Lasik Eye Surgery Risks and Possible Complications -
Are You a Good Candidate for Lasik Eye Surgery?
Know the Facts:

The Facts about Lasik Eye Surgery

• Lasik is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have had Lasik eye surgery, most very successfully.
• As with any surgery, there are risks and possible complications with Lasik eye surgery.
• Lasik surgery may not give you perfect vision.The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision.
• If you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you’ll still need reading glasses around age 45.
• Lasik eye surgery is too new to know if there are any long-term ill effects beyond five years after surgery.
• Lasik surgery cannot be reversed.
• Most insurance does not cover Lasik eye surgery.
• You may need additional surgery —called “enhancements” — to get the best possible vision after Lasik eye surgery.

Are You a Good Candidate for
Lasik?

Lasik surgery is not for everyone.
• You should be at least 18 years old (21 for some lasers), since the vision of people younger than 18 usually continues to change.
• You should not be pregnant or nursing as
these conditions might change the measured
refraction of the eye.
• You should not be taking certain prescription drugs, such as Accutane or oral prednisone.
• Your eyes must be healthy and your prescription stable. If you’re myopic, you should postpone Lasik until your refraction has stabilized, as myopia may continue to increase in some patients until their mid- to late 20s.
• You should be in good general health. Lasik eye surgery may not be recommended for patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes infections of the eye, or cataracts. You should discuss this with your lasik eye surgeon.
• Weigh the risks and rewards of lasik eye surgery. If you’re happy wearing contacts or glasses, you may want to forego lasik surgery on your eyes.
• Understand your expectations from the lasik surgery. Are they realistic?
• Ask your doctor if you’re a candidate for mono vision — correcting one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Lasik eye surgery cannot correct presbyopia so that one eye can see at both distance and near. However, Lasik eye surgery can be used to correct one eye for distance and the other for near. If you can adjust to this correction, it may eliminate or reduce your need for reading glasses. In some instances, surgery on only one eye is required. If your doctor thinks you’re a candidate,
ask about the pros and cons.

Lasik Eye Surgery Risks and Possible Complications

Before the surgery, your surgeon should explain to you the risks and possible complications,and potential side effects, including the pros and cons of having one or both eyes done on the same day. This is the “informed consent” process. Some risks and possible complications include:

• Over- or under-correction. These problems can often be improved with glasses, contact lenses and enhancements.
• Corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism (permanent warping of the cornea), and an inability to wear contact lenses.
• Corneal infection. Facts for Consumers
• “Loss of best corrected visual acuity” — that is, you would not be able to see as well after surgery, even with glasses or contacts, as you did with glasses or contacts before surgery.
• A decrease in contrast sensitivity, “crispness,” or sharpness. That means that even though you may have 20/20 vision, objects may appear fuzzy or grayish.
• Problems with night driving that may require glasses.
• Flap problems, including: irregular flaps, incomplete flaps, flaps cut off entirely, and ingrowth of cells under the flap.

The following side effects are possible, but usually disappear over time. In rare situations, they may be permanent.

• Discomfort or pain
• Hazy or blurry vision
• Scratchiness
• Dryness
• Glare
• Haloes or starbursts around lights
• Light sensitivity
• Small pink or red patches on the white of the eye

Be informed about the dangers of Lasik Eye Surgery before getting Lasik!

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