Negative Side Of Lasik

The first Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery was performed back in 1998. Since then, doctors all over the world have performed the surgery with a rather large success rate. Patients are generally pleased with their outcome. The negative, long-term effects are small, but they do exist and should be taken into consideration before surgery is performed.

Since the surgery has only been around for a decade, the long-term data is unknown. Patients who are 10 years post-op are just being seen. So, there is no data to show what vision for a Lasik patient will be in another 10 years. Another very common side effect of Lasik surgery is glare, halos and double vision that cause problems for patients while driving, especially at night or in dense fog. Unfortunately, those symptoms are untreatable; patients will just have to learn to adapt. There is not any type of procedure to fix it. Patients often can complain about severe dry eye syndrome. The patient can find themselves having to use lubricating eye drops every four to six hours, or they could even consider having plugs put into their tear ducts.

Technology is great; however, it is not perfect and as a result, the patient could suffer from being over-corrected or under-corrected. This would be corrected with glasses. Finally, Lasik is performed with a laser and a machine called a micro-keratome. The micro-keratome is placed on the patients cornea, and with a blade in tact, creates a flap on the cornea. This is another possible area of complication; the flap could be cut the wrong size and when that occurs, the surgery cannot be performed.

Lasik surgery has come a long way since it was first performed in 1998. Patients need to be aware of the negative effects and continue to ask their physician questions. As with any surgery, the risks and the benefits should be considered.