The vast majority of patients who undergo laser eye surgery are quite pleased with the results of their surgery. However, as with any medical or surgical procedure, there is a certain degree of risk involved, and possible complications cannot be discounted. The risk of possible complications versus the benefits of laser eye surgery should be carefully weighed by the patient prior to committing to the procedure. A few of the possible complications are briefly addressed below:
- Under or over treatment. The possibility that you may require additional treatments or that you may still require glasses or contacts after your surgery. It is important to understand that only a certain percentage of patients will actually achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts.
- Possibility of infection or delayed healing. There is a slight chance of corneal infection which is slightly higher with PRK than LASIK.
- Loss of vision. As a result of treatment some patients may lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected by any further surgical treatment or glasses.
- Debilitating visual symptoms. Some patients develop halos, glare, double vision, or difficulties seeing at night or in low contrast light.
- Severe dry eye syndrome. This can be uncomfortable condition as well as impair visual acuity. It may become a permanent condition, and can require the use of intensive eye drop therapy.
- Results of laser eye surgery may not always be as good as hoped in patients with large refractive errors. The possibility of requiring contacts or glasses even after laser eye surgery exists.
- Results may also diminish with age, particularly with patients who are farsighted (hyperopia)
Its is important to keep in mind that LASIK in particular is a relatively new eye laser surgery technology. Long term data regarding complications, risk, safety, and effectiveness simply do not exist. The possibility of complications should be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon during your initial consultation.