LASIK surgery is a safe and effective vision correction surgery, and vision-threatening complications are rare. However, as with all surgeries, there is a risk of unwanted side effects. Some of the side effects will improve over time for most patients; others might involve further procedures or medical treatment. However, there also can be some side effects that are more serious.
Overcorrection/Undercorrection
According to the All About Vision website, during the LASIK procedure, the surgeon will use a laser to remove a specific amount of tissue that was determined by a computer program to correct the vision. However, each person does not always respond to the laser the same way. This might lead to either too much correction or too little correction. The surgeon will monitor the eye for a few months to follow the eye's progress and to see if any further corrections need to be made. The surgeon might need to perform an enhancement procedure; if this doesn't work, glasses or contact lenses might be needed.
Glare
The Academy of Ophthalmology notes that some patients have problems with glare and night vision for the first couple of months after the LASIK procedure. For most patients, these symptoms will go away. The technology of the laser has improved in recent years, so glare might be less common than it was in LASIK's early days. If the problem persists, glasses for night vision might be helpful.
Infection
Infection is a risk with all surgical procedures.To prevent this, the surgeon will prescribe antibiotic eye drops after the procedure. It is important for the patient to use the medication as prescribed, but avoiding situations right after surgery that can bring the eye into contact with infectious agents is equally important.
Dry Eye
It is typical to develop irritation and grittiness after the LASIK procedure, and this usually lasts for about three months, according to the Academy of Ophthalmology. Using artificial tear drops can help alleviate the discomfort. If the dry eye lasts for longer or the tears are not working, the surgeon might place plugs into the tear drainage channels to keep the moisture from flowing away from the eyes so quickly.
Epithelial Ingrowth
The Medical Management Services Group describes the side effect of epithelial ingrowth on the website See With LASIK.com. Epithelial ingrowth occurs when a few epithelial cells get caught and begin to grow under the LASIK flap. This can cause blurry vision because the flap is disrupted. The surgeon can lift the flap, clean the epithelial cells out and replace the flap.
Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis
Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a rare condition that occurs when there is inflammation between the flap and the tissue underneath it. As noted by Marilyn Haddrill on the All About Vision website, the eye doctor will treat this condition with corticosteroid eye drops, and for most patients, the condition will resolve. If not, the surgeon can lift the flap and irrigate the area to clear out the inflammation.
Corneal Flap Problems
Even if the corneal flap is made correctly, it might not lay on the eye properly. The flap might be too thin or too thick, or the flap might become wrinkled. In the April 2006 edition of the "American Journal of Ophthalmology," Steven Schallhorn and colleagues noted that flap complications occurred in 0.3 percent to 5.7 percent of LASIK procedures. Experienced LASIK surgeons are generally able to manage these types of complications, including retreatment if necessary. However, there is a slight risk that best corrected vision might be lost.
References
- Get Eye Smart
- Wolf Eye Clinic
- Weill Cornell
- See With LASIK: LASIK Risks and Complications
- "American Journal of Ophthalmology"; Avoidance, Recognition, and Management of LASIK Complications; Schallhorn SC et al; 2006.
