Custom LASIK Complications and Risks

Custom LASIK complications are rare. Risks, however, do exist, as with any surgery. Be sure you talk to your LASIK surgeon about any concerns before undergoing laser vision correction. Below is some general information concerning the potential risks and complications associated with custom LASIK.

Custom LASIK – Potential Complications

Custom LASIK is associated with complications that are similar in nature to those of conventional LASIK. However, studies on custom LASIK have shown that the risks of these complications are lower than with standard LASIK. It’s been shown that complications arise in only 0.03 percent to 5.7 percent of all custom and conventional LASIK procedures combined. Almost all are resolved within six months and without permanent vision loss. An even lower percentage of complications are attributed to custom LASIK cases.

Many complications such as dry eye, inflammation, and redness can be treated using drops or artificial tears. Infections that occur can be treated with eye drops or oral medications.

Other complications can result from the hinged corneal flap that is created during the procedure. If the flap does not heal correctly, it can cause irregularities in the surface of the eye, such as wrinkling or bulges, which can produce vision problems.

Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), also known as “Sands of the Sahara,” may be caused by cellular material trapped underneath the corneal flap. This can cause the eye to bulge, resulting in permanent scarring and loss of vision if it is not dealt with properly.

Other custom LASIK complications could arise during surgery such as malfunction of the instruments or loss of a corneal flap. It is also possible that you may be over- or undercorrected; however, this is very unlikely because the laser is guided by a computer that uses extremely precise Wavefront™ data. It is important to discuss custom LASIK risks and your concerns with a doctor. It’s also important to thoroughly research different surgeons before making a final decision on which one will perform your surgery.

Is Custom LASIK Safer than Traditional LASIK?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated custom LASIK. However, when compared with conventional LASIK, custom LASIK has far fewer risks and complications following surgery, making it the safer of the two procedures. Mapping the cornea helps to tailor the procedure to each patient's individual features, so there is less room for errors that could affect your quality of vision. The incidence of problems such as halos, glare, decreased night vision, and blurriness is also far less with custom LASIK. Learn more about custom LASIK benefits.

Find a LASIK Eye Doctor in Your Area

If you are considering custom LASIK to improve your vision, it is important to talk to an eye doctor in your area about the different custom LASIK risks and complications. During a consultation, he or she can fully explain these and other considerations before you make your decision. Find a qualified eye surgeon in your area to answer your questions about custom LASIK surgery.