Carson Danfield asked:


Refractive surgery (LASIK) often produces amazing results, however, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. If you’re considering LASIK, it’s important that you are aware of the limitations and possible complications that may arise.

According to FDA reports, nearly 100% of LASIK patients have good results and no complications, but you need to be aware that there are things that can and do go wrong. Some problems include double or triple vision, light distortion so severe that patients can’t drive at night, or eyes so dry that they have to wear goggles when going outside.

Some patients experience infections, inflammation of the eye, redness, blurriness or eye irritation. In many cases, LASIK eye surgery can eliminate your need for corrective lenses, but that’s not always the result. Sometimes, LASIK will drastically reduce your dependence on corrective lenses, but you may still require corrective lenses for some activities, such as reading. It’s best to think of LASIK as reducing your dependency upon corrective lenses – not necessarily as eliminating your need for them.

Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a post operative LASIK risk that happens when a foreign substance, such as a hair or speck of dirt gets trapped behind the corneal flap. If this happens to you, you may experience pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, along with the sensation that something is trapped in your eye. Rubbing will only intensify the problem and may lead to further complications, such as infection or tearing or dislodging of the corneal flap. Diffuse lamellar keratitis usually occurs as the result of the patient not exercising proper precautions during the healing period after LASIK eye surgery.

One of the most common complications of LASIK eye surgery is a slipped flap. The flap that was created during the LASIK procedure may become detached from the rest of the cornea. Most doctors recommend that you go home and sleep for several hours after completing the LASIK procedure in order to allow the cornea to start its healing process. That’s good advice and can substantially reduce your chances of experiencing a slipped flap.

Even without LASIK eye surgery, it’s expected that everyone’s eyes will change slightly with the passage of time – it’s just a natural part of life. After LASIK, your eyes will still follow their natural course of changing with time, so LASIK shouldn’t necessarily be considered a permanent solution. For most people however, their vision will not change enough to require any additional treatments, especially when the original procedure was done to correct for poor distant vision.

The information provided here is not intended to scare you away from LASIK eye surgery, since it has been a blessing to a great many people. For many who have chosen LASIK, it has meant that they are no longer dependent on corrective lenses in order to have good vision. It’s highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about LASIK and how any possible risks or side effects relate to your own personal circumstances.

Carson Danfield asked:


In the vast majority of cases, recovery from LASIK eye surgery is quick and uneventful. However, as with most all medical procedures, there are certain risks, ut if you take the recommended precautions, you’ll have little to worry about.

One of the most important aspects in promoting the healing process is to avoid dry eyes. Dry eyes can act like an abrasive to the cornea and invite infection. You’ll want to use artificial tear drops on a regular basis during healing, especially if you sense dryness. An additional unwanted side effect of dryness is the increased tendency to want to rub your eyes.

Rubbing, particularly during the first week or two should be strictly avoided. Rubbing can scratch the cornea or even worse – it can cause the corneal flap to become detached, requiring medical assistance for correction.

During the first four hours after LASIK eye surgery, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to be applied frequently, usually at 15 minute intervals. These medications will usually consist of steroids to promote healing and antibiotics to prevent infection. Be sure to adhere to the prescribed regimen of applying these medications.

You may want to limit reading, watching television or working at the computer for the first couple of days after LASIK eye surgery. Even though you’ll notice a marked improvement in your vision, you may be subject to headaches if you overdo things during the early stages of your recovery.

Avoid any dusty areas or anywhere that has particulate matter in the air. For example, don’t mow the lawn, as the mower can still up grass clippings or other debris that can enter your eyes and cause complications. Also be aware that pet hair can sometimes float in the air and get in your eyes, even if you don’t notice the intrusion.

Be careful when showering so that you don’t allow the stream of water to hit your eyes. Also, don’t allow soap or shampoo to enter your eyes. Avoid steam rooms and swimming pools during the healing process. It’s also a good idea to forego any strenuous exercise or sports activities. It’s important that you protect your eyes from any undue pressure and don’t let any foreign objects come into contact with your eyes.

During the healing process, you may notice that your eyes are very sensitive to bright light, so be sure to wear sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Complications during recovery from LASIK eye surgery are rare, but they do occur. If you notice anything questionable during your recovery period, be sure to consult with your doctor immediately.