Downsides of Lasik

Lasik eye surgery has been very successful for many people, but it is not without dangers or side effects. Like any surgical procedure, there are risks and problems that must be considered before you decide to have the procedure done. Beyond the obvious problems of infection or failure of the procedure to work, there are other common complications of which you need to be aware. Some of these are merely annoying, but some are major.

The most common side effects are halos, glare and poor night vision. The halos are most prominent in dim light situations and can disrupt vision to the point that you cannot function. Glare occurs in bright light situations and can be equally as dangerous as halos in dim light. Another complication is dry eye, where you no longer produce enough tears and your eyes feel dry and grainy all the time. This can be relieved with artificial tears or further surgery to increase the size of the tear ducts.

The most problematic complications have to do with the fact that Lasik is a surgical procedure. Over-correction and under-correction can only be corrected by more surgery and Lasik is very expensive. It is also not covered by most insurance. Sometimes the corneal flap that is created to re-shape the eye does not heal properly and forms a distorted shape. Even a perfect procedure can regress, causing loss of the good vision created by the Lasik procedure. It is wise to weigh both the benefits and the risks before opting for Lasik surgery.