Every surgery has risks and LASIK eye surgery is no exception. Many have elected to have LASIK eye surgery simply because Tiger Woods endorsed it. We will see why this is not a good reason. It is far too serious to proceed without awareness of the LASIK complications you might encounter.
First, to keep things in perspective, only one to three percent of patients experience any lingering complications from LASIK surgery. Most enjoy better vision and are totally free from the need for corrective lenses in the future. However, we are all aware that we might be one of those in this small percent group. What might we face if we are?
The most common problem with all laser eye surgery is dry eye, the inability of the eye to keep itself lubricated. This could be short-lived or a continuing problem. Another complication especially experienced by LASIK patients is that one eye functions better than the other. Perhaps the surgery was more effective in one eye, thus causing blurred images.
Tiger Woods had LASIK surgery and was paid two million dollars to say he was glad he did. However, several years later, he said that his vision was changing and the surgery was deteriorating. Some say this is the reason his golf game also deteriorated and why he had his famous car accident. Tiger later had a second surgery. The point is, for some, LASIK surgery regresses especially for farsighted people.
Others experience scarring or infection following the surgery. This can usually be treated with medication. Of course, it is possible that the doctor makes a mistake and the surgery does not work at all or not enough and glasses or contacts are still needed. Perhaps vision is under-corrected or over-corrected. Sadly some have worse vision after the surgery than they had before. These LASIK complications may lead to the need for further surgery later on, after the eye heals.
Other problems include excessive corneal haze or a halo effect in the field of vision. Again, this can be temporary or permanent. Further, some people’s cornea is too thin for further surgery and, thus, they must live with the complications of the first surgery.
A final problem unique to LASIK involves complications with the flap that is cut in the cornea. This flap is supposed to heal over without problems. Sometimes it does not heal, or it comes loose after you thought it had healed. Sometimes it also infects. This and dry eye are the most common complains for LASIK patients.
The list seems staggering but remember, only a small percentage of people actually experience any problems. Why are some more prone to complications? First, their cornea may be thin or unresponsive to the surgery. The skill of the surgeon is also a factor. Check out his credentials and track record and don’t be in a rush to get this procedure done. A little caution could save you many complications in the future.