Occasionally, mechanical failure of medical equipment can occur. Medical equipment is regularly tested and meets strict standards. Medical equipment problems are extremely rare. However, man-made products can fail or malfunction.

In most cases, a mechanical failure will simply mean that the surgery must be delayed or postponed.

In rare instances, mechanical problems using the microkeratome, can cause flap complications. In these cases, the surgery may need to be stopped and scheduled for a later date.