Sunglasses, They Make You Look Great!

For patients to become less dependent on corrective lenses, Lasik laser vision surgery might be the right choice for many seeking freedom from glasses or contacts. Most people who have the surgery done go from fully relying on corrective lenses in order to see clearly to having near perfect vision within a matter of minutes. However, all procedures come with risks and Lasik is no different.

The use of a specialized cold beam laser to reshape the cornea of the eye providing clear vision is involved in the Lasik laser vision correction procedure. There are many side effects associated with this procedure that the patient should be aware of.  

The most common side effect after surgery is a continued dependency on corrective lenses. Sometimes lenses are needed for night driving, reading or in some cases, all the time. You may still require glasses post surgery although, the prescription won’t be nearly as strong as it was before having Lasik. Additional treatments may not completely eliminate this effect.  

A slightly higher risk for the dependence of other corrective lenses is involved with those that have extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness than patients with fewer vision problems. Patients will need to have an understanding of realistic expectations for the surgery prior to committing to Lasik laser vision correction.  

Other visual complications can be a risk with Lasik laser vision correction. Some patients may experience halos, glares, or even double vision after having the surgery done. This occurs frequently after daylight hours while driving at night.

One of the risks with Lasik laser vision correction is dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as KCS.   The laser severs some of the nerves in the eye as it repairs the shape of the cornea during the Lasik procedure. For a few, permanent damage can occur, which results in dry eye as the nerve endings are unable to send and receive the information that makes the tear ducts produce tears when the eye is too dry however, the nerves typically correct themselves after a short while. This condition can be controlled with the long term use of medicated drops but vision may be impaired due to the irritation and dryness of the eye.

A small percentage of Lasik laser eye correction patients are diagnosed with an infection as a result of the surgery. This rarely occurs and is easily treated with oral and topical medications. For example, a Northern California center makes available seminars with an eye doctor in Stockton for Lasik in Stockton so the client is aware several week’s before scheduling the procedure.

Cloudy vision is a typical effect after surgery. This is a temporary effect and often diminishes within the first twenty-four hours. Minor irritation is a result as well and is often described as having a grain of sand in the eye. This is also temporary and will resolve itself in a few days.

Comprehending common Lasik laser eye correction risks can assist in enabling individuals to make an educated choice regarding the surgery. Additional dangers and side effects will be discussed with the eye care professional and Lasik surgeon during counseling prior to having Lasik performed. Assessing these risks may help determine if indeed an individual is a candidate for Lasik laser vision correction.