Dr. Alan Faulkner Discusses LASIK Safety and Patient Screening

Has news coverage ever sparked your interest in or concern about a vision correction procedure? If so, we should talk about it. While there are many vision correction procedures available today, LASIK is the most popular and gets the most attention from the media. While recent news coverage may raise questions, it’s important to remember that individual cases don’t reflect the broader safety profile established through decades of research. I want to assure all of my patients – and anyone considering vision correction procedures – of my confidence in the safety and efficacy of LASIK. 

As a doctor and a practicing ophthalmologist since the 1990s, I want to address patients’ concerns about LASIK safety. Here at Aloha Laser Vision, patient screening and realistic expectation-setting are paramount, no matter what vision correction procedure an individual is considering. Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, which is why we conduct thorough evaluations to determine which, if any, vision correction procedure is right for each patient.

Importantly, an enormous body of scientific data over 30+ years supports LASIK as both safe and effective for those who are good candidates, a fact that the FDA has repeatedly reaffirmed and validated with its own independent research. I know — LASIK has helped millions achieve clearer vision with high satisfaction rates, but like any medical procedure, it requires careful consideration of individual factors and realistic expectations about outcomes.

For anyone considering any vision correction procedure, I encourage open dialogue with me about your concerns, expectations, and individual risk factors. I firmly believe informed decisions lead to the best outcomes. When seeking information about any medical procedure, I urge patients to rely on peer-reviewed research and guidance from qualified healthcare professionals rather than just news reports.

And, if you are going through something right now, struggling with your mental health, please know we care, you are valuable, and help is available. Just some of the many options for support include: 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

• Your primary care physician or mental health professional

If you have any questions or concerns about LASIK or other vision correction procedures, we encourage you to reach out to Aloha Laser Vision today. 

— Dr. Alan Faulkner – Board-Certified Ophthalmologist