LASIK (Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is a common type of eye surgery that many are using to be able to decrease their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.

LASIK is a method of refractive surgery that is a regular procedure, often used for treating nearsightedness. Its popularity is due to the improvement of vision, without the major side effects that other eye surgery methods may produce.

With the eye being one of the most sensitive areas of the body, it might be somewhat surprising to learn that the LASIK procedure is relatively simple. In fact it’s not uncommon for those patients that have undergone the procedure to be working again the following day.

The eye is firstly washed out with a solution to numb the area. The next step is to hold the eyelids open using clamps. This will prevent blinking. After the solution begins to take effect, the surgeon will make an incision in the cornea. Once enough tissue is removed using the laser, the surgeon can then close where the incision is made, and the procedure is complete.

The benefits of LASIK eye surgery is there for all to see (excuse the pun!). Thousands of people have undergone the procedure, but for some the apprehension to go through with eye surgery may be attributed to the main benefits not being made clear, which are mainly two-fold:

1) The possibility to live life without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

2) An increase in the quality of vision.

The cost of having LASIK eye surgery performed can vary. The price depends on factors such as the equipment used for the surgery and also the testing carried out before the procedure. You may find that different providers will perform different levels of testing, so ensure that you research into different providers and find out what is included in the price. Of course you cannot put a price on your vision, but there is certainly no harm in discovering which provider offers the required features in the quoted price. One point that must be considered though is to find a surgeon that has experience with the procedure. Do not simply opt for the cheapest as they may not necessarily be the best.

What are some of the possible complications of Lasik eye surgery?

Undercorrection &ndash this occurs when the expected vision correction falls short of the desired outcome. This occurs more commonly with patients who have a high degree of nearsightedness (only objects close up are clear), farsightedness (only objects far away are clear) or astigmatism (images both far and near are distorted). Why? There is more laser corneal sculpting that needs to occur with patients having higher degrees of vision imperfection. When choosing your Lasik eye surgeon, it’s important to ask them what percentage of their patients need retreatment for undercorrection. This should be something that they are willing to freely discuss with you. If not, walk away! This is not to be confused with a planned slight undercorrection for nearsighted patients over forty years old which aids their reading vision. But this is something that you and your Lasik eye surgeon would have discussed before your surgery.

Overcorrection &ndash this complication occurs less frequently than undercorrection and results when the amount of correction (corneal laser sculpting) exceeds what is planned. Slight overcorrection can be temporary and may resolve itself in the first month following Lasik eye surgery. Patients can manage slight overcorrections by wearing glasses until their vision resolves. Some patients with overcorrection may need additional Lasik eye surgery 3 to 6 months following their first surgery.

Dry Eye &ndash many Lasik eye surgery patients may experience the feeling of ‘grittiness’ in their eyes following surgery. This condition usually resolves itself in 3 to 6 months and may be helped by using lubricating eye drops. Patients using birth control pills and patients going through menopause may experience this condition more often. If ‘dry eye’ continues beyond 6 months, your Lasik eye surgeon may recommend blocking your tear ducts with tiny silicon plugs to prevent tears from draining away too quickly.

Corneal abrasion &ndash a small percentage of Lasik eye surgery patients may develop a small corneal abrasion (scrape) caused by the microkeratome (instrument used to create corneal flap) used during surgery. This abrasion is generally not serious and will heal quickly. Your Lasik eye surgeon may temporarily place a thin bandage contact lens on your eye to promote healing. While your abrasion is healing, your vision will be blurry.

Night glare &ndash this annoying condition may not affect your vision clarity but patients may see halos or ghosting of images at night during the first month following surgery. Night glare generally improves in 3 months and often disappears within 6 months. Patients with large pupils and more severe vision impairment may be more prone to night glare.

Corneal flap complication &ndash this occurs when the corneal flap is too small, too thin or is an irregular shape. In some cases the corneal flap may shift slightly following surgery if a patient rubs their eyes during the first 6 hours after surgery. If the flap does shift, ‘wrinkles’ can form causing distorted vision. A second procedure may be necessary to ‘smooth out’ the wrinkles and improve vision.

Infection &ndash although this is the most feared complication of Lasik eye surgery patients, it is extremely rare. If your eye is going to become infected, chances are it will happen in the first 72 hours following surgery and will be treated with antibiotic eye drops. For this reason it is very important to avoid eye makeup, hot tubs and swimming pools for at least the first week following Lasik eye surgery.

The risks of Lasik eye surgery are low with an experienced Lasik eye surgeon but you need to be aware of possible complications prior to surgery. Your Lasik eye surgeon should freely discuss all possible complications of Lasik eye surgery prior to surgery. Do everything you can to put your eyes in the best possible hands.