Related Links

Issues

Roles and Responsibilities

The FDA

The FTC

State Medical Boards

Issues at a Glance

Measuring Success

Dry eye is the most common complication of LASIK

Visual disturbances and reduced visual quality

Minimal healing of the LASIK flap

The cornea is permanently weakened

Inaccurate measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP)

LASIK complicates future LASIK surgery

Persistant decrease in corneal keratocyte density

LASIK complications may be permanent

LASIK complications may present weeks, months or years later

Success of LASIK is typically measured by the Snellen eye chart

Rehabiliation options for most LASIK complications are limited

Nearsighted LASIK patients over the age of 40

Bilateral simultaneous LASIK

Quality of life

A final consideration

 

Late Onset Complications

Complications of LASIK may present weeks, months or years after seemingly successful LASIK. Some late onset complications include ectasia, cataracts, flap dislocation, retinal detachment, loss of vision from undiagnosed glaucoma, loss of corneal clarity requiring corneal transplant, and eye infection resulting from infectious organisms penetrating the cornea at the flap margin.