Lasik: Everything You MUST Know

What Exactly Is Lasik?

Lasik (Laser Situ Keratomileusis) is one of three forms of refractive eye surgery where a laser reshapes your cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. It’s elective, cosmetic, and usually not covered by insurance. It sounds like a miracle, but let’s dig into what really happens—and the risks no one wants to talk about.

Lasik Isn’t the Miracle Fix You Think It Is

If you’ve been thinking about getting Lasik surgery to ditch glasses or contacts for good, you’re not alone. I get it—the idea of waking up and seeing clearly sounds amazing. But before you schedule that consultation, I want to share a few things you might not hear from your eye surgeon. I’ve worked with many clients post-surgery. My message? It isn’t the long-term fix you think it is.

The FDA’s Draft Guidelines have started to acknowledge these risks more openly, yet many patients still aren’t fully informed before their surgery.

My Lasik Concerns Backed by My Experience and Research

Here’s what I’ve found through experience and research:

• Up to 50% of patients report severe dry eyes three months post-surgery (and many struggle even a decade later)
• 46% experience new visual disturbances like double vision, halos and starbursts at night
• Some patients struggle with light sensitivity, migraines, eye strain and corneal infections
• Corneal tissues can thicken as a natural healing response, reducing the effectiveness
• Up to 10% of patients don’t get 20/20 correction.
• 1% report such severe outcomes—including pain and depression—that some have tragically taken their own lives.

Most people are back in glasses in less than ten years, many within one year. Lasik is a risky short-term “fix”. I highly recommend exploring LasikComplications.com, run by Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA advisor who once approved Lasik but now actively speaks out against it.

Misconceptions I Hear All the Time

“Lasik is a permanent fix.”
Nope. Vision changes with age. 100% of people will end up back in glasses—often starting with reading glasses and eventually full-time wear of bifocals or multi-focal glasses since their distance vision also declines again. Also your corneal integrity is forever damaged.

“Lasik corrects near and far vision”
Lasik corrects your eyesight for ONE distance—far—but your eyes don’t need that same diopter strength for close up. A nearsighted person might need no correction for reading, a farsighted person might need more. So running around with an engraved correction for distance vision (20ft) while you sit in front of a computer (2 ft) is a massive strain that will take it’s toll. That’s why behavioral optometrists advise using lower diopters for all myopic patients. Thinking of mono vision correction? Even worse. It’s common for binocular vision to decline with monovision correction, which increases the risk of falls and accidents.

“It’s safe and routine.”
While Lasik clinics claim that over 90% of patients are happy about their results, there is no standard for surveys afterwards and patients don’t necessarily report all their concerns to their provider compared to an anonymous survey. 99% get 20/40, which is the legal limit for uncorrected driving in most states in the US. not without risks. Long-term complications like corneal ectasia and nerve damage are documented in reports like this one.

“It works for everyone.”
Lasik for higher refractive errors above -10.00 for my myopia, over 6.00 diopters for astigmatism and over +4.00 of hyperopia (farsightedness) is unreliable. Success rates drop, and regression is more likely. And the higher your pre-op refractive error (aka higher diopters) the quicker you’ll be back in glasses for close up vision when your nearsighted.

Alternatives That Actually Address the Root Cause

What I teach through my Naturally Clear Vision® Method goes beyond symptom relief. It’s about improving the health of your eyes and your visual acuity long-term. I’ve worked with people who were on daily prescription eye drops post-surgery and helped them return to natural lubrication over time. Your vision can improve when you address the cause, not just the symptom.

🎓 Join My Free Masterclass:
“See Clearly Without Glasses or Surgery”
🗓️ Friday, May 30, 2025 at 12 PM Pacific
👉 Register here

What to Consider Before You Commit to Lasik

1. Do your research. Read the proposed updated FDA Guidelines
2. Ask better questions. Don’t settle for “90% success.” Ask about the 10%—and what happens if you’re in that group, or worse the 1%
3. Know your exact prescription. What’s being corrected?
4. Avoid monovision correction unless you’ve used monovision contacts and you’ve brain and body have adjusted. And practice fusion exercises to avoid binocular vision decline and balance issues.
5. Have a backup plan. What will you do if Lasik doesn’t deliver the results you expected?

It may seem like an easy way out of wearing glasses, but it’s not without cost. I’ve seen too many clients devastated by long-term complications. And not one of them would do it again. If you’ve already had Lasik and are struggling, there is hope, I’ve helped many clients get back to 20/20 near and far after Lasik left them in glasses. And if you haven’t gone under the laser yet—pause, research, and make an empowered decision.

Watch the full episode on YouTube:
Everything You Must Know About LASIK Surgery

Explore more about vision improvement:
Visit Naturally Clear Vision

Additional Articles:
NY Times: Lasik Injuries
The Guardian on Lasik Dangers
NY Post Report