Final answer:
A fixed percentage error in LASIK surgery means that those needing greater correction may experience larger absolute errors and poorer outcomes. High corrections amplify the impact of any set uncertainty, leading to potential vision distortions post-LASIK. Advances in medicine continue to improve our ability to correct various vision defects and diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
If there is a fixed percent uncertainty in LASIK reshaping of the cornea, those with the greatest correction would have a poorer chance of normal distant vision after the procedure because any percentage-based error scales with the magnitude of correction. This means that for higher corrections, a fixed percentage represents a larger absolute error, leading to a greater potential for vision distortion after LASIK surgery. In other words, the more significant the initial vision problem that requires correction, the more likely the person is to experience less-than-optimal outcomes due to the fixed percent uncertainty.
Moreover, it is important to consider various vision defects such as astigmatism, which affects the symmetry of focus within the eye, leading to distorted images. Treatments such as LASIK aim to correct these asymmetries, often with great success; however, the higher the degree of correction needed, the more the procedure's uncertainties come into play, potentially affecting the quality of the ultimate vision correction achieved.
Recent advancements in vision correction go beyond LASIK. For example, the replacement of cataract-clouded lenses with an internal lens can provide perfect distant vision; however, the individual might still require glasses for reading depending on the power of the intraocular lens compared to the removed lens. The field of vision correction is continually evolving, incorporating new technologies and techniques to address various conditions, including retinal diseases and vision defects caused by physical changes to the eye's lens or cornea.