LASIK eye surgery results have continued to improve since the procedure was FDA authorized in 1996. Even in 2014, some potential LASIK candidates still ask Is LASIK Safe? LASIK eye surgery is among the most popular elective treatments carried out today, and uses many advantages that must improve your total lifestyle. Due to the latest technology and the abilities of skilled LASIK surgeons millions of Americans are less based on their contact lenses and glasses.
Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe?
Just like any surgery, LASIK eye surgery brings risks, including:
- Undercorrections. If the laser removes too little tissue from your eye, you won’t get the clearer vision results you were hoping for. Undercorrections are more typical for people who are nearsighted. You might need another refractive surgery (improvement surgery) within a year to remove more tissue.
- Overcorrections. It’s likewise possible that the laser will get rid of too much tissue from your eye. Overcorrections might be harder to repair than undercorrections.
- Vision going back to pre-surgery vision. Gradually, your eyes might slowly go back to the level of vision you had prior to surgery. This may happen due to specific conditions, such as irregular injury healing, hormonal imbalances or pregnancy.
- Visual loss or changes. Hardly ever, you might experience loss of vision due to surgical complications. Some people also might not see as dramatically or clearly as formerly.
- Astigmatism. Astigmatism can be brought on by uneven tissue removal. It might require additional surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
- Glare, halos and double vision. After surgery you might have problem seeing at night. You might notice glare, halos around intense lights or double vision.
According to DailyMail, many people will experience some small discomfort for 12 hours, but within this time your eyesight should improve rapidly – and be appropriate for work within four days.
Even when a good visual result is determined under standard screening conditions, your vision in dim light (such as at sunset or in fog) may be minimized to a higher degree after the surgery than before the surgery.
Dry eyes. LASIK causes a temporary decline in tear production. For the first 6 months approximately after your surgery, your eyes might feel unusually dry as they recover. Dry eyes can lower the quality of your vision.
Your optometrist might suggest that you use eyedrops during this time. If you experience severe dry eyes, you might choose another procedure to obtain special plugs put in your tear ducts to prevent your tears from receding from the surface area of your eyes.
Flap issues. Folding back or getting rid of the flap from the front of your eye during surgery can cause complications, consisting of infections, excess tears and swelling.
The outer corneal tissue layer (epithelium) may grow unusually underneath the flap during the recovery procedure.
Conditions That Increase Risks after LASIK
Certain health conditions can increase the risks connected with LASIK surgery or make the result less predictable. Physicians may not recommend laser surgery for you if you have certain conditions.
These conditions include:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Immunodeficiency conditions caused by immunosuppressive medications or HIV
- Relentless dry eyes
- Unstable vision due to medications, hormone changes, pregnancy, breast-feeding or age
- A number of eye conditions, such as keratoconus, keratitis, uveitis, herpes simplex affecting the eye area, glaucoma, cataracts, eye injuries or lid conditions
LASIK may not be advisable if you:
- Have pretty good overall vision
- Have large students or thin corneas
- Work that might be affected if you have the procedure
- Have age-related eye modifications that cause you to have less clear vision (presbyopia).
- Take part in contact sports that may be related to blows to the face.
If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, talk with your doctor about your questions and issues. He or she can discuss how the surgery may benefit you and help put the risks in point of view. Your doctor will go over with you whether you’re a candidate for the procedure.