Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
"Risks and Complications"

All eye surgery carries risk, but LASIK has fewer risks compared to cataract surgery or corneal transplantation. Not all possible risks can be listed here. Some of the most important are stated below.*

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It is possible that not all of an individual’s myopia will be corrected by surgery so that some of the original eye prescription remains. This is called under correction. In myopia the distance vision is improved over the uncorrected pre-surgical vision. If a myopic patient is in the age range of presbyopia, he or she may be able to read comfortably without reading glasses. If there is significant under correction for a myopic patient, the reading vision will be good, but the distance vision without glasses will, in almost all instances, be improved over the pre-surgical vision but will not be as good as expected. For mild under correction, glasses may be prescribed. For significant under correction, further surgery (repeat LASIK, RK or PRK) may be recommended. Another alternative is to wear glasses or hard contact lenses (following corneal surgery, the eye usually does not benefit to a great degree from a soft contact lens).

The surgery could correct more myopia than intended. This is termed surgical over correction. A mild amount of over correction. of myopia is usually well tolerated so that distance and reading vision are minimally affected. If a significant over correction. for myopia occurs, distance vision is blurry, and near vision is also blurry, especially if the patient is in the presbyopic age range. This condition is hyperopia. For significant over correction., further surgery (repeat LASIK or PRK) may be recommended. Another alternative is to wear glasses or hard contact lenses (following corneal surgery, the eye usually does not benefit to a great degree from a soft contact lens).

Early side effects of any corneal surgery include light sensitivity and glare. These symptoms are usually gone within days of surgery, but they have been reported to last for months. The cause may be due to poor healing of the surface of the cornea, surface cells trapped within the layers of the cornea, decentration of the optical center of the procedure compared to the patient’s actual visual center, infection or an allergic or toxic reaction to the post-op eye drops. Treatment is directed toward the cause.

If the surgical procedure is not centered on the patient’s visual center, double vision may result. Treatment could consist of repeat LASIK or recentering the corneal cap. Glasses or contact lenses may reduce or eliminate the symptoms. A standard corneal transplant may very rarely need to be performed.

Any surgical procedure carries risk of infection. The surgeons at Gordon Binder Weiss Vision Institute use every precaution to prevent infection at the time of surgery, and antibiotics are prescribed after surgery to prevent infection. Permanent corneal scarring from any of the above-mentioned complications could lead to permanent vision loss.*This is not meant to provide an informed consent. Discuss all risks and complications in detail with your physician.

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