LASIK Risks and Complications
If you are considering having LASIK surgery, you likely are very interested in understanding what sort of risks and complications are associated with the procedure. Through this article, we share with you some of the more common risks and complications that are associated with LASIK.
Risks and Complications are Rare
Although it’s rare for a LASIK procedure to cause any permanent damage, it’s understandable that you would be concerned about it. After all, it is a surgery-your eye is being traumatized, even if only slightly.
The Success Rate for LASIK has Increased Over Time
The success rate of LASIK surgery procedures has increased over the years. Many people and organizations, including the United States military, have trusted LASIK to correct the vision of its members. Between the 1990s and today, complication rates have gone from 5% to 1%.
Common Risks and Complications
Even with this high success rate, some people still experience post-op difficulties. At www.fda.gov, you can find a list of risks and their explanations, some of which are:
- Visual aberrations, such as starbursts and halos
- Under- or over-treatment
- Dry eye syndrome
- Results that diminish over time
- Loss of vision
Other Risks of LASIK
Other risks involve specific choices, like monovision. Monovision is used to correct both nearsightedness and farsightedness. One eye is corrected for distance, and the other for close vision. While this seems like a convenience, remember that one eye will not be able to focus on distances, and depth perception will be reduced. Before you consider having this procedure, think about whether you would want to drive, operate dangerous machinery, or do close detailed work with only one eye. If your answer is yes, ask yourself if you would want to be out on the road in bad weather at night with others who can see distance with only one eye.
Make Sure You Have a Qualified and Experienced Doctor
A huge risk factor is the doctor. Don’t price shop-this decision is permanent. For less than a dollar a day over a year’s time, you can afford top-notch LASIK surgery. If you can’t, either get financing or wait until you can. Put a dollar in a jar every day for a year, then start interviewing surgeons.
Make Sure You Know What You Need to do to Care for Your Eyes After the Procedure
Also make sure you know how to care for your eyes after surgery. You will likely have a shield placed on your eye that the surgeon will remove in a day or two. Don’t remove it yourself. It’s there to protect your eye, and you could dislodge the corneal flap or cause infection.
Make sure you get other opinions about your procedure-don’t take the first doctor you visit until you have talked to others. The best defense against the risks and complications of LASIK eye surgery is education
|
