Have you heard about LASIK but are unsure if it’s the right choice for you? LASIK eye surgery has transformed the lives of millions by correcting their vision, but it’s crucial to understand both the potential benefits and risks.
In this article, we’ll explore everything from the procedure itself to potential complications, recovery, and candidacy requirements.
Whether you’re simply curious or actively considering this life-changing surgery, this article will equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about your eye health.
What are the Potential LASIK Complications?
LASIK is an excellent procedure for treating refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, there are potential risks that you should be aware of.
For example, you may experience dry eyes, visual disturbances, and vision fluctuations for a short period of time. Fortunately, most of these side effects are temporary and improve as your eyes heal.
However, there are also risks for rare or severe complications, such as:
- Over or undercorrection. Overcorrection can cause a nearsighted person to become farsighted. Meanwhile, undercorrection means your vision isn’t entirely improved.
- Regression. Your vision may regress to your former prescription or worsen after surgery. This requires LASIK enhancement treatment.
- Irregular astigmatism. Irregular astigmatism is an unequal curvature of your cornea, which causes visual distortions like glare, halos, and shadows around images.
- Decentration. Occurs when the laser isn’t centered correctly on the eye during surgery, resulting in irregular astigmatism.
- Flap wrinkles or folds. A flap that doesn’t lie smoothly after surgery can affect your vision. These often improve with time, and if not, minor adjustments can be made.
- Epithelial ingrowth: This happens when surface cells from the cornea grow under the flap, which may need to be removed for optimal vision.
- Corneal ectasia. A rare complication that results in corneal thinning.
- Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK). A type of inflammation that occurs under the LASIK flap. This complication typically occurs a few days post-surgery.
- Infection. May occur when the flap can’t heal properly. Symptoms include pain, redness, and light sensitivity.
Fortunately, because of advancements in LASIK technology, the procedure has had an incredibly high success rate. Most people will achieve excellent vision, and most complications can be treated.
How to Prepare for LASIK
One of the best ways to avoid complications during LASIK is to know how to prepare for the procedure. Here are our tips to prepare for the procedure:
- Talk to your surgeon about your overall health and medical history.
- Avoid wearing contacts for at least 1 to 3 weeks to allow your corneas to return to their natural shape.
- Avoid wearing makeup, perfume, cologne, or scented products on the day of surgery.
- Have someone drive you home after the procedure.
Your surgeon will conduct a thorough eye examination to assess your overall eye health and ensure you’re not taking or experiencing anything that may affect the procedure or the healing process.
How to Recover From LASIK Eye Surgery
It’s important to follow your doctor’s specific instructions after the surgery. These include using eye drops, pain relief medication, and avoiding activities that can impact your eyes—swimming, working, sports, etc.
After the procedure, you should get some rest and give your eyes a break. During this time, you can expect some blurry vision and light sensitivity.
While you’re healing, try to stay hydrated and eat healthy foods; your body will need nutrients to heal. Avoid smoking, and make sure to attend your follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your progress.
Your eyes will fully recover in 6 months. However, it can take longer if you have a higher eye prescription prior to surgery.
Are You A Good Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?
To be a good candidate for LASIK, you’ll need to have an eye prescription within a treatable range. Generally, up to -12.00 diopters for nearsightedness, +6.00 diopters for farsightedness, and 6.00 diopters for astigmatism.
Other criteria required to get LASIK include:
- At least 18 or older, preferably 21
- Stable prescription for at least 1-2 years
- Adequate corneal thickness
- No eye diseases, infections, or severe dry eye syndrome
- No autoimmune disease or other conditions that can affect healing (diabetes)
- Not pregnant or nursing
- No history of certain eye conditions such as keratoconus, severe cataracts, or glaucoma
- Normal-sized pupils to avoid side effects
LASIK can vastly improve your eyesight and has a high success rate. However, you should talk to your surgeon about the procedure to fully understand what you’re getting into.
They’ll have a frank discussion with you about the risks, benefits, and expectations of the procedure. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of the procedure to see if LASIK is right for you.
If you don’t meet the criteria for LASIK, they can also offer alternative treatments like eyeglasses, contacts, PRK, or SMILE.
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