LASIK Risks

Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries certain benefits and risks. When performed by an experienced LASIK surgeon, complications are very unlikely. Experienced eye surgeons know how to carefully screen candidates for the surgery, and they can perform the procedure precisely.

Some of the rare but serious risks of LASIK include:

• Overcorrection and undercorrection: When your LASIK surgery removes more or less corneal tissue than planned, over or undercorrection may occur.
• Corneal flap complications: Some possible flap problems include wrinkling of the flap, inflammation beneath the flap, and bulging of the cornea.
• Astigmatism: If corneal tissue is not precisely removed, LASIK can actually cause astigmatism.

Although these complications sound scary, they do not happen often and they can typically be corrected. You can help prevent these problems by following your eye surgeon's postoperative instructions, as these guidelines are meant to encourage successful healing and recovery.

Another important way to prevent LASIK complications is to choose your eye surgeon carefully. Look for someone with experience in the procedure, and ask about his or her complication rate. You should feel confident that your eye surgeon has the education, experience and knowledge to perform LASIK safely and effectively.

To learn more about LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.