An evaluation of LASIK risks

LASIK sometimes brings undesirable outcomes, including complications and less-than-perfect visual acuity. There are many instances of disappointing LASIK results in the history of the surgery’s practice. In general, LASIK surgeries conducted in the early years caused unsatisfactory visual outcomes more easily. And laser technological improvements have greatly reduced the potential risks. Surgical experience contributed by the large number of patients who receive LASIK also helps increase the average success rate. This article first describes disappointing surgical cases in early and most recent years, and then states some researches or surveys showing LASIK success rate.

Unsatisfactory and disappointing surgical cases

Dominic Morgan received LASIK in 1998, which left him legally blind. His surgeon used unapproved laser and did not tell him the proper information before surgery. As a result, his fragile retinas were damaged. As a law student, Colin had LASIK surgery in 2001 but got poor quality vision and painful dry eyes. Disappointing outcomes from LASIK can also cause depression in some patients, bringing sleep difficulties, loss of autonomy or self-anger. Furthermore, expensive LASIK may cause financial problems, especially to patients with low income.

LASIK is still not flawless currently

Even if technologies have improved significantly in the past years, modern LASIK is still not flawless. Joseph Schnell had LASIK in 2007 but suffered LASIK complications such as glare, halos, starbursts and poor night vision. Received wavefront LASIK in 2006, Matt Kotsovolos is now bothered by debilitating and continuous eye pain. This condition is quite bothersome and annoying. Dry eye after LASIK is also quite common and always requires artificial tears. While most patients suffer this problem during a few days or weeks after the surgery, some unfortunately guys will be bothered by it for a long time.

What about the average success rate

Despite those negative cases, the overall rate of devastating LASIK outcomes is low. The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (CRSQA) conducts a quality-of-life study, which reveals that 99% of patients are satisfied with their LASIK results. A worldwide survey involving 32,000 LASIK receivers by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery also shows a 95% of satisfactory rate. Similar results are also available from LASIK patients in the US Navy. There are still some ongoing researches on the surgery’s average success rate.

A conclusion

In conclusion, patients should weight risks and benefits of LASIK properly. Learn more about LASIK and always have a second thought before choosing it. While considering a LASIK, patients should read the paperwork carefully before a final signature.