LASIK - What are the Risks Involved?

The risks related to LASIK are not so much due to flaws in technology, as due to inefficiency in handling the technology. The risks are results or consequences when surgeons do not administer the treatment well and patients do not choose surgeons well. If the procedure is carried out as it should be, it is close to perfect, and patients will not develop any permanent damage. However, in the rare case that you’re not sure of your surgeon’s credentials, it will help to know what you stand to lose. This section deals with what might go wrong with LASIK surgery for various reasons.

Symptoms like halos, glares or double vision that hamper vision during night-time or in fog are developed with some patients. Not all patients attain perfect 20/20 vision - many still need glasses after surgery or require additional treatment. Some patients develop permanent dry eyes that cause much discomfort and blurring of images. Many complications arise due to flawed cutting of the flap. Some common complications are:

Irregular astigmatism: Develops when laser correction is not centered properly on the eye, causing one to see double images.

Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis: Occurs when foreign matter gets collected beneath the corneal flap causing inflammation that at times can lead to scarring. In rare cases there might be permanent vision loss if treatment is not sought immediately.

At times the corneal flap is cut too deeply or too much tissue is removed from the cornea. This condition is called keratectasia or keratoconus. It results in distorted images that cannot be corrected with further laser treatments. Rigid contact lenses or implants are then used to hold the cornea in place.

Dry Eyes are a very common symptom that occurs for about 6 months to a year after the surgery. Artificial tear drops and prescription dry eye medication can provide some relief in this case. The symptom very rarely becomes permanent, unless the patient has been suffering from this condition prior to the surgery. Such patients are however, eliminated as candidates for surgeries.

At times, due to carelessness on the surgeon’s part, you might be overcorrected or under corrected leading to less than optimal vision. This happens when the diagnosis is incorrect or when the specifications are not accurately programmed into the software guiding the laser.

Patients at times develop eye infections, irritation and inflammation requiring antibiotic eye drops and anti inflammatory medication. Such infections happen particularly when the blade device (microkeratome) is used to cut the flap as opposed to the laser keratome.

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