The recently released results of the Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll provide some interesting results (relative to any sort of LASIK news you’d normally read at least).

For one, we’re told that the percentage of Americans that underwent LASIK eye correction surgery has increased marginally from 2% in 2004 to 3% in 2005. This is part of an increasing trend of people undergoing invasive surgery (5% to 7%), despite the prevalent risks. As prospective LASIK patients should already know, even LASIK comes with potential complications. This blog has highlighted a few LASIK failure stories already.

More importantly, the data also shows (somewhat) that LASIK has become more mainstream as a medical solution, rather than just a “rich man’s toy”, as there was an increase of 4% (from 8% to 12%) of patients undergoing LASIK for medical reasons.

Overall, I can draw a few conclusions. Firstly, it is clear that LASIK is still experiencing growth - albeit at a pace much slower than before. Secondly, we will most likely be seeing LASIK’s transition from a luxury-class procedure to a well-accepted medical solution for eye problems in the near future.

[News via Harris Interactive]