Considering LASIK? Read This First

Each year, approximately 700,000 people undergo LASIK surgery to improve their vision. For the most part, LASIK is safe and successful, about 96% to 98% achieve 20/20 vision or better. However, there are complications and side effects associated with the procedure, many of which are unknown or are downplayed so they catch people off guard when they do crop up. This has led to the formation of several watch-dog groups that are seeking to warn people about the real dangers of LASIK.

Millions of people have received LASIK surgery and are very happy with the results. However, there are complications associated with the procedure, which has several groups sounding alarms. A former FDA official has even suggested that LASIK should be taken off the market. Let's look at the research.

Eye Problems After LASIK?

The complication rate of LASIK surgery is extremely low, about 1%, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council. However, this number only represents surgical complications, such as infection or dislocation of the corneal flap. It does not represent side effects or postoperative complications that may arise days, weeks or months after the procedure.

About 30% of people who get LASIK surgery report side effects, most of which are temporary, but 30% is a lot. Some of these problems can become permanent, too. Side effects include hazy or blurry vision, poor night vision, scratchiness, dry eyes, glares, halos, starbursts, light sensitivity, or pain and discomfort. Some may even experience vision loss or changes with their vision.

An FDA Formal Official Speaks Out

A former FDA official, Morris Waxler, Ph.D., spoke up about the problems associated with the procedure after he became aware that many people were having side effects that they weren’t prepared for or warned about.

According to Waxler, a good number of people experience persistent complications or side effects within 6 to 12 months of having the surgery. He also asserts that 43% of people experience vision distortion, a statistic that the FDA disputes. There are also questions about how much benefit is really derived from a LASIK procedure. Waxler, as well as a few anti-LASIK groups, are asking for the laser eye surgery to be banned.

The Official Word from the FDA

The FDA disputes the information distributed by Waxler. It maintains that LASIK is safe and that complications are rare. However, a list of risks published by the FDA looks very similar to the complications reported by Waxler, including vision loss, debilitating visual symptoms, dry eye and refractive errors. They say you can mitigate your chances of having a complication by choosing the right doctor and getting thoroughly screened before the procedure.

Although complications after LASIK may be rare, they do occur. Eye infections, vision loss, chronic pain, detached retinas, dry eyes, halos and glares are all possible both in a temporary sense and in a permanent sense. So be sure to speak to an eye doctor about all possible complications and/or issues that may arise during or after surgery before deciding to get LASIK and maybe consider whether or not the risks are worth the potential rewards before making the leap.

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