The Risks Involved in LASIK Surgery
Most individuals who make the decision to undergo LASIK surgery are pleased with the end result. However like any other type of surgery, this form of refractive surgery carries with it a certain amount of risk. It is important to get all of the facts before undergoing LASIK surgery and to fully comprehend both the risks as well as the benefits that this form of surgery allows. Let’s take a closer look at the risks involved. Be aware that these risks are more of the exception as opposed to the rule and only happen in a minimum amount of cases.
After undergoing LASIK surgery some patients find that they lose a certain amount of their vision as opposed to gaining it back. In extreme cases even resorting to wearing glasses or contact lenses again will not correct the problem and neither will undergoing surgery. This however is not very common and often is a symptom of a more serious health problem or is due to error on the part of the ophthalmologist.
Sometimes unpleasant visual symptoms are part and parcel of having LASIK surgery. For example some patients find that they develop halos, double vision or glare and find that it particularly affects how they see at night. Even when results from the vision chart in the eye doctor’s office is positive, some patients find that after LASIK they cannot see as well in circumstances that are of low contrast such as for example when it is foggy outside or in the dark of night.
Some people who undergo LASIK surgery do not receive the right amount of laser therapy and end up being under or over treated. In other words, it is too much or not enough. While no exact numbers are known, only a certain amount of people are able to have 20/20 vision after LASIK surgery without still requiring the use of contact lenses or glasses. In some incidences more treatment may be needed but sometimes additional treatment is not a reality. Be aware that it is likely that you will still require your glasses and/or contact lenses after undergoing LASIK surgery. Often your lenses prescription will not be as strong as it was before the surgery but you still may require one form or another of corrective lenses to perform certain tasks such as driving at night or working for hours on a computer. It is also often the case that those who needed glasses for reading before their surgery will still need them after the surgery.
Dry eye syndrome plagues some people after LASIK surgery and in some cases it can be severe. Surgery of the eye often makes it more difficult for the eye to naturally produce an ample amount of tears to make sure the eye remains comfortable and moist as it is meant to be. Suffering from dry eye can cause irritation and discomfort but it can also decrease how well you see due to such things as intermittent blurring. Dry eye syndrome after LASIK surgery is a reality for many people and often this is a lasting condition. The solutions for the problem can be intensive eye drop therapy, plugs or a variety of other options. If you suffer from dry eye syndrome due to LASIK, discuss your options with your doctor.
Tags: lasik surgery risk, dry eye syndrome, lasik surgery
