What are the risks of laser vision correction?
There are risks associated with laser vision correction, but occurrences are rare. Dr. Goldberg will provide a thorough review of risks before you consent to have any procedure performed. These potential risks include the following: Most eyes are sensitive to light after the procedure. This sensitivity usually diminishes quickly and goes away altogether in most cases. Some patients experience a slight halo effect from bright lights at night. Temporary overcorrection (farsightedness) is possible in a few cases. This is often part of the post-operative experience and generally stabilizes to near predicted results within two to three weeks. Undercorrection: In some cases, laser vision correction does not fully correct vision. Some patients may achieve improved results with an enhancement procedure. Our enhancement rate is 5–10%. Decreased Visual Acuity: This rarely occurs and if it does, it can usually be corrected with an enhancement procedure or contact lenses. Your particular case shou
No surgical procedure is without risks. Long-term sight-threatening complications from PRK and LASIK are very uncommon. The chance of having a serious vision threatening complication is much less than 1% (this risk is further reduced with IntraLase). Understanding potential risks allows you to make an informed decision before undergoing laser vision correction. Our office will discuss potential risks in greater detail and answer any question you may have during your screening.
Just like any other form of surgery, laser vision correction involves risks. Although an ophthalmologist will examine every candidate to make sure the risks are minimized and fully explained before approving treatment, there are always potential risks despite how qualified a patient may be. The doctor will be able to explain all of the risks and benefits involved in the treatment as well as the chances of those risks occurring in each individual patient. Even if someone achieves 20/20 vision from laser vision correction, other complications can arise from treatment. Dry eyes, blurry vision, light sensitivity, glare, and haloes are among the potential side effects of treatment. Many of these effects are temporary in the postoperative healing period. Your ophthalmologist can address any specific questions you may have about the possible risks before treatment.
The chance of having a serious, vision-threatening complication as a consequence of laser vision correction is very low far less than 1%. But the risk isn’t zero, so it is important that you know the risks and be able to put them into perspective. Infection: To prevent infection, you will be given antibiotic drops both before and after the procedure. Post-operative infections extremely rare in LASIK. When they do occur, they tend to be minor and clear up quickly with treatment. Pain: Some patients experience discomfort. This is easily treated with medication. Mild irritation, sensitivity to light, and watering of the eyes can be expected in the first few days after a LASIK procedure.
