All surgeries come with some risk of complications and side effects, but LASIK is generally considered a safe procedure with a low complication rate. It is one of the most successful elective surgical procedures available today, with an estimated complication rate of less than 1%. According to the FDA, clinical trials found a complication rate of approximately 20% six months after LASIK, including the newest technology. Despite this small risk, the success rate of LASIK is very high and major complications are rare.
The American Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reports that LASIK surgery is one of the most common and successful surgical procedures. However, some professional golfers have experienced complications such as night vision problems, chronic dry eyes, or vision deterioration after LASIK. The FDA-approved label for each laser approved for LASIK surgery includes the risks of dry eye syndrome, which can be serious; the possible need for eyeglasses or contact lenses after surgery; visual symptoms such as halos, glare, starbursts and double vision, which can be debilitating; and loss of vision. LASIK surgery can have some potential side effects, and certain factors or types of corrections may increase the chance of a negative complication.
Complications that arise from LASIK surgery are usually related to secondary problems and not to the surgery itself. Morris Waxler, former chief research scientist at the FDA, has re-examined the scientific basis behind the FDA's approval of LASIK and now believes that the LASIK procedure should be discontinued. Over the years, changes have been made to LASIK surgical procedures in order to increase their effectiveness and reduce possible negative side effects and complications, such as possible loss of vision or blindness. This technology is advertised as iLASIK, IntraLasik or IntraLase and involves cutting the flap with a femtosecond laser.
You can check the license of a surgeon specializing in LASIK surgery to practice medicine, check for state disciplinary measures, or file a complaint with your state's medical board. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that LASIK can cause vision loss in some people that cannot be corrected with additional surgery, eyeglasses or contact lenses. Edward Boshnick, OD, is an optometrist from Miami, Florida who has dedicated his practice to treating patients who have lost quality of vision and eye comfort due to refractive eye surgery such as RK, PRK and LASIK.
