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.

Like any surgery, LASIK eye surgery does have it's fair share of risks and possible complications.

Before going for LASIK, have your surgeon explain to you what these risks are. It's part of the process.

I've described some of them here so that you can have some idea too:

- Over-correction or under-correction. While such errors may occur, it can be easily overcome with a pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Of course, in this case, the refractive error is much less than before the surgery.

- Your cornea is at risk of being scarred, possibly resulting in worse astigmatism, and even the inability to put on contact lenses.

- Like any surgery, there is also a risk of infection in LASIK.

- Ok, this one I don't like…it's called "Loss of best corrected visual acuity". What this means is that, there is a possibility you will not see clearly after surgery, even with eyeglasses or contact lenses. How lame is that!

- You ability to see things "sharply" may drop. So even if you have 20/20 vision, objects might still appear a little blurry.

- You might need a pair of eyeglasses while driving after dark.

- The flap that has been cut open might develop complications.

I know it suddenly seems scary right now, doesn't it? I was also hesitant at first.

What you can do is start by choosing the right surgeon.

Then, discuss with your eye doctor, and have realistic expectations for yourself.

Only when you are sure, and confirmed that you are a suitable candidate, should you go for LASIK eye surgery.

If you are considering refractive surgery such as LASIK to correct your vision problems, your eye care provider will screen you to see if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery. Here is what you need to know when deciding if LASIK surgery is right for you.

LASIK vision correction is effective in correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Presbyopia, a condition that requires reading glasses in older patients, cannot be corrected with LASIK surgery. When you have LASIK surgery the surgeon will reshape your cornea by vaporizing tissue with an ultraviolet laser.

Before you allow someone to do this to your eyeballs, you should probably do your homework about LASIK surgery. Talk to friends and family members that have undergone the surgery ask about their experiences. There are risks and side effects to LASIK surgery so it is best to know what you are getting into ahead of time.

Your eye doctor will evaluate you to decide if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery. Not everyone is a good candidate; if your corneas are too thin for example LASIK will not be possible. Your ophthalmologist will cover all of the risks involved before you agree to LASIK surgery. You can learn more about LASIK vision correction by visiting the website LasikEssentials.com