The idea of having one’s vision corrected permanently with a procedure that takes just minutes is appealing to many. However, there are patients who question its validity. When patients come to our Rapid City laser eye surgery center to discuss LASIK, often one of the first questions they ask is, “How successful is LASIK?” Many are, understandably, reluctant to undergo a surgical procedure if they are not certain that it will be a success. The good news for our Rapid City patients is that our LASIK success rates are high. LASIK surgery has been successful for an overwhelming number of our patients at Black Hills Regional Eye Institute.

There is no national data base that keeps track of LASIK surgeries and success rates. However, a number of studies have been performed. Data collected for these studies suggests that up to 85 percent of patients achieve LASIK results that leave them with 20/20 vision or better. Studies also show that approximately 92 percent of patients will obtain vision of 20/40 or better after recovering from LASIK. These results are a great improvement for patients who seek out LASIK to correct vision problems caused by astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. According to these studies, LASIK success rates are high; however, it is also important to consider that these are national studies. When determining whether or not to undergo LASIK, it is important to consider the success rate of the individual practice or surgeon. The results of LASIK are affected a great deal by the following factors:

• The performing surgeon: The success and skill of the surgeon performing LASIK will have the greatest impact on the success of the surgery. Our doctors at Black Hills Regional Eye Institute have years of experience and training. What’s more, each of our doctors has a subspecialty, such as LASIK, so that our patients can be sure that they are getting an expert in the field.
• Technology: Technology plays a big role in the success rate of LASIK. Technology in the LASIK field has continued to advance in recent years, making LASIK a procedure that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each patient. However, not all practices have kept up with this technology. Here at Black Hills Regional Eye Institute, we use the latest technology to offer iLASIK and LASEK. For our patients in Rapid City, LASIK is completely bladeless. Each cut and alteration is made using a laser. This allows our doctors the highest level of precision possible.
• The patient: Some patients are not good candidates for LASIK. If LASIK surgery is performed on improper candidates, the results are not likely to be successful. Our doctors examine each patient to determine if they will be good candidates for successful LASIK surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

The experience of our doctors, the advanced technology we employ, and our attention to detail combine to make the Black Hills Regional Eye Center one of the leading providers of LASIK surgery in Rapid City. If you’d like to learn if LASIK surgery can improve your vision, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at your earliest convenience. We look forward to meeting you!