Yes. LASIK in 2026 is one of the safest elective procedures you can have. Over 40 million procedures have been performed worldwide, and modern all-laser technology has pushed satisfaction rates above 96 percent. But I don’t want to just throw numbers at you. I want to tell you what “safe” actually means when you’re the one lying on the table.
What Does “Safe” Actually Mean for LASIK?
When a patient sits across from me at Visionary Eye Surgery in Plano and asks if LASIK is safe, I don’t give them a pamphlet. I give them the same answer I’d give my own family.
Safe means the FDA approved this procedure after extensive trials. Safe means we use a femtosecond laser instead of a blade, which means more precision and fewer complications. Safe means I’ve spent thousands of hours behind the laser and I still treat every single eye like it’s the only one that matters.
But safe doesn’t mean zero risk. Nothing in medicine is zero risk. And any surgeon who tells you otherwise is someone you should walk away from.
What Are the Real Risks of LASIK Surgery?
The most common side effect is dry eyes. Most patients experience some dryness for a few weeks after the procedure. For the majority, it resolves completely. For a small number, it can linger longer, and we manage it aggressively with drops and sometimes punctal plugs.
Halos and glare at night are another one. With all-laser LASIK and wavefront-guided treatments like Contoura Vision, these are far less common than they were ten years ago. But I still tell every patient about them because I’d rather you be informed than surprised.
Serious complications like infection or significant vision loss are extraordinarily rare. We’re talking fractions of a percent. And in my practice in Plano, Texas, we use protocols that keep those numbers as close to zero as possible.
How Do I Know If My Surgeon Is Actually Qualified?
This is probably the more important question. LASIK is safe in the right hands. In the wrong hands, anything is dangerous.
Here’s what I’d look for. Board certification in ophthalmology is the baseline. Fellowship training in refractive surgery matters. Experience with the specific technology being used matters even more. A surgeon who’s done 50 LASIK procedures is not the same as one who’s done 5,000.
At Visionary Eye Surgery, I don’t hide behind marketing. I show you my results. I show you the technology. I answer your questions until you run out of them. That’s what a real consultation looks like in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Is the Technology in 2026 Better Than It Used to Be?
Dramatically. The LASIK I perform in Plano today is not the LASIK of 2010. We use femtosecond lasers for the flap creation, which is bladeless and incredibly precise. We use topography-guided ablation that maps your cornea with thousands of data points. We can customize the treatment to your individual eye in ways that weren’t possible even five years ago.
I also offer SMILE eye surgery for patients who are candidates. It’s a flapless, minimally invasive procedure that’s gained serious ground in North Texas. And for patients with high prescriptions who aren’t great LASIK candidates, EVO ICL is a reversible implantable lens option that I’ve seen change lives.
What Should I Expect During a LASIK Consultation in Plano?
If you come see me, expect about two hours. We’re going to measure everything. Corneal thickness, pupil size, tear film quality, topography, wavefront aberrometry. I want a complete picture of your eyes before I tell you whether you’re a candidate.
And here’s the part most clinics skip. If you’re not a great candidate for LASIK, I’ll tell you. I won’t try to talk you into something that’s not the best fit. I might recommend ASA/PRK instead, or EVO ICL, or Custom Lens Replacement. The goal is the best outcome for your eyes, not a sale.
How Do I Take the Next Step?
If you’ve been thinking about LASIK in Dallas-Fort Worth and safety is your main concern, I respect that. It should be your concern. Your eyes are worth asking hard questions about.
Book a free consultation at Visionary Eye Surgery in Plano. Ask me anything. Check out our 20/Happy Patient Guarantee and read what actual patients say on our testimonials page. Then make an informed decision on your own timeline.
Keep Reading
- All-Laser LASIK in Plano, TX
- SMILE Eye Surgery at Visionary Eye
- LASIK Pricing and Financing Options
- More Articles from Dr. Shehz
Visionary Eye Surgery | Plano, TX
