Complications of LASIK Surgery

• LASIK Complications

As this eMedTV page explains, while it is generally a safe procedure, there are possible problems that may occur with LASIK. Complications may include inflammation, severe infection, severe bleeding, and flap complications.

• Infection Following LASIK Eye Surgery

With many medical procedures, there is a risk of developing an infection. Following LASIK eye surgery, as this eMedTV article explains, patients are given antibiotics to help prevent infections, so the chances are less than 1 in 1,000 patients.

• Subretinal Hemorrhage With LASIK

Subretinal hemorrhage with LASIK is extremely rare, but it is a possibility patients need to be aware of. This eMedTV Web page explains how subretinal hemorrhage can result in bleeding in the back of the eye and lead to significant vision loss.

• Flap Complications After LASIK Eye Surgery

Flap complications after LASIK eye surgery range from an irregular or incomplete flap to a "free cap." This eMedTV resource describes these and other flap complications and explains how they are treated and how they affect the outcome of surgery.

• Inflammation of the Eye Following LASIK

Some patients have experienced inflammation of the eye following LASIK eye surgery. This page of the eMedTV Web site discusses the likelihood of developing eye inflammation, the potential complications it can cause, and treatment options available.

• Retinal Detachment With LASIK Eye Surgery

A potential major complication of eye surgery is retinal detachment. With LASIK eye surgery, as this eMedTV page explains, if a retinal detachment develops, which occurs in 1 out of 1,000 cases, additional surgery may be needed to repair the damage.

• Decentration and LASIK Eye Surgery

Some eye surgeries can lead to decentration, and LASIK eye surgery carries this risk. As this eMedTV page explains, this happens when the laser is not properly aligned with your eye, resulting in blurred vision and a glare that worsens at night.

• Undercorrection or Overcorrection With LASIK

It is possible for a person to have undercorrection or overcorrection with LASIK eye surgery. This eMedTV page offers reasons why this happens, such as the result of abnormal healing around the surgical area or unusual responses to the laser.

• Mechanical Failure During LASIK Eye Surgery

All surgical procedures have the risk of mechanical failure. During LASIK eye surgery, as this eMedTV segment explains, mechanical failure will result in a delayed surgery, and mechanical problems with the microkeratome can cause flap complications.

• Perforated Cornea During LASIK

An extremely rare complication of LASIK is a perforated cornea. During LASIK eye surgery, as this eMedTV Web page explains, a perforation, which can vary in size and may lead to severe vision loss, occurs in less than 1 out of 1,000 cases.

• Dry Eyes After LASIK

It is common for patients to experience dry eyes after LASIK eye surgery. This portion of the eMedTV Web site explains who is more likely to develop this condition, how long dry eyes are expected to last, and various treatment options.

• Shifted, Dislodged, or Wrinkled Flap After LASIK

As explained in this eMedTV resource, a rare complication of LASIK is developing a shifted, dislodged, or wrinkled flap. After LASIK, eye flap problems can occur with the removal of the eyelid speculum, eye rubbing, or other eye injuries.

• Epithelial Complications After LASIK Eye Surgery

Epithelial complications after LASIK eye surgery, while rare, won't affect the final outcome. However, as this eMedTV page explains, they may lead to a delayed condition called epithelial ingrowth, which is either left alone or removed surgically.

• Glare and Halos After LASIK

It is not uncommon to experience glare and halos after LASIK eye surgery. As this eMedTV article explains, most patients experience glare or halos at night for the first few weeks to months after surgery, but these symptoms tend to improve over time.