Laser Eye Center of Hawaii - Possible Risks Following Laser Vision Correction Surgery

Possible Risks Following
Laser Vision Correction Surgery

over 20,000 successful procedures

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In order to make an informed decision as to whether laser vision correction is a good alternative for you, it is important to understand the potential risks. In general the risks are low, but there are still important factors to consider. Most risks with PRK are related to healing, while in LASIK, they are related to the creation of the flap. LASIK, however, offers quicker visual recovery with less discomfort.

UNDERCORRECTION Undercorrection is more common than overcorrection. Slight undercorrection will not seriously affect your vision and may be desirable in patients over 40 years of age to help with reading vision. More significant undercorrections may require an enhancement procedure. (The incidence varies with each individual prescription but is more common in higher myopes.)

OVERCORRECTION It is common that with laser vision correction, your distance vision clears first followed by your near vision. If overcorrection occurs, the condition usually corrects itself within the first month. Overcorrection may make your vision at close range more difficult, but significant overcorrections are rare (about 2%).

NIGHT GLARE and HALOS These conditions are common immediately following the procedure. They almost always clear within the first three months and are usually resolved after you have had the other eye corrected. Sometimes an eyeglass prescription for night driving may be needed. (The incidence is about 2%.)

LOSS OF BEST-CORRECTED VISION A small number of patients may experience a slight loss of visual sharpness following the laser vision correction treatment. This means that even with your best correction you may lose the ability to read the last one to three lines of the eye examination chart. This may be due to irregular healing or an irregular flap, and may improve over the first year. (The incidence of this condition is less than 2%.)

INFECTION Although infection is the most feared by patients, it is extremely rare (less than 1%). If it does occur, it usually happens within the first 48-72 hours. You will receive antibiotic drops after the procedure to help prevent infection.

HAZE Haze is a term for a protein that develops on the surface of the eye following laser refractive procedures. A small amount of haze is very common and is thought to be aggravated by ultraviolet light. Therefore, it is important, particularly in Hawaii, to wear sunglasses with good ultraviolet protection. Even a moderate amount of haze does not affect your vision. (Serious haze may occur in less than 1% of patients who have undergone PRK and very rarely with LASIK.)

CORNEAL FLAP RISKS Corneal flap risks are rare (less than 1%). These include irregular flaps, lost flaps, and inflammation beneath the flap, which may result in loss of best-corrected vision.

REGRESSION Regression refers to the tendency of the eye to drift back toward your original vision prior to the laser treatment. This occurs more commonly with patients who have higher levels of myopia. Enhancement procedures may be needed to fine-tune the initial treatment. In some cases, glasses for night driving may be all that you need.

DRY EYES It is possible that dryness of the eyes will occur following LASIK surgery. This is mostly a temporary condition, although if there is a pre-existing dry eye condition before surgery, it can become severe in the early healing stages. This condition is managed by frequent use of rewetting drops following surgery. For severe conditions, punctal plugs may be inserted.

UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS A patient who has unrealistic expectations will be the unhappiest patient of all. Although our procedures are highly successful, we cannot promise you 20/20 vision without correction. With laser vision correction treatment, we can significantly reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses, but most patients may need glasses for reading eventually. Some may even need a thin pair of glasses for critical distance activities. It is best for you to think of this procedure not as eliminating your need for glasses, but reducing your dependence upon them and improving your vision.


"Being a surfer, I was so bummed when I found out I needed glasses. I wore contacts out in the water but would always have to close my eyes under water. When I heard about LASIK, I asked my eye doctor and he recommended the Laser Eye Center of Hawaii. The rest is history. I am so stoked with my new vision—in the surf and out on the golf course too. It’s awesome!" Jason Sakamoto Oakley Hawaii	Possible Risks Following Laser Vision Correction Surgery In order to make an informed decision as to whether laser vision correction is a good alternative for you, it is important to understand the potential risks. In general the risks are low, but there are still important factors to consider. Most risks with PRK are related to healing, while in LASIK, they are related to the creation of the flap. LASIK, however, offers quicker visual recovery with less discomfort. UNDERCORRECTION Undercorrection is more common than overcorrection. Slight undercorrection will not seriously affect your vision and may be desirable in patients over 40 years of age to help with reading vision. More significant undercorrections may require an enhancement procedure. (The incidence varies with each individual prescription but is more common in higher myopes.) OVERCORRECTION It is common that with laser vision correction, your distance vision clears first followed by your near vision. If overcorrection occurs, the condition usually corrects itself within the first month. Overcorrection may make your vision at close range more difficult, but significant overcorrections are rare (about 2%). NIGHT GLARE and HALOS These conditions are common immediately following the procedure. They almost always clear within the first three months and are usually resolved after you have had the other eye corrected. Sometimes an eyeglass prescription for night driving may be needed. (The incidence is about 2%.) LOSS OF BEST-CORRECTED VISION A small number of patients may experience a slight loss of visual sharpness following the laser vision correction treatment. This means that even with your best correction you may lose the ability to read the last one to three lines of the eye examination chart. This may be due to irregular healing or an irregular flap, and may improve over the first year. (The incidence of this condition is less than 2%.) INFECTION Although infection is the most feared by patients, it is extremely rare (less than 1%). If it does occur, it usually happens within the first 48-72 hours. You will receive antibiotic drops after the procedure to help prevent infection. HAZE Haze is a term for a protein that develops on the surface of the eye following laser refractive procedures. A small amount of haze is very common and is thought to be aggravated by ultraviolet light. Therefore, it is important, particularly in Hawaii, to wear sunglasses with good ultraviolet protection. Even a moderate amount of haze does not affect your vision. (Serious haze may occur in less than 1% of patients who have undergone PRK and very rarely with LASIK.) CORNEAL FLAP RISKS Corneal flap risks are rare (less than 1%). These include irregular flaps, lost flaps, and inflammation beneath the flap, which may result in loss of best-corrected vision. REGRESSION Regression refers to the tendency of the eye to drift back toward your original vision prior to the laser treatment. This occurs more commonly with patients who have higher levels of myopia. Enhancement procedures may be needed to fine-tune the initial treatment. In some cases, glasses for night driving may be all that you need. DRY EYES It is possible that dryness of the eyes will occur following LASIK surgery. This is mostly a temporary condition, although if there is a pre-existing dry eye condition before surgery, it can become severe in the early healing stages. This condition is managed by frequent use of rewetting drops following surgery. For severe conditions, punctal plugs may be inserted. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS A patient who has unrealistic expectations will be the unhappiest patient of all. Although our procedures are highly successful, we cannot promise you 20/20 vision without correction. With laser vision correction treatment, we can significantly reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses, but most patients may need glasses for reading eventually. Some may even need a thin pair of glasses for critical distance activities. It is best for you to think of this procedure not as eliminating your need for glasses, but reducing your dependence upon them and improving your vision.