LASIK Eye Surgery Risks

Lasik Surgery poses risks inherent in all surgery. Since surgery is an invasive procedure in your body, Lasik eye surgery is no exception. Studies in the 1990s confirm that up to 5% of LASIK surgery patients experienced some problems after surgery.

Fortunately, today's LASIK surgeons are able to keep the percentage of people suffering from LASIK eye surgery risks down to less than 1%. This may be due to more thorough screening of the candidates. LASIK eye surgery risks rarely include the possibility of permanent or significant vision loss or the chance that your eyesight could be worse than it was before the surgery.

LASIK eye surgery risks usually pertain to LASIK flaps. These flaps refer to the cutting and lifting of flaps when the cornea is cut to enable the actual eye to be re-shaped by the laser. The flap is then put back into place, forming a "natural bandage." In traditional LASIK procedures, these flaps were cut by a bladed instrument called a microkeratome. Today, flaps are usually cut with a laser, a technology known as IntraLase. As a result of this technology, LASIK eye surgery risks are reduced because of increased accuracy and fewer flap complications.

However, IntraLase is a considerably more expensive option. Potential candidates may have the option of having their cornea cut by laser or by blade. Also, candidates are given the choice of traditional LASIK, which addresses vision anomalies such as astigmatism or myopia, or custom LASIK, which deals with more obscure irregularities in the eye.

LASIK eye surgery risks are often related to whether the flaps are cut correctly or not. If the flaps are cut incorrectly, there is the possibility that the cornea may not stick to the surface of the eye. If the flap is cut too thin or thick, it may wrinkle after being placed back on the eye. This will result in an irregular eye shape and can distort vision. This condition is often referred to as irregular astigmatism.

Irregular astigmatism that is due to a less then smooth surface of the cornea can also become a LASIK eye surgery risk if the laser correction is not centered correctly on the eye. This LASIK eye surgery risk may lead to conditions commonly known as double vision or ghost images. In this case, re-treatment or enhancement of the eye may be necessary. Additionally, swelling or irregular healing of the cornea can cause ghost images and double vision. Most often, when the healing process takes its course, these problems will usually correct themselves.

Other possible LASIK eye surgery risks may include night vision problems such as the appearance of halos, and possible glare surrounding brightly lit objects. Some patients also experience infection, inflammation of the eye, dry eye, redness, visual bluriness and eye irritation.