SUNNY - That procedure isn't so new. It's been used to treat people with various forms of corneal disease for several years.
As far as actual lasik or RK or other types of corrective eye surgeries go, the majority of people are happy with them, even though some experience chronic dryness or halo effects that never dissapear. They consider this a small price to pay for vastly improved vision.
However, a certain percentage of people who have the corrective surgery end up needing to wear glasses anyway, as the cornea actually seeks to return to it's original shape. That's why most doctors try to overcorrect, so that when the cornea stabilizes, it's at or near optimal vision.
I would NEVER get corrective surgery with current procedures b/c 1-2% of people who have lasik end up worse than they started. Some end up blind, others with permenantly blurry vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts.
1-2% sounds like a very small risk and it is - unless you're the 1 or 2 in 100.
The RK method is much more risky and has a much lower success rate as well. The cuts made in the cornea tend to close as well so people end up in the same position they did before. It is only an option for people with relatively decent vision anyway. The biggest risk is for chronic eye infections, as the surgery works by making cuts in the cornea that are kept open, a perfect entry point for bacteria. A small number of people with RK corrective surgery have lost their eye, when struck by an object such as a fist or tennis ball.
Time Magazine did an EXCELLENT analysis of the risks and benefits about a year or two ago. If possible, get a hold of that issue.
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