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LASIK Results: What to
Expect
Laser-assisted in situ
keratomileusis (LASIK) has
helped millions of people
around the world reduce
their dependence on glasses
or contact lenses. It is,
however, an elective
surgical procedure with some
serious associated risks.
And most importantly, it is
an elective surgical
procedure performed on an
otherwise healthy eye in the
presence of safe and
effective nonsurgical
alternatives - that is,
glasses and contact lenses.
As someone who may be
interested in receiving
LASIK, you understandably
want to know what to expect.
It's difficult, however, to
say conclusively what your
outcome may be because there
are so many variables
involved such as the degree
and type of vision
correction you need, and the
experience of your eye
surgeon.
Everyone who receives LASIK
is exposed to some degree of
risk. LASIK is associated
with a slight risk of both
short- and long-term
complications. Although most
of these respond well to
treatment, and thus
eventually cease to be
complications, some are less
easily handled and, very
rarely, can cause permanent
problems.
According to guidelines
released by the Eye Surgery
Education Council (ESEC),
fewer than 1 percent of
patients who have received
LASIK to date have
experienced serious,
vision-threatening problems.
Most LASIK complications can
be treated and usually
resolve within several
months of surgery, the ESEC
said.
Among the more serious,
vision-threatening
complications are infection
and LASIK flap problems. The
incidence of less-serious
complications, such as haze,
halos, and glare, is
variably reported at up to 5
percent. Studies
consistently show that LASIK
complications decline as
surgeon experience
increases. So you definitely
can increase your chance of
a good outcome by making
sure you choose an
experienced surgeon.
LASIK Advantages
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Quick visual recovery
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Quick comfort recovery
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Rapid return to
function: work, driving,
and recreation.
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Work recovery
postoperative Day 1
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Driving recovery Day 1
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Recreation recovery Day
1 (light activities,
jogging, walking, golf)
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Psychological recovery
also quicker
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Follow-up more
convenient
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VA results excellent
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Re-treatment easier
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No haze, no need for
mitomycin
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No re-epithelization
(typically)
LASIK Disadvantages
-
Post-LASIK dry eye
(neurotropic keratitis)2
-
Post-intra LASIK delayed
photophobia
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Interface keratitis
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Flap complications:
buttonholes, partial
flaps,etc.
-
Long-term neurotrophic
and stromal morphology
questions
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Stromal apoptosis: Does
it affect corneal health
long term?
-
Ectasia (rare)%0.66
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Requires normal orbital
palpebral fissures and
anatomy
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