Lasik surgery can be the perfect solution to your eye woes; but it's surgery nonetheless, and your eyes are irreplaceable. There are very few "do-overs" in the world of eye surgery, so it's important to know the major risks of Lasik.



The Risks Associated with Lasik

One of the major risks of Lasik is the origination or exacerbation of a dry eye problem. If one already suffers from this condition, or is worried about the possibility, the patient should consider alternatives to Lasik as it can make dry eye problems even worse, and permanent.

Another major risk with Lasik is having the surgery if one has thin corneas. Thin corneas can be a precursor or sign of keratoconus, a condition whereby the cornea becomes conical and turns into an irregular astigmatism. Other risks - for which statistics vary - include double vision, a fixed or rotating glare, rings of light ("halos") or starbursts of light. In very rare instances, patients may be unable to see as well as they could before even with glasses or contact lenses. Double vision has been reported as a side effect of Lasik procedure.

Lasik Patients Who Should Exercise Caution

People who are being treated with steroids, other drugs or infections which may delay the body's natural healing process should realize these are potential risks with having Lasik surgery, as success depends on the cornea and surrounding tissue healing quickly. Also, anyone with glaucoma or cataracts is at risk until and unless they have those conditions cleared up, and even then the candidate is at risk with Lasik.

Teenagers, and sometimes children who are younger, may be tempted to have Lasik performed to avoid the social embarrassment or athletic discomfort of lenses or glasses. This is a huge risk, since the eyeball is still forming. Also, women who are pregnant are subject to erroneous procedures, since the eye changes due to hormone fluctuations.

Find the Right Lasik Professional

One of the biggest risks of Lasik is not doing the research for an appropriate doctor to perform the procedure(s). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of eye centers who offer services at extremely low prices, but do your research to find a reputable care provider.