Lasik eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the front part of the eye, in order to improve vision and reduce dependence on prescription contacts or glasses. Many patients who undergo this relatively simple procedure have no problems. Anyone considering Lasik, however, must know the possible complications in order to make the best, long-term decisions for improved vision.
Dry Eye
After the Lasik procedure, many patients complain of dry eyes. The eyes feel scratchy and irritated, requiring use of artificial tears. These symptoms often decrease over time, but may last many months or even permanently. For severe cases, doctors may prescribe eye drops to increase the production of natural tears or recommend continued, frequent use of artificial tears.
Vision
Patients choose to have the Lasik procedure to improve vision and reduce the need for corrective eye glasses or contacts. Some patients, however, have worse vision after the laser surgery than prior to Lasik. This may occur from an error in calculation or an unknown cause. In some cases, vision loss is permanent, and glasses or contacts will not return lost vision. Patients who have Lasik do not always have a perfect 20/20 after surgery, though patients often expect this outcome. Potential patients should consider that surgeons perform Lasik to reduce dependence on eye wear; it is not a guarantee of perfect eyesight.
Glare
After Lasik, some patients find glare extremely bothersome. Halos around headlights or streetlights may make night driving difficult. Doctors do not have a treatment for the problem, though some patients find that glare symptoms improve over time. Other patients try to adjust to the glare and avoid night driving. People with naturally large pupils tend to have a higher risk for glare problems after Lasik.
Flap Complications
Doctors perform Lasik surgery by cutting a nearly complete circle of the top layer of cornea, then folding it over. Doctors refer to this folded layer as the flap. After completing the correction procedure, the doctor returns the flap over the eye and smoothes out any wrinkles. Over time, the flap heals. During the healing process, however, if the patient rubs her eye, the flap may move out of position. This can cause damage to the eye and vision if not repositioned by the surgeon. After surgery, the doctor provides goggles to wear at night for protection. As well, doctors give a list of specific instructions to help ensure that the flap remains in place.
Infection
Like any surgery, an infection may occur after Lasik. Lasik surgeons often prescribe antibiotic eye drops for patients to use for a period of time after the surgery to prevent an infection. If infection does occur, symptoms may include blurred vision and a deep ache inside the eye. Most infections respond to antibiotic treatment and vision returns to normal as the eye heals.
