Dry eye is one of the most common side effects of LASIK (incidence of 60-70%) . With flap creation, there is loss of afferent corneal nerves which leads to ocular surface issues.
Symptoms include pain, discomfort, watering, and/or blurry vision. Many people worry about how to tell if a flap moves after LASIK, but things will feel distinctly different.
All surgeries carry some risk of complications and side effects, but LASIK is generally considered a safe procedure with a low complication rate. In fact, LASIK is one of the safest elective surgical procedures available today, with a complication rate estimated to be less than 1%.
Flap-related complications are the most common intraoperative complications following LASIK surgery. An incomplete flap, which is reported in 3% of cases, can occur when the smooth passage of the microkeratome, which is a precise instrument with an oscillating blade, is obstructed within the surgical field.
Myth: A common concern about Lasik surgery is that the corneal flap will never heal. To break it down quite simply… give it some time. In the early days after Lasik, wounds should be handled with great care because that's when the eye is most vulnerable and susceptible to trauma.
A normal LASIK patient takes around three months to complete this recovery time. Some patients can take upwards of six months to a year to fully recover. This is particularly true if they had a severe prescription. This isn't to say that you'll be stuck in bed for months after LASIK, because you won't!
The LASIK complication rate is only about 0.3%. The most commonly reported LASIK complications are infection or dry eye that persists for more than six months.
Long-term complications from LASIK are very rare, but some side effects can persist for several months. In very rare instances, a side effect or complication may become permanent.
Scarring from a previous eye injury or surgery can impede the surgeon's ability to perform the operation safely. Other eye diseases that affect the cornea or infections must be resolved before you can get LASIK. In some cases, you may find that because of eye diseases or another procedure, you cannot get LASIK.
If you have changed your prescription on your glasses or contact lenses within the past one to two years, you may not be a candidate for LASIK. Individuals with certain autoimmune disorders or eye dryness may also not be candidates for LASIK surgery. Patients who are younger than 18 are not viable candidates for LASIK.
Vision problems, though rare, have been reported after surgery. There are also risks of complications such as infection or injury to the eye. Some people experience minor discomforts and laser eye surgery side effects such as dry eyes or pain immediately following the procedure. These issues are often temporary.
As with other refractive surgeries, it can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism. Due to the coloration of the eye residing in the iris, Lasik surgery does not cause changes. It is possible for the iris color to change but this is most likely the result of other ocular health issues.
If you develop blurry vision 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years after surgery, your eyes have likely changed with age. Visit your doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to rule out issues like glaucoma and cataracts. If your eyes are healthy, you may have age-related nearsightedness LASIK can't prevent or treat.
The average age for LASIK has historically been from the mid-30s up. We know that when patients return unhappy with their vision about 10 years after a LASIK procedure, the chief suspects are presbyopia and cataract. So the answer is: “It's almost always the lens, not the LASIK.”
PISK is an inflammatory reaction caused by the instruments used during the procedure that can erode the corneal stroma. This condition can occur within days or sometimes even years after the surgery. Symptoms of PISK include severe eye pain, blurry vision, redness, and sensitivity to light.
Putting it into perspective
It's estimated that the chances of going blind as a result of laser eye surgery are around 1 in 5 million.
Conclusion. After investing in LASIK, it's crucial to protect your newfound eyes. Part of this involves wearing good-quality sunglasses for at least four weeks.
For LASIK patients, our Washington, DC team recommends wearing them for one week – all night as you sleep as well as during naps. For PRK, we recommend wearing them at least until the bandage contact lenses are removed, which is usually five days.
In fact, your LASIK surgeon at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ will tell you to sleep after LASIK. One of the best ways to start your recovery off is by sleeping for 3 or 4 hours after you get LASIK. This is the time when your eyes can rest and start the healing process.
Recovery can vary from person to person, however most people see 20/20 by the next morning after their LASIK procedure. Although the patient's vision is usually very good, that does not mean that healing is complete. It is common for healing to go on for weeks to months after the procedure.
If your LASIK flap moves or dislodges, it's considered a medical emergency. It can cause pain, watery eyes, and blurry vision. Flap dislocation is rare and only occurs in 1 to 2% of LASIK patients.
If the resistance of the adhesion at the flap margin can be bridged, the whole flap can be easily lifted. The early displacement of the flap after LASIK (within 48h) is a well-known phenomenon and occurs in approximately 1% to 2% of cases.
You can get LASIK more than once. But undergoing more than three LASIK procedures can be harmful to your health and cause severe vision problems. Each time you undergo LASIK, the surgeon removes corneal tissue. If your corneas are too thin after the first procedure, you may not be able to have a second LASIK surgery.