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Are you considering LASIK laser vision correction surgery, but feeling concerned about safety issues or costs? You may be surprised to learn just how popular, affordable and hassle-free LASIK surgery truly is. More than seventeen million people across the globe, including eight million Americans, have enjoyed the many benefits of LASIK, fueling the procedure’s popularity in a global market expected to have exceeded three billion dollars in 2008. Satisfaction rates are high, with ninety percent of LASIK patients stating they would recommend the procedure to others, and seventy percent stating the quality of their vision was amazing. Age of LASIK Patients The average age group for LASIK patients is slowly lowering. Statistics for 2005 show that more than 56 percent of patients were in the 18-34 age group and of that group, 54 percent were male and 46 percent were female. Fifty percent of those patients chose Custom Wavefront LASIK, while 25 percent chose Bladeless LASIK (also called iLASIK). From September 2004 to September 2005, Americans spent 33.2% more on LASIK surgery than in the previous year. LASIK Safety For over 20 years, and after tens of millions of surgeries, LASIK has enjoyed a very high safety rating. Like all surgeries, it has some temporary side effects which are not the same thing as genuine complications. Complications are rare. • Dry Eye Syndrome: Dry Eye Syndrome is a long-lasting condition. Only twenty percent of LASIK patients experience dry eyes lasting more than six months. Dry eyes are a short-term side effect in most cases. • Epithelial ingrowth: Growth of epithelial cells underneath the corneal flap. It occurs in two to fifteen percent of all LASIK patients. • Corneal Ectasia: A non-inflammatory protrusion of the cornea. Occurs in approximately one in every 2,500 patients. LASIK Costs Ten percent of all LASIK patients chose to undergo the procedure because affordable financing was offered by their surgeon’s office. The majority of consumers planning to have LASIK cite cost as the most important consideration. Recent years have seen a trend toward more affordable prices, due in large part to advancements in surgeon education and technology. There is one word of caution when basing your decision on price alone: • Beware of vision centers advertising too-good-to-be-true bargain prices. Be sure to ask specific questions about what you are getting for your money before agreeing to the surgery. Consumers who did not receive the services or quality they expected have filed lawsuits against several vision centers. Choose a Qualified LASIK Surgeon A far more important decision about LASIK than cost is choosing the right surgeon. A highly experienced and qualified eye surgeon is trained in the latest techniques, has specific expertise in a variety of vision correction procedures, and has access to advanced diagnostic technology. He or she will also be careful and responsible in choosing good LASIK candidates, and in offering alternative procedures to those who are poor LASIK candidates. Having an inappropriate surgery done on your eyes is a good way to invite problems and the surgeon’s reputation is at stake as well as your eyesight. In San Francisco, California and surrounding communities, the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley and Dr. Gary Kawesch have helped thousands of LASIK patients enjoy higher quality vision at an affordable cost.
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