(NAPSI)—One of the most common questions surgeons are asked about LASIK is: What is the success rate?

The answer is impressive as outcomes of LASIK surgery—measured by vision and patient satisfaction—are better than ever. In fact, LASIK has one of the highest satisfaction rates on record for any kind of elective surgery—more than 96 percent.

But there is only one LASIK success measure that matters—does it give you the outcome that is right for you? The American Refractive Surgery Council (www.americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/blog) recommends defining what success looks like as an important step in deciding if a laser vision correction procedure is a good option. Asking yourself some questions can help.

For instance, are you a police officer, firefighter, EMT or other first responder? Then for you, LASIK success might mean being able to do your job in tough conditions—like fires or arrests—without your eyeglasses or contact lenses getting in the way.

Those in the military may define LASIK success as the ability to serve and see in harsh environments. Or it might be the ability to do a job—like flying a combat airplane—where having the best eyesight possible could be a matter of life and death.

Maybe you’re an athlete who needs the precision of LASIK to spot the spin on a baseball or tennis ball. Or a photographer or artist who needs to see clearly. Or you’re an active, outdoor person who wants the freedom of being able to hike or climb or run or swim or surf without worrying about losing your glasses, or having problems with your contacts because of sand, dirt, water, grit or glare.

Or maybe you’re just an average person who wants to have great eyesight and not have to deal with the hassle of cleaning your contacts or groping on the nightstand for your glasses at night.

The question you should ask yourself is “How do I see myself benefiting from LASIK? What’s my definition of success with LASIK?”

And the answer, of course, depends on what you want LASIK to do for you.

Ask yourself what you hope to get out of LASIK. Why does great eyesight matter to you? And how are your glasses or contacts getting in your way? How do they keep you from living life the way you want?

Then sit down with a LASIK surgeon, talk about your goals, and find out whether you’re a good candidate for laser vision correction surgery.

You’ll be well on the way to your own LASIK success.