4 Things You Need To Know Before Undergoing LASIK Surgery
Posted on: 27 March 2015
LASIK is a laser-assisted surgical procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea in order to correct your vision. The success rate of LASIK is quite high, with 96 percent of patients achieving their desired vision after undergoing the procedure. However, if you're considering LASIK as a way of reducing (or eliminating) your dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses, there are four things you should know:
1. You May Need a Second Surgery to Achieve Satisfactory Vision
Although most patients are satisfied with the results of a single LASIK procedure, it is sometimes necessary to undergo a second surgery, known as an "enhancement," to sharpen your vision. Keep in mind you will likely need to wait several months after the initial LASIK procedure before you can undergo the surgical enhancement.
This gives your eyes a chance to heal properly and allows your eyeglass prescription enough time to stabilize before the second surgery.
2. The Results of LASIK May Not Be Permanent
Although it's not common, some patients experience a decline in their vision many years after undergoing the LASIK procedure. Farsighted patients, or those who wear reading glasses, have the highest risk of eventual vision regression, but if it does occur, additional surgery may be possible to correct the problem. There's no need to be alarmed about this potential risk, but it is something you might want to discuss with your optometrist before undergoing LASIK.
3. Your Dry Eye Symptoms May Worsen After LASIK
If you have a history of dry eye, it's important to realize that LASIK may cause your symptoms to persist or become worse. Before undergoing the surgery, be sure to discuss this issue with your doctor or optometrist to find out how it may impact LASIK. While many patients experience temporary dry-eye symptoms immediately after the procedure, in some cases, the condition becomes permanent.
4. LASIK May Impair Your Night Vision
In rare cases, patients experience night vision problems after undergoing LASIK. The symptoms usually include:
- Visual Halos Around Objects
- Double Vision
- Glare
Some people are more prone to developing night vision issues after LASIK, depending on certain eye characteristics that can be identified by your doctor before the procedure. Be sure to talk to your optometrist or surgeon about your risks of impaired night vision.
LASIK surgery provides amazing results for many patients, but like any other surgical procedure, there are potential complications (as mentioned above). Before you undergo laser-assisted surgery on your eyes, educate yourself about the procedure discuss any concerns you may have with your eye doctor.
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