What Are The Risks Associated With Lasik?

Laser eye surgery risks may be of concern if you are considering having the procedure done. The risks are minimal but there are some.

Due to the increased rate of positive outcome for laser eye surgery, the procedure has grown in popularity. Therefore the number of eye surgeons has also grown. When you are considering having the procedure the number one factor in reducing the risk of complications is to choose a competent surgeon. Check the credentials of the doctor who will be performing your laser eye surgery and ask people who have used that surgeon about their experience.

Beyond choosing the correct doctor to perform your procedure there are some risks involved. There have been some reports of difficulties with night vision, 'flap' dislocation and over correction or under correction. Difficulty with night vision following laser eye surgery may result in it looking like there are 'halos' surrounding bright lights or lights may look extended like sun bursts. This is a result of the pupil widening past the treated area at night. Flap dislocation can happen when the 'flap' that was made during surgery is no longer in the correct position following surgery. If it has begun to heal in the incorrect position then another laser eye surgery will be necessary to correct it. If over correction or under correction occurs, meaning that the inside layers of the cornea where not shaped correctly, then another surgery will need to be preformed to correct it.

Laser eye surgery risks will vary according to certain risk factors in certain patients as well. If a patient has large pupils or a very large refractive error in their sight the results of the surgery may not be as good and the patient may still require the use of eye glasses. Only a certain number of patients actually achieve 20/20 vision following the procedure.

Although laser eye surgery risks have decreased over the years, the patient must remember that this is still surgery and there is always a risk associated with surgery. Above are listed only a few of the possible complications following laser eye surgery and the risks should be discussed fully with a competent surgeon. Laser eye surgery risks have also decreased due to the fact that patients are screened more carefully and not all people will be accepted as candidates for the procedure. If the patient is not a good candidate for the procedure or the laser eye surgery risks are too great, a well versed eye surgeon or ophthalmologist will be able to offer an alternative.