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The Dangers of Lasik Eye Surgery

LASIK is considered a relatively safe procedure and has improved many people's vision. Over a 1 year period, 12 million people underwent LASIK surgery. Only 140 of these people filed complaints with the Food and Drug Administration. In the late 1990s, 5 percent of the people who had the LASIK procedure experienced complications. New patient screening techniques and lasers have reduced that number to fewer than 1 percent. LASIK is, however, a surgical procedure and does involve some risks. It is important to be aware of these risks when deciding if LASIK surgery is right for you.

  1. Dry Eye

    • Many LASIK patients experience severe dry eye after the procedure. This common side effect often goes away on its own within 6 months, but some people require surgery to correct the problem.

    Double Vision

    • Although they achieve 20/20 vision after LASIK surgery, some patients suffer from permanent double vision in 1 or both eyes.

    Glare

    • Night driving can become a problem for a small number of LASIK patients who see halos around lights and have severe problems with glare.

    Blindness

    • Although it is extremely rare, some people's vision gets worse after they undergo LASIK surgery. Blindness has also been known to occur.

    Depression

    • Poor LASIK outcomes can cause or aggravate depression in some people.

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