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LASIK Safety

Expertise, Technology & Peace of Mind

Considering LASIK in Reno, Carson City, or Lake Tahoe? Whether you’re exploring vision correction or feeling uncertain about LASIK safety, you’re not alone. LASIK is one of the most successful and widely performed elective procedures—and it also holds the distinction of having the highest patient satisfaction rate of any elective surgery.

At Nevada Eye Consultants, your care is in the hands of highly trained, board-certified ophthalmologists with extensive experience performing advanced refractive procedures. We pair that expertise with the latest LASIK technology and a comprehensive, personalized evaluation process to determine whether LASIK is the safest and most effective choice for your vision. Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Ophthalmology LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction Go to Source 1

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Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe?

Yes—when performed by experienced surgeons using advanced diagnostics and modern laser systems, LASIK is exceptionally safe. In fact, studies show that over 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, and severe complications are exceedingly rare. Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know American Refractive Surgery Council Go to Source 2 At Nevada Eye Consultants, our results are even stronger—more than 93% of our LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, with many seeing even better than that.

At Nevada Eye Consultants, LASIK procedures are performed by board-certified ophthalmologists who bring decades of combined experience in refractive surgery. We use wavefront-guided and femtosecond laser technology to create highly customized treatments with optimal precision and safety.

How Does LASIK Work?

LASIK corrects vision by reshaping the cornea to improve how light enters the eye. The process includes:

  • Creating a thin corneal flap using a femtosecond laser
  • Reshaping the corneal tissue with a cool excimer laser to correct your specific refractive error
  • Repositioning the flap, which adheres naturally without sutures

The entire procedure typically takes less than 15 minutes for both eyes and is made comfortable by the use of anesthetic drops. Most patients return to normal activities within 24–48 hours.

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Who Should Not Get LASIK?

Your safety comes first. Not every patient is a good candidate for LASIK, and our team will never recommend the procedure unless it’s truly appropriate. You may not be a candidate if you:

 

  • Have thin corneas or corneal abnormalities
  • Are under 21 or have unstable vision
  • Are pregnant or nursing
  • Have active eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma, severe dry eye)
  • Have certain autoimmune conditions or a history of corneal ectasia

In those cases, we may recommend alternatives such as PRK or EVO ICL™—both excellent options depending on your vision and eye health.

 

 

Are you a good candidate for LASIK?

 

Take our quiz to find out!
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Understanding the Risks of LASIK

No surgical procedure is entirely risk-free, but complications from LASIK are uncommon and often temporary. Possible side effects include:

  • Dry eyes: Typically returning to baseline in weeks to months following surgery
  • Glare or halos at night: Usually resolve within weeks or months
  • Under- or overcorrection: May require an enhancement procedure
  • Flap complications: Very rare with modern femtosecond lasers
  • Vision loss: Serious, lasting complications are extremely rare Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Facts About LASIK Complications American Academy of Ophthalmology Go to Source 3
  • Ectasia:  Treated with hard contact lenses and corneal strengthening procedure

We conduct thorough pre-operative testing and advanced imaging to detect any issues early—long before your surgery is scheduled.  Care is taken to optimize your tears and eye surface as needed both before and after your procedure.

Excellent eye doctor. The care you receive at this practice is unrivaled. Had a LASIK procedure done here and it was quick, professional and personable. Great instructions and care for post op and follow up. Highly recommend.

stars Nick H.

The staff at NV Eye Consultants were incredibly professional, informative, and nice. My entire lasik experience was very comfortable. And as someone who was never a candidate for this procedure in the past, their methods and technology are top-notch and got the job done. 100% recommend

stars Sarah H.

Had LASIK done in both eyes. Every interaction I had, from my initial consult through my morning-after follow up, was professional and helpful. The staff is wonderful, welcoming, and patient and Dr. Engle made the actual procedure so much easier than I anticipated. Can’t recommend this team enough!

stars Jamie G.

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How much is bad vision actually costing you?

Many people are surprised to learn that vision correction surgery can help you save money in the long run. Use our vision cost calculator to find out how much your glasses or contacts may be costing you over your lifetime.

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The doctors of Nevada LASIK

Your Safety Is Our Priority

At Nevada Eye Consultants, our process begins with an in-depth LASIK consultation where we evaluate your vision, eye health, corneal thickness, pupil size, tear film, and lifestyle goals. If LASIK is a safe and appropriate option, we’ll design a fully customized treatment plan to help you see the world clearly and confidently.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule a LASIK Consultation in Reno, Carson City & Lake Tahoe

If you’re ready to take the first step toward clearer vision, we’re here to help. Nevada Eye Consultants proudly serves patients from Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding communities. Book your personalized LASIK consultation today to discover if LASIK is the safest solution for your vision goals.

Schedule a Consultation

1 Ophthalmology. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19344821/. Accessed July 28, 2025.
2 American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/is-lasik-safe/. Accessed August 6, 2025.
3 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Facts About LASIK Complications. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/facts-about-lasik-complications. Accessed July 28, 2025.
4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/contact-lens-risks. Accessed July 28, 2025.
5 Solomon KD, Fernández de Castro LE, Sandoval HP, Biber JM, Groat B, Neff KD, Ying MS, French JW, Donnenfeld ED, Lindstrom RL; Joint LASIK Study Task Force. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction. Ophthalmology. 2009 Apr;116(4):691-701. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2008.12.037. PMID: 19344821. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19344821/. Accessed July 28, 2025.
6 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/contact-lens-risks. Accessed July 28, 2025.
7 Mathers WD, Fraunfelder FW, Rich LF. Risk of Lasik Surgery vs Contact Lenses. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124(10):1510–1511. doi:10.1001/archopht.124.10.1510-b. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/418674. Accessed July 28, 2025.
8 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact Lens Health Week. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6532a1.htm. Accessed July 28, 2025.

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