What Are The Most Common LASIK Eye Surgery Complications

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What Are The Most Common LASIK Eye Surgery Complications
LASIK and other types of laser eye surgery have an excellent safety profile and a high success rate. These procedures are designed to treat near-sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism, allowing you to live without contacts or glasses. But just like any other surgery, there are potential LASIK eye surgery complications, risks, side effects and limitations you need to be fully aware of before you choose to go through the procedure. Majority of people never have complications laser eye surgery, but you might have wondered what risks such procedure entrails.

Common Lasik Eye Surgery Complications

Below are some of the most common possible laser eye surgery risks. It is important that you discuss these with your optometrist or eye surgeon before your procedure. Remember, though, that most patients do not experience side effects of LASIK surgery, but complications do happen, so can never be too sure that everything will run smoothly as planned. There are also common side effects that are more common in the early post-operative period. These mostly resolve over time but some may not. LASIK eye surgery risks and complications include:

1. Dry eyes – These is a common and most temporary side effect of LASIK. All refractive surgery patients are asked to use artificial tears in the early post-operative period. This dry eye feeling, which can be gritty or sandy, usually disappears after 3 to 6 months. You doctor might prescribe additional eye drops. If you already have dry eyes, PRK might be a better option for you.

2. Infection – Infection can occur after LASIK or PRK. It is important to attend all your early post-operative appointments and use all the prescribed medications. An eye infection can be treated with medicine, including antibiotic drops, but some cases might require additional treatment. Contact your doctor immediately for any vision changes or increase in discomfort.

3. Residual refractive error – Patients that have very high prescriptions might not get as good initial results as those with a lower prescription. If significant, residual refractive error (which can be an over-correction or an under-correction) can usually be fixed with a follow-up procedure that is usually called an enhancement.

4. Keratoectasia – This condition can occur if the patient has an underlying corneal disease like keratoconus. The main symptoms are increased astigmatism that causes blurred vision and a loss in the patient’s corrected vision. Note that this condition is very rare and your doctor will complete testing before the surgery to try to point out any underlying corneal disease.

5. Regression – The result of a LASIK patient may regress with time. Many LASIK providers, though, offer enhancements, sometimes for life, if your vision regresses after surgery and additional surgery is safe to perform. Ensure that you know the policy of your LASIK surgeon when it comes to enhancements and the charges that are associated with them before scheduling the surgery.

6. Glare and halos – Disturbances in night vision like glare and halos are potential risks for LASIK. Glare and halos affect the way your eyes see light, most at night or in dimly lit conditions. In most but not all cases, these symptoms decrease over time. Very few patients report significant night vision disturbances, even a year following the LASIK surgery.

7. Flap complications – Among patients who went through bladeless LASIK flap complications occur in less than half of 1%. Following LASIK, it is important to let the flaps heal by not bumping or rubbing your eyes. If there is eye injury, the flap can be slightly moved, which results to the wrinkling of the flap. If this happens, you might have to go back to your doctor to correct this.

8. Vision complications – It is very rare for LASIK surgery to worsen vision. This makes it very important that you carefully choose your LASIK surgeon and to ensure that he uses the most updated technology in performing his treatments and surgeries.

9. Epithelial ingrowth – At times, during the healing process, corneal tissue grows under the LASIK flap. This occurrence is called ‘epithelial growth.’ Symptoms of epithelial ingrowth include slight discomfort and blurred vision if epithelial growth affects the vision of the patient. The surgeon can perform additional surgery to remove this excess tissue.

Choose Reputable Lasik Eye Surgeon To Avoid Complications

Know that this is not a comprehensive list of LASIK risk and complications. There are some patients that may be risk for fewer or more complications. Your doctors should tell you which risks are involved with your procedure and specific to your eyes. Choosing an experienced, trustworthy surgeon can reduce your LASIK risks. This is also true for picking a LASIK surgeon who uses the most updated LASIK technology.