Risks and Complications of LASIK

Patients place their trust in LASIK surgeons to disclose risks and complications. LASIK surgeons behave more like used car salesmen than physicians, talking up the benefits of the procedure while downplaying or concealing complications. FDA clinical trials demonstrate alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision impairment after LASIK. For example, in one study 31.2% of patients reported worse or significantly worse eye dryness six months after LASIK. In another study, 19.1% of patients reported worse or significantly worse night driving difficulty six months after LASIK. Both studies are of newer "custom LASIK" technology.

LASIK complications
(Not a Complete List)
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Ectasia Dry Eyes Late Flap Dislocation Flap Complications Night Vision Impairment Depression and Suicide Infection Epithelial Ingrowth Higher Order Aberrations Debris under the flap Vitreoretinal Damage Central Islands DLK / Inflammation Cataract after LASIK Optic Nerve Neuropathy Long Term Issues Photos of Damage - not for the squeamish

A few of the possible complications of LASIK are listed on the left menu bar. LASIK surgeons quote complication rates of 1 - 3%, but what defines a "complication"? Read: The Problem with LASIK Complication Rates. LASIK surgeons don't consider dry eyes and night vision impairment as "complications", even though they may be debilitating and permanent. And no one is tracking long-term complications. LASIK surgeons are well aware that complications after LASIK are common...

Villa et al: "Patients undergoing LASIK procedures display an increase of halo phenomena around lights in night vision conditions, even when the results of the surgery are considered entirely satisfactory according to current international standards of predictability, efficacy and safety." Source: Br J Ophthalmol. 2007 Aug;91(8):1031-7.

Bailey MD, Zadnik K.: "Night vision and dryness symptoms still occur in a significant proportion of patients."
Source: Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers

Marguerite McDonald, MD: "With LASIK, roughly half of my patients had dry eye complaints after surgery - and in about half of these, the symptoms were severe."
Source: www.RefractiveEyecare.com, December 2005

Sugar et al: "Serious adverse complications leading to significant permanent visual loss such as infections and corneal ectasia probably occur rarely in LASIK procedures; however, side effects such as dry eyes, night time starbursts, and reduced contrast sensitivity occur relatively frequently." Source: Ophthalmology. 2002 Jan;109(1):175-87.

In the early days of LASIK, no one knew how safe the procedure would prove to be in the long term. Now there are literally thousands of published studies on LASIK. But how reliable are studies published by LASIK surgeons? Read: Science of Refractive Surgery. Serious complications such as delayed ectasia occuring years after LASIK have caused many in the industry to question the safety of the procedure. Read medical studies that, surprisingly, reveal problems inherent to LASIK surgery: Medical Studies

If you want to do your own LASIK research, a good place to start is on the government site, www.pubmed.gov. Just remember, sometimes you must read between the lines or obtain the full-text of an article. Conclusions written by LASIK surgeons can be very misleading. By closely examining the methodology, we attempt to discern the truth about LASIK studies.

Behind the scenes, leading surgeons are voicing serious concerns about LASIK and some have already abandoned the procedure completely... Read more.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is presented for the purpose of warning people about LASIK complications prior to surgery. LASIK patients experiencing problems should seek the advice of a physician.