What Are the Possible Side Effects of LASIK Eye Surgery?

Glasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses – are you ready to say goodbye to not only having to wear these each day but also having to dish out money for them? If you’re thinking about LASIK eye surgery, you probably know many of the benefits, starting with not needing any corrective eyewear.

At Vold Vision in Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale, and Northwest Arkansas, LASIK vision treatments are simple, seamless, and comfortable. Some patients are able to see clearly in just a few minutes, leaving many wishing they had the procedure sooner.

Using the most advanced technology, Vold Vision patients walk away with remarkable results. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind.

Possible side effects

During LASIK vision treatments, a special type of excimer laser is used to change the shape of your cornea (the dome-shaped tissue at the front of your eye). This provides the right refraction, allowing you to see clearly without the use of glasses or contacts.

Although by clinical and scientific standards it is one of the safest types of elective procedures, LASIK eye surgery is a medical procedure and it does come with slight risks. This is why it’s crucial to see an experienced eye care professional, such as the ones at Vold Vision.

Dry eyes

LASIK temporarily decreases your tear production. For about six months after your treatment, your eyes may feel unusually dry while they’re healing. This can also impact the quality of your vision. Vold Vision offers more pre-procedure testing than anyone in Arkansas to make sure that if your eyes show an increased risk for dryness, it is addressed BEFORE the procedure to greatly minimize this risk. To address post-LASIK dry eye, your doctor at Vold Vision in Fayetteville, AR can recommend eye drops or treatments in our Dry Eye Center – offering the most advanced treatments in the state.

Glare, halos, or double vision

For a few days or weeks after LASIK, you might have trouble seeing at night. You might be extra sensitive to light, see glare or halos around light, or experience double vision. Your vision in dim light may be reduced after the procedure. These side effects are almost always temporary and disappear after a few weeks or months.

Undercorrections or overcorrections

If too little tissue is removed from your eye during LASIK, you won’t experience the excellent results you were hoping for. Undercorrections are more common for those who are nearsighted, and they can be fixed with another LASIK procedure.

Overcorrections are when too much tissue is removed from your eye, and these are more difficult to correct.

At Vold Vision, our highly trained refractive doctors complete multiple series of tests on your eyes and triple-check our measurements before your procedure to avoid this risk. For patients whose eyes over- or under-heal, we offer a free enhancement during the 12 month post op period for peace of mind.

Astigmatism

If tissue is removed unevenly during LASIK, or the eye heals with irregularity, it can lead to astigmatism – imperfection of the curve of your cornea. This may require a simple laser treatment to correct this.

Flap problems

Folding back or removing the flap on the front of your eye during LASIK can lead to complications, such as infection or excess tears. Additionally, the outermost corneal tissue layer can grow abnormally underneath the flap as you’re healing. This is extremely rare, but for patients who may be concerned about this risk PRK/LASEK or the flap-less SMILE are an excellent alternative.

How can I ensure I have a safe LASIK procedure?

To ensure everything goes smoothly, an experienced Vold Vision doctor will start by making sure you don’t have any conditions that will increase risks or make your outcomes less predictable. It is just as important to US for each patient to be cleared scientifically as an ideal candidate as it is to you! We complete extensive testing at our pre-op appointments before your procedure to identify any conditions that could increase your risks. This includes conditions, such as:

• Persistent dry eyes
• A weakened immune system
• Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Recent vision changes, such as due to medications or hormonal changes (like pregnancy)
• Cornea inflammation, eye injuries or diseases, and lid disorders

Other reasons you may not be a good candidate for LASIK include if you:

• Have fairly good vision already
• Have severe nearsightedness
• Have thin corneas or very large pupils

Make your LASIK appointment at Vold Vision

At Vold Vision, our personalized care, customized approaches, and unrivaled technology ensure you get the best possible results from LASIK eye surgery. If you have any questions about the safety of LASIK or if you’re a good candidate, contact the professionals at Vold Vision in Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale, and Northwest Arkansas today.