Benefits and Risks

As with any elective procedure it is important to read these materials carefully and discuss the benefits, risks, and expected results with your physician, in order to make the decision that is right for you.

Benefits

• The potential to reduce your myopia while also reducing the percentage of time glasses or contact lenses are required and eliminating the need in many people.
• An alternative to glasses for some people intolerant of contact lenses.
• For people who are unable to wear glasses for occupational or life-style reasons, an option to reduce or correct their myopia.

Risks

• Anterior stromal reticular haze: A loss of perfect clarity of the cornea, usually not affecting vision , which often resolves over time.
• Dry Eyes: Dry eye occurs frequently and requires routine use of artificial tears for 4-6 months. Occasionally, dry eye can be permanent or may require additional treatment such as punctal plugs.
• Glare: A sensation produced by bright lights that is greater than normal and can cause discomfort and annoyance.
• Halo: A halo or hazy rings surrounding bright lights may be seen particularly at night.
• Loss of best corrected acuity: An inability to correct your vision with glasses or contact lenses to the level it was before this procedure.
• IOP elevation: An increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) due to post-treatment medications which is usually resolved by drug therapy or discontinuation of post-treatment medications.
• Overcorrection or undercorrection of vision: It may be that refractive surgery will not give you the result you desired. In some, but not all cases, retreatment, glasses, or contact lenses could be effective in correcting vision.
• Other risks: Loss of corneal flap or malfunction of the microkeratome with the LASIK procedure, requiring further corrective procedures.
• Surgery will not eliminate the need for reading glasses and for some people may require their use at an earlier age.