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LASIK eye surgery - Risks

Alternative Names

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis; Laser vision correction

Risks:

The long-term effects of LASIK past 5 years after the surgery are yet to be determined.

Over- or under-treatment of the condition may occur, requiring additional surgery, contact lens, or glasses.

Risks may include:

  • Corneal infection
  • Corneal scarring or permanent problems with the cornea's shape, making it impossible to wear contact lenses
  • Decreased distance vision at high altitudes
  • Decrease in contrast sensitivity --even with 20/20 vision, objects may appear fuzzy or gray
  • Dry eyes
  • Glare or haloes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Night driving problems
  • Patches of red or pink in the white of the eye
  • Reduced vision or permanent vision loss
  • Scratchiness

Some patients, although they may see much better than before LASIK without glasses, will still need glasses for their best vision.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/22/2008
  • Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Yanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al. eds. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:188-195.

Duffey RJ, Leaming D. US trends in refractive surgery: 2003 ISRS/AAO survey. J Refract Surg. 2005 Jan-Feb;21(1):87-91.

Cobp-Soriano R, Calvo MA, Beltran J, Llovet FL, Baviera J. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2005 Jul;31(7):1357-65.IG.Thin flap laser in situ keratomileusis: analysis of contrast sensitivity, visual, and refractive outcomes.

Balazsi G, Mullie M, Lasswell L, Lee PA, Duh YJ. Laser in situ keratomileusis with a scanning excimer laser for the correction of low to moderate myopia with and without astigmatism. J Cataract Refract Surg 2001 Dec;27(12):1942-51.

Miller AE, McCulley JP, Bowman RW, Cavanaugh HD, Wang XH. Patient satisfaction after LASIK for myopia. CLAO J 2001 Apr;27(2):84-8.

McGhee CN, Craig JP, Sachdev N, Weed KH, Brown AD. Functional, psychological and satisfaction outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000 Apr;26(4):497-509.

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