LASIK Eye Surgery in Las Vegas: What the Research Says, What Patients Experience & How to Choose a Surgeon

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is one of the most thoroughly studied elective surgical procedures in medical history. According to the **FDA**, LASIK has been FDA-approved since 1999, and over 40 million LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide. For Las Vegas medical tourists, LASIK offers a compelling combination: a procedure that can be completed in under 30 minutes per eye, with most patients achieving functional vision within 24 hours and returning to normal activities within days. This guide covers the full spectrum of laser vision correction available in Las Vegas: LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), LASEK, and premium intraocular lens (IOL) implants for patients with cataracts or presbyopia. For each, we present what the peer-reviewed research says, what real patients report, the FDA's position, who is qualified to perform the procedure, the known risks, and the genuine positive outcomes the evidence supports. VegasMedicalTourism.com is a business directory. Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice. We strongly encourage you to consult with at least two to three board-certified ophthalmologists before making any decision about elective eye surgery.

LASIK: The World's Most Studied Elective Surgery

What It Is: LASIK uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea by removing precise amounts of tissue, correcting refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism). A thin corneal flap is created with a femtosecond laser or microkeratome, the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped, and the flap is repositioned. According to the FDA, LASIK is approved for patients 18 and older with stable refraction, adequate corneal thickness, and no disqualifying eye conditions.

What the Research Says: A comprehensive systematic review published in Ophthalmology (2016) — the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology — analyzed 97 studies involving 67,893 eyes and found that 96.1% of patients achieved 20/20 vision or better after LASIK, with 99.5% achieving 20/40 or better (the legal driving standard). Patient satisfaction was reported at 95.3% — among the highest of any elective surgical procedure studied.

A 2021 meta-analysis in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery confirmed that modern femtosecond LASIK (all-laser LASIK) produces superior outcomes to older microkeratome-based LASIK, with lower rates of flap complications and better predictability.

Pros: - FDA-approved with 25+ years of clinical data - 96%+ of patients achieve 20/20 or better - Rapid recovery: most patients see clearly within 24 hours - Painless procedure; topical anesthetic drops used - Results are permanent (though natural age-related vision changes continue)

Cons: - Not appropriate for all patients: thin corneas, severe dry eye, irregular astigmatism, keratoconus, or unstable refraction are disqualifying conditions - Dry eye syndrome is the most common side effect, affecting 20–40% of patients in the first 3–6 months - Halos, glare, and starbursts around lights at night — more common in patients with large pupils or high prescriptions - Flap complications (rare but serious): flap displacement, epithelial ingrowth - Enhancement (touch-up) procedures needed in approximately 1–5% of cases - Not reversible once performed

What People Say: On RealSelf, LASIK carries a "Worth It" rating of approximately 96% — one of the highest of any procedure on the platform. Patients overwhelmingly describe the experience as life-changing, with the most common theme being the elimination of glasses and contact lens dependence. The most common complaints involve dry eye symptoms in the months following surgery and, in a small percentage of cases, persistent halos or glare at night. One patient wrote: *"I had LASIK in Las Vegas before a road trip. I woke up the next morning and could read the clock across the room for the first time in 20 years. It was surreal."* Another noted: *"The dry eye was real for about four months. I used drops constantly. But it resolved and I have perfect vision now."*

Good News: According to a 2022 long-term outcomes study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, LASIK outcomes remain stable at 10 years in the vast majority of patients, with no significant regression of correction in patients who were appropriate candidates at the time of surgery.

PRK, SMILE & Premium IOLs: Alternatives to Traditional LASIK

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): PRK was the first FDA-approved laser vision correction procedure (1995), predating LASIK. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not create a corneal flap — the surface epithelium is removed and the laser reshapes the corneal surface directly. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), PRK is preferred for patients with thin corneas, dry eye, or certain occupations (military, contact sports) where a corneal flap poses a risk. Visual outcomes are equivalent to LASIK at 3–6 months, but recovery is slower — 3–5 days of significant discomfort and blurred vision during epithelial healing. PRK is the recommended alternative when LASIK is not appropriate.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): SMILE is the newest FDA-approved laser vision correction procedure, approved in 2016 for myopia and in 2018 for astigmatism. According to the FDA, SMILE uses a femtosecond laser to create a small lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea, which is then removed through a small incision — no flap is created. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Refractive Surgery found that SMILE produced outcomes comparable to LASIK for myopia correction, with potentially lower rates of dry eye due to the preservation of more corneal nerves. SMILE is currently only FDA-approved for myopia and myopic astigmatism — it is not approved for hyperopia.

Premium Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): For patients with cataracts or presbyopia (age-related loss of near vision), premium IOLs offer an alternative to standard monofocal lenses. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), premium IOLs include multifocal, extended depth of focus (EDOF), and toric (astigmatism-correcting) lenses. A 2020 systematic review in Ophthalmology found that multifocal IOLs produced significantly greater spectacle independence than monofocal IOLs, though with higher rates of halos and glare. Premium IOLs are placed during cataract surgery or as a standalone refractive lens exchange (RLE) procedure.

Risks, Contraindications & What Every Patient Must Know

According to the FDA and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the following risks and contraindications apply to laser vision correction:

Absolute Contraindications: - Keratoconus (corneal thinning disease) — LASIK can accelerate progression - Insufficient corneal thickness — inadequate tissue for safe ablation - Unstable refraction — prescription must be stable for at least 1–2 years - Active autoimmune or connective tissue disease - Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Serious but Rare Risks: - Ectasia (progressive corneal thinning post-LASIK): estimated incidence 0.04–0.6%; risk is highest in patients with thin corneas or subclinical keratoconus who should not have been treated - Flap complications (LASIK-specific): displacement, striae, epithelial ingrowth - Infection: rare but serious; estimated at less than 0.02% per eye - Significant undercorrection or overcorrection requiring enhancement

Common Side Effects (Usually Temporary): - Dry eye: most common side effect; typically resolves within 3–6 months - Halos, glare, starbursts at night: more common in patients with large pupils or high prescriptions; usually improves over 3–6 months - Fluctuating vision during healing period

The FDA's Position on LASIK: The FDA has conducted multiple studies on LASIK outcomes and patient satisfaction. A 2014 FDA-sponsored LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project (LQLCP) study found that while the vast majority of patients are satisfied, approximately 1% of patients report significant quality-of-life impact from symptoms such as halos, glare, or dry eye. The FDA emphasizes that patient selection is the most critical factor in LASIK outcomes — procedures performed on inappropriate candidates account for the majority of serious adverse outcomes.

Choosing a Qualified Surgeon: According to the AAO, LASIK should only be performed by a board-certified ophthalmologist (MD or DO) with specific training in refractive surgery. In Nevada, ophthalmologists must hold an active medical license (verify at medboard.nv.gov) and board certification through the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). Ask any prospective surgeon: - How many LASIK/PRK/SMILE procedures have you performed? - What is your enhancement rate? - Do you perform a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including corneal topography? - What technology do you use (femtosecond laser, excimer laser model)?

VegasMedicalTourism.com lists LASIK and ophthalmology providers across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Summerlin. We encourage you to consult with at least two to three board-certified ophthalmologists before making any decision about elective eye surgery.

The following peer-reviewed studies and professional organization guidelines were referenced in this article. Links open external sources in a new tab.

1. 1.
   Systematic Review of LASIK Outcomes: 97 Studies, 67,893 Eyes

   Ophthalmology (American Academy of Ophthalmology) · 2016

2. 2.
   Femtosecond vs Microkeratome LASIK: Meta-Analysis of Outcomes

   Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery · 2021

3. 3.
   SMILE vs LASIK for Myopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

   Journal of Refractive Surgery · 2019

4. 4.
   10-Year Outcomes of LASIK for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism

   American Journal of Ophthalmology · 2022

5. 5.
   LASIK Eye Surgery: What You Should Know

   U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) · 2024

6. 6.
   FDA Approves SMILE Pro for Myopia and Astigmatism

   U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) · 2023

7. 7.
   LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery: What Patients Need to Know

   American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) · 2024

8. 8.
   Patient-Reported Outcomes After LASIK: FDA-Sponsored Study

   FDA LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project (LQLCP) · 2014