| Most patients who undergo refractive surgery are | | | | This is a very frequent laser eye surgery risk. |
| delighted with the results. However, just like any | | | | Only a small percentage of patients obtain 20/20 |
| other surgical procedure, there are also some | | | | vision after surgery without glasses or contacts. |
| risks that come with it. This is why it is very | | | | You may need additional treatment to enhance |
| important to be aware of the possible | | | | vision, but this is not always possible. Even if you |
| complications, effects and laser eye surgery risks. | | | | used to wear very weak prescription glasses |
| Here is a list of the most common laser eye | | | | before treatment, you may still need glasses or |
| surgery risks, and complications | | | | contact lenses afterwards. If you used to wear |
| In order to understand the complications, there | | | | reading glasses before, you might still need them |
| has to be a simple understanding of the | | | | after surgery. |
| procedure of Lasik eye surgery. Lasik eye | | | | Severe Dry Eye Syndrome |
| surgery involves the cutting of a small flap in the | | | | Another laser eye surgery risk is to develop |
| front covering of the eye or cornea. The flap is | | | | serious dry eye syndrome. After surgery, your |
| lifted so that the laser may reshape the eye and | | | | eyes might not be able to produce enough tears |
| then the flap is replaced as a type of bandage. | | | | for keeping moist. This not only produces |
| The flap is cut using a type of bladed instrument | | | | discomfort, by can also reduce quality vision due |
| called a "microkeratome" or else with a laser. The | | | | to permanent blurring and other problems. This |
| surgeon's preference determines what technology | | | | eye condition may be permanent. It is usually |
| is used. Using a laser to perform this portion of | | | | treated with intensive eye drop therapy, but |
| the procedure allows for more precision and, | | | | other procedures can also be used. |
| therefore, fewer complications are likely to arise. | | | | Results Diminishing with Age |
| Now, if the flap is not cut correctly it may fail to | | | | Another laser eye surgery risk is for results to |
| form properly to the surface of the eye. The flap | | | | decrease over time, especially in patients with |
| might also be cut too small or thin, which would | | | | farsighted vision. If your manifest refraction (an |
| cause wrinkling upon the attempt to adhere the | | | | exam with lenses before using dilating drops) |
| flap to the surface of the eye. These | | | | differs from your cyclopegic refraction (another |
| complications can lead to an irregularly shaped eye | | | | exam with lenses after applying dilating drops), |
| surface and in time may lead to astigmatism or | | | | the chances of getting this side effect are higher. |
| blurry vision. | | | | For newer technologies, there is not enough |
| Vision Loss | | | | research data available. As some of them have |
| After the procedure, a very small percentage of | | | | been developed only a few years ago, long-term |
| all patients experience a vision loss which cannot | | | | effectiveness and safety cannot be determined |
| be corrected with glasses, contacts or a second | | | | yet. Even though they are more advanced, they |
| surgery. This is a very rare, but very serious | | | | might have some unknown long-term side effects. |
| laser eye surgery risk. | | | | As with any surgical procedure, there are a |
| Debilitating Visual Symptoms | | | | variety of complications. Care must be taken to |
| Some patients experience halos, glare or double | | | | select the right Lasik eye surgeon for your |
| vision after surgery. This causes serious night | | | | specific needs and also to decide of Lasik eye |
| vision problems. Even if they have a good vision | | | | surgery is the right procedure for you. The most |
| on the vision chart, they may not see well at | | | | important factor in successful surgery is to find |
| night, in fog or in other situations of low contrast. | | | | an experienced surgeon, who will monitor your |
| They may even see worse in these situations | | | | follow up care, and be there with you if you find |
| than they did before treatment. | | | | yourself having any of these complications. |
| Under Treatment or Over Treatment | | | | |