly 115 million people in the US. LASIK eye surgery facts and the history of performed procedures say only 10 million people did LASIK so far.
No, you can’t go blind from LASIK. According to LASIK statistics, there’s no chance of becoming blind. The worst-case scenario is getting dry eyes that need treatment. This is also not a life-threatening surgery.