Potential, But Rare, LASIK Complications
Millions of Americans have undergone LASIK surgery since its introduction in the United States more than 20 years ago. LASIK is very safe for the vast majority of individuals who undergo this procedure. It’s still important to be aware of the potential risks associated with LASIK surgery. Experienced LASIK surgeons report that serious complications happen in cases less than 1% of the time. While the risks associated with LASIK are relatively low, you should still be aware of them before setting up your procedure.
Most Common LASIK Complications
Some of the most common LASIK complications and side effects can be resolved relatively quickly with medical treatment, including vision disturbances, temporary discomfort, dry eyes, significant undercorrection, overcorrection, flap complications, regression and eye infection. Being aware of the potential risks makes it all the more important to identify the right LASIK surgeon to carry out your surgery. Luckily for you there is not much to worry about because LASIK has a very high success rate.
These procedures are made to treat hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia, (nearsightedness), and astigmatism. This can allow the patient to live without reliance on glasses or contacts after the surgery is complete. There are some LASIK complications that may threaten a patient’s sight, but these are extremely rare for patient outcomes. Significant loss of vision, for example, can usually be fixed with additional medical treatment or surgery, and these occurrences are relatively rare to begin with.
Determining whether or not you are an appropriate candidate for vision surgery is usually the second step. Your doctor will determine this after completing a comprehensive diagnostic exam to evaluate your suitability for LASIK. The doctor will evaluate refractive errors, eye moistness, to verify whether or not you have dry eye syndrome, the thickness and shape of your cornea, your pupil size, your medical history and general health, and whether any medications you’re currently taking could compromise your ability to recover from the surgery.
Bear in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery. Some issues may increase your risks including; dry eyes, unstable vision, large pupils, irregular corneas, age, pregnancy, active autoimmune or degenerative disorders and more.
The most common complications associated with a poor LASIK outcome include vision disturbances and temporary discomfort, such as mild irritation and sensitivity to light. Another potential complication has to do with creating a hinged flap at the front of the cornea. This is used to shape your eye during LASIK surgery.
If the flap is not made correctly, however, it may improperly adhere to the eye surface or wrinkles could eventually develop in the flap, this could lead to distorted vision and aberrations. Many people who have LASIK surgery also experience a decrease in tear production that can lead to blurred vision, dry eye and eye discomfort. This is usually temporary and can be treated effectively with lubricating eye drop medications.
Not every person will be capable of achieving 20/20 vision after LASIK eye surgery. Eyeglasses or contact lenses may still be required for some or all activities in rare cases. In the event that the laser removes too little corneal tissue or too much, the healing response of the eye is limited and your visual outcome will be less than optimal.
The majority of these complications are extremely rare and can be treated effectively with the help of a knowledgeable physician as soon as possible after the procedure. Learn more about how LASIK surgery can benefit you, visit our website today or contact us.