LASIK and other corneal refractive procedures (PRK, RK) have popularized to the point that most people either know someone who's had the procedure, or have had the procedure themselves. For the most part these procedures are successful and life-changing in the positive direction, reducing or eliminating the dependence on glasses or contact lenses for vision. However, about three percent suffer from visual complications that are not regarded as official "complications", but can be life-altering in a negative way.

If you wear corrective lenses and are nearsighted or you have astigmatisms, then you may want to consider LASIK surgery. This surgery is still fairly new, but it has a high success rate. LASIK is considered an elective cosmetic surgery and may not be covered under some insurance policies.