Thousands of people have improved eye vision thanks to a Lasik procedure.  Many have been able to donate their glasses or put them away, because they have perfect sight.

However, like any other invasive operation, there is a potential for adverse results.  It’s important to make an informed decision, before agreeing to any treatment.  So, when the doctor is discussing the benefits, make sure to listen to the Lasik eye surgery complications as well.

Lasik Benefits

Anybody that has heard about Lasik probably knows its benefits. Satisfied patients are ecstatic to put their glasses away and view life with perfect vision.  Many patients now see life in 20/20.  Others may still need to use corrective lenses, but the prescription is greatly reduced.  Some only need to use glasses when they are doing close-up work like reading.

Although vision can still digress in the future, and they may need glasses again at a later date, it may never be as bad as before the surgery.  Individuals are no longer groping the night stand for unseen glasses anymore.  Thick, unattractive lenses are a thing of the past.   For many individuals, the potential benefits are definitely worth the risks of a Lasik procedure.

Lasik Complications

While the majority of patients are happy with the results, there are others that experience Lasik eye surgery complications.  In many cases, some of these adverse outcomes are only temporary.  In other instances, the pain, discomfort, and impaired vision last a lifetime.

A Lasik procedure cannot be reversed.  For good or bad, the results are permanent.  When the results are positive, everything is great; when they are negative, patients wish they could undo what has been done.  So, it’s very important to weigh the pros and cons, knowing that the following complications are possible:

Dry eye – A lot of people have dry eye.  To ease the symptoms, they occasionally use eye drops to provide moisture.  But, when patients suffer dry eye after Lasik, it can be much more than a minor inconvenience.  The eyes become so dry that individuals are required to put eye drops in several times an hour.  They even have to add drops to their eyes in the middle of the night, so that they don’t dry out.  For some patients, the symptoms will abate over a period of a few months.  For others, it is a lifetime of vision challenges.

Poor vision quality – For some Lasik patients, the results of the procedure is devastating.  Instead of improving their vision, it makes it worse. In fact, the effects can be totally debilitating, making it impossible to drive or work.  For example, the eyes may see people and objects as if they are a photo that has been overexposed.  Because everything looks so bland, it’s impossible to drive, because depth perception is gone.

Cornea problems – During Lasik surgery, the doctor makes a cut in the Cornea and pulls back a flap.  It is reshaped to let light reach the retina at the appropriate angle. Afterwards, it is replaced and should heal in a matter of days.  However, in some patients the cornea never heals properly.  Instead, it can become dislodged at any time, which impairs vision and makes it unsafe to drive a car or do certain types of work.

The cornea can also become weakened.  It can result in a bulging cornea.  When it cannot be repaired, patients are in need of cornea transplant.

Back in Glasses – most patients over 40 will still need glasses for reading or other close work.  Even for those that realize perfect vision, they will likely end up back in glasses over time.

Undiagnosed glaucoma – After patients have had Lasik surgery, the pressure test for glaucoma may not be entirely accurate. A patient that is positive may test negative. As a result, patients will not receive the treatment needed to retain their vision for as long as possible.

Poor cataract surgery – Since the lenses have already undergone surgery in the past, the patients naturally developing cataracts later may not experience the best outcome.  It will be harder to detect and diagnose the depth of the disease.  Thus, it may require additional surgeries.

The above are just a few of the Lasik eye surgery complications that can develop after the procedure.  Some problems may not occur until further down the road.  For the majority of patients, the results will be positive, and they will be more than happy with the end result.  But, for those individuals that suffer one or more of these, and other adverse side effects the procedure results in heartbreak. The best advice is to know your doctor and trust in his/her judgment and surgical skills.  Talk about both the pros and cons of Lasik, so it is possible to make an informed decision.

Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure

The Lasik eye surgery procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and approximately 80 percent of patients have the vision improvement expected prior to the operation. The entire process only takes about 15 minutes; and, most people experience an improvement in their vision within a day or two. However, to improve the chances of a successful outcome, patients must follow the instructions of the medical staff before and after undergoing Lasik.

Before Lasik

Seeking an ophthalmologist to perform Lasik is a little more complicated than an exam for corrective eyewear. Unfortunately, not everyone who wants the Lasik eye surgery procedure will be granted the opportunity. The surgery is to correct refractory problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If other vision problems exist, or the eye is not healthy, the doctor will not want to take the chance of impairing vision further.

In addition to a regular eye exam, the doctor will want to take a complete medical history. Also the condition of the eye will be carefully examined. If the patient already suffers from dry eye or a thin cornea, the doctor may suggest the Lasek procedure instead, or simply state that the surgery is too risky under the circumstances. No one wants to have their vision impaired further.

Prior to the date of surgery, the medical staff will give specific pre-operative instructions like:

• Don’t wear hard contacts up to 3 weeks prior to surgery
• Don’t wear soft contacts for at least 3 days prior to surgery
• Eat only a light meal before the procedure
• Don’t wear anything in your hair that would impede the laser
• Make sure someone is going to drive you home after undergoing Lasik

A lot of patients don’t understand how important it is to adhere to these instructions. Unless they are obeyed to the letter, the patient risks not achieving the outcome anticipated from the Lasik eye surgery procedure.

During Lasik

The prep time for Lasik will take a little longer than the actual procedure. The eyelid will be held open and be numbed, so you cannot move your eye during the laser treatment. It sounds simple on paper; but, the procedure is very precise.

The doctor will actually make a small incision in the cornea, and peel it back. Then, it is reshaped to correctly let light reach the retina. The actual surgery only takes about a minute to complete on each eye.
It will be difficult to tell the success of Lasik for a day or two. At first, vision will likely be blurry. But, most patients realize improved sight within 48 hours.

After Lasik

After the Lasik eye surgery procedure, it is critical to adhere to the post-operative instructions. The doctor will give warning signs of problems. In most cases, this is just precautionary advice. But, if any negative symptoms occur, seek medical attention right away.

The medical staff reiterates what to avoid, until the eye has a chance to completely heal. For example, if a patient participates in activities that result in getting hit in the eye, it can dislodge the cornea. In addition, the doctor will prescribe eye drops. Even if it doesn’t seem necessary, the eyes will be dry. The drops will also help prevent infection. Even if the drops sting temporarily, it is vital to keep using them as instructed. Failure to take proper care of the eyes can result in vision that is impaired worse than prior to Lasik.

Lasik is not a one-time fix-all procedure. Vision made need corrected again at a later date. Once the surgery has been done, there is no going back. Lasik is the only way to possibly achieve pre-operative sight. However, scar tissue may become an issue.

What If

If the ophthalmologist does not want to perform Lasik because of a preexisting eye condition, Lasek might still be a viable option. The procedure is a little more invasive; but, it has been successful performed on patients with thin corneas and dry eye.

However, it is important to understand that the healing process takes much longer. In addition, it may be weeks before the patient or the doctor know if it has been successful. The recovery is generally more uncomfortable than Lasik, and the potential side effects are more numerous than with Lasik.

Although a few patients have been disappointed with the Lasik eye surgery procedure, the overwhelming majority find the operation a complete success. Many can put down their glasses or donate them to good will. Still others only need to wear corrective lenses for reading. Especially for the patients with extremely impaired vision, the potential benefits generally outweigh the risks. In no time at all, they see the world more clearly than they ever have in the past.

How much is Lasik Eye Surgery

With any potential surgical procedure, patients have many concerns and questions. Before deciding on treatment, especially if it’s elective, it’s important to talk to the doctor and get all of the answers.  For example, if you are hoping to stamp out your need for corrective lenses, one of the first questions will be:

How much is Lasik Eye Surgery? But, if you are not comfortable with the doctor or the answers to all of your inquiries, get a second, third or fourth opinion.  You don’t want anyone doing an invasive procedure on your eyes, unless you are confident in their knowledge and ability.

Here are a few of the questions you should ask, before agreeing to laser surgery on your eyes:

1. How much is Lasik eye surgery?

The average cost of Lasik is approximately $2000 per eye.  The price is based on a set figure, to include all of the details related to the procedure.  If you do a Web search, you will likely find providers that will do each eye for under $500.  But, view this offer with caution.  You will have to find out why they can offer Lasik for so much less.  Is the equipment substandard?  Is the doctor inexperienced? Has the doctor had too many patients with negative results?

2. How does Lasik work?

When your eyes have refractory errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, the light is not reaching the retina at the right angle to correctly view what is within your line of vision. The error is caused by a cornea that isn’t shaped correctly.  During the procedure, the doctor will use a laser to make a cut in the cornea and pull back a flap.  Then, the cornea will be reshaped to reflect the light correctly.  Then, the cornea is put back in place.  If all goes well, many patients will experience 20/20 vision.

3. Do I qualify for Lasik?

Not everyone that wants Lasik will be granted the procedure.  For some patients, the risks are greater than the benefits; so, the doctor wants to make sure:

• Your eyes are healthy and have no underlying conditions that will adversely affect the outcome of the procedure.

• You are not pregnant.  Because of hormonal changes, this is not the best time for Lasik.
• Your vision must be stable for at least a year.
• You must be an adult.
• Your prescription must be within specific criteria for the procedure, or the necessary changes will need to be too drastic.
• If you have autoimmune diseases like diabetes, arthritis, or other illnesses, you may not qualify for Lasik.

4. What are the risks of Lasik surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there is an element of risk involved, even under the best of circumstances.  While most patients are pleased with the outcome, there are those that experience adverse side effects like:

• Perpetual dry eye
• Vision that is worse than before the procedure
• Corneas that will not heal
• Halo vision
• Starlight vision
• Blurry vision
• Detached retina
• Inability to accurately diagnose glaucoma or cataracts
• And more

5. Will further surgery be necessary?

In some cases, further surgery will be necessary.  You may want to have another procedure if the first one was less than satisfactory.  Also, if you should have complications after Lasik, another operation may be necessary to correct the vision problem. Also Lasik is not a cure-all.  With age, the eyes will once again deteriorate.

6.Is he/she the right surgeon?

When selecting a doctor to perform the surgery, you will want to consider certain criteria, such as:

• License
• Board certification
• Membership with the American College of Surgeons
• Referrals
• Experience
• Education

7.Will I need corrective lenses after surgery?

For some patients, Lasik will not be enough to correct vision to 20/20.  Some people will still need corrective lenses to read or drive.  Some patients may opt to have the surgery redone.  For others, this is simply not an option.  Also, the surgery doesn’t last forever. With time and age, the eyes will naturally deteriorate, and need corrective lenses again.

Anytime you are considering elective surgery, it is vital to understand the pros and cons of the procedure, before signing on the dotted line. Ask all the questions you need to, in order to ascertain whether the facility and health care provider is right for you.  Shop around. Be leery of the provider that offers Lasik at bargain basement prices.  There is likely a catch that makes it so much cheaper than the competition. Be comfortable with your doctor’s education and level of experience, because you only want the best for your eyes.

Lasek vs. Lasik

One little letter can make a huge difference, especially when you are discussing surgical procedures to correct vision impairment.  Before agreeing to any operation to improve or eliminate your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, make sure you understand the distinction between Lasek and Lasik surgery.  Knowing exactly what to expect, and having a realistic expectation of the outcome, will help you decide whether laser surgery is right for you.

Lenses vs. Laser

When the eye is shaped perfectly, the light enters the eye and sends a picture of what is visible back to the retina.  It develops the image and sends the message to the brain. Instantaneously, an individual takes in clear picture after picture.  However, if the cornea is too oblong or flat in shape, the message to the retina is distorted.  The result is like a photograph out of focus.
When an optometrist determines the strength of a corrective lens, he/she is essentially prescribing the thickness and angle needed to send the right message to the retina.  As a result, people who can only see objects clearly at a close distance, nearsighted, can now see images farther away.  Conversely, individuals who are farsighted see images farther away better than something right in front of their faces.  In addition, lenses can correct distortions in vision that are referred to as astigmatism.
Laser surgery is essentially meant to achieve the same result as vision aids.  However, instead of changing the angle of the light reaching the retina by using a vision aid, it actually changes the shape of the cornea.  Then, it will eliminate or improve a refractory error.  Patients hope to put their glasses down, reduce the strength of their prescriptions, or maybe only use them for reading.
Naturally, corrective lenses are a lot cheaper than invasive surgery.  Because there are no guarantees, it is important to understand both the pros and cons of lenses vs. laser.  Then make an informed decision about treatment for vision correction.

Laser vs. Laser

Although physicians have been using surgery to correct vision problems for the better part of a century, it wasn’t until recently that the procedures have been refined and more widely used by the general public. Today, many patients who need corrective lenses have opted to undergo the procedure, in the hope of being able to put down their glasses, or at least minimize their use.
But, as with any invasive medical procedure, it is important that the patient understand the potential risks, as well as the benefits.  In addition, having a realistic expectation of the outcome will help prevent disappointment and stress, if their vision is not 20/20, when the surgery is complete.  Also, it is not a lifetime assurance that glasses will not be needed again in the future.
With that said, the most common procedure is probably Lasik.  The procedure uses a laser to peel back the cornea, correct its shape so that the light is refracted correctly, and put back in place.  Many people prefer this procedure because:
•    Recovery time is 2-3 days
•    Patient can usually drive within a day
•    The surgical results are realized more quickly
•    Discomfort is minimal
However, Lasik is not without some risks.  The eye must be healthy for the surgery to work appropriately.  If the cornea is too thin, or the patient suffers from dry eye, the result of Lasik surgery is likely to be less than desirable.  In addition, there is a greater chance of longer lasting negative side effects as a result.
Lasek is also a laser-based surgery for the eye.  It is not as common, but it is usually recommended to patients that don’t qualify for Lasik.  The results are generally more positive for the individuals with a thin cornea or dry eyes.  But, it has some drawbacks that make it a little less desirable:
•    Takes longer to heal
•    Patients will not be able to drive for approximately a week.
•    Recovery is more uncomfortable
•    6-8 Weeks to achieve max benefit from surgery
In short, there are risks with any surgical procedure.  Therefore, it is important to know your doctor and be confident in his/her knowledge and abilities.  To minimize the chances of side effects, it is vital to follow the physician’s advice and become well-informed on both the pros and cons of Lasik and Lasek surgeries. Follow all medical directions before and after the procedure, to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.  Also, have a realistic view of the end result, and know that Laser surgery will not guarantee perfect vision for a lifetime.  For many patients, the outcome will depend on how they take care of their eyes. Lasik and Lasek are only tools to help you see the world more clearly.