Potential LASIK Complications
Chicago, Illinois
At Doctors For Visual Freedom, we believe our patients should make the most informed decision possible about LASIK eye surgery. Like all surgeries, LASIK comes with the potential for certain complications. No matter how limited or rare these complications may be, we want to give you a basic understanding of what they entail.
Avoiding LASIK Complications
The overwhelming majority of LASIK eye surgery complications can be anticipated in advance and avoided through a comprehensive exam of a patient’s:
- Refractive error
- Eye health
- Pupil size
- Medical history
- Current medications
During your personal consultation with LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Golden, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about LASIK side effects and complications, and how they might apply in your unique situation. Our pre-surgical examination is designed to be completely thorough, analyzing every aspect of your eyes and general health that will contribute to your LASIK candidacy.
Types of LASIK Complications
Some of the complications that have been associated with LASIK eye surgery include:
- Adverse visual symptoms – Most that have decreased vision have flap wrinkles. This is far and away, the most common LASIK complication is entirely avoidable. Patients are encouraged not to rub their eyes or even near for the first week after their procedure as this can cause shifting of the flap which causes the patient to look through a wrinkled flap. Despite displaying excellent vision when tested with a vision chart, some LASIK patients do not see as well in low contrast situations (such as fog or night vision) after treatment. Dr. Golden takes every precaution to avoid this by carefully evaluating your pupil size ahead of time, and using our state-of-the-art technology to create a spherical aberration that is optimized for your corneal shape.
- Dry eye symptoms – Most patients only develop mild dry eye symptoms that can be easily controlled with lubricating eye drops and Restasis. Dryness is generally back to base-line by three to four months for most people. For an occasional patient, long term Restasis, tear drops or punctal plugs may be of assistance Again, Dr. Golden will carefully evaluate your tear film’s quality and quantity before surgery to anticipate and avoid this complication.
- Less than full correction for high prescriptions – People who have very high prescriptions may still require limited use of glasses or contact lenses after LASIK surgery. Dr. Golden will discuss this with you during your consultation if it applies to you. If we feel that LASIK will not give you a full correction, our LASIK eye surgeon will recommend an alternative vision correction procedure.
- Diminished results over time for farsighted patients – If you are farsighted, the improved vision you achieved after LASIK surgery can potentially decrease over time. This complication can be anticipated by analyzing how your manifest refraction (a vision exam before dilating drops) contrasts with your cycloplegic refraction (a vision exam after dilating drops). If Dr. Golden feels you might not achieve your personal vision goals with LASIK eye surgery, he may recommend an alternative treatment, such as lens implants.
If you have further questions about potential LASIK complications, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeon today to schedule your free screening. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
Two Locations:
Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60611 | Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
2010 S Arlington Heights Rd, Suite 121
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
