LASIK Complications

All surgeries are accompanied by certain inherent risks, and LASIK is no exception. However, due to advances in LASIK technology, the procedure experiences one of the highest success rates of any type of surgery. Serious complications only occur in approximately 1-5% of all LASIK cases.

By choosing the right LASIK surgeon, you can greatly increase the likelihood that your procedure will go smoothly. Experience is very important when it comes to success in LASIK procedures. It is important to choose an eye surgeon who has performed hundreds of the exact same type of procedure as you are receiving on patients with similar refractive errors.

While rare, complications do occur on occasion. However, many patients can have their complications corrected with a follow-up procedure. The following are some of the most common LASIK complications.

Irregular Astigmatism

In rare cases, LASIK can cause your cornea to warp from scarring. This generally occurs when the laser is not properly centered on your eye, leading to the development of astigmatism. Symptoms may include:

Double vision
“Ghost images”

Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK)

Diffuse lamellar keratitis can develop after your surgery if foreign matter gets trapped behind the corneal flap. Symptoms generally become present within a week of surgery and include:

Pain
Sensitivity to light
Blurred vision
A sensation that something is trapped in your eye

DLK is one of the most serious LASIK complications and if untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. However, the condition is easily corrected using antibiotics and topical steroids.

Overcorrection/Undercorrection

If overcorrection or undercorrection occurs, you will experience a less than ideal result. Often, your vision will not be clear, causing you to require corrective lenses. Overcorrection and undercorrection is caused by an inaccurate diagnosis or by incorrect settings being programmed into the software guiding the laser during surgery. In extreme cases, you may require an additional procedure to correct the issue.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes affect approximately half of all LASIK patients during the first six months following surgery. As your eyes heal, this problem generally diminishes. Most people do not experience any problem with dry eyes for longer than one year following surgery.

Remedies for dry eyes include artificial tears, prescription dry eye medication, and oral flaxseed oil capsules. People who are prone to dry eyes may not be suitable candidates for LASIK.

Infection

All surgery comes with the risk of infection. While rare, some LASIK patients may develop an eye infection following the procedure. These infections are generally easily treated with antibiotic eye drops. Infections are more common when a microkeratome blade is used to cut the corneal flap or with surface ablation procedures such as PRK.

Please contact an eye doctor in your area to learn more about the complications associated with LASIK surgery.