LASIK Risks, Complications, Side Effects, Problems
Patients place their trust in LASIK surgeons to disclose risks and potential problems of the surgery. LASIK surgeons behave more like used car salesmen than physicians, talking up the benefits of the procedure while downplaying or concealing complications.
FDA clinical trials demonstrate alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision problems after LASIK. A published review of data from twelve FDA clinical trials for LASIK, including newer technology, reveals that six months after LASIK, 17.5% of patients report halos, 19.7% report glare (starbursts), 19.3% have night-driving problems and 21% complain of eye dryness. Source: Bailey MD, Zadnik K. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers. Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54.
A few of the possible complications of LASIK surgery are listed on the left menu bar. LASIK surgeons quote complication rates of 1% or less, but what defines a "complication"? Read: The Problem with LASIK Complication Rates.
LASIK surgeons don't consider dry eyes and night vision problems as "complications", even though they may be debilitating and permanent. And no one is tracking long-term consequences and late-onset complications. LASIK surgeons are well aware that complications after LASIK are common...
Villa et al: "Patients undergoing LASIK procedures display an increase of halo phenomena around lights in night vision conditions, even when the results of the surgery are considered entirely satisfactory according to current international standards of predictability, efficacy and safety." Source: Br J Ophthalmol. 2007 Aug;91(8):1031-7.
Bailey MD, Zadnik K.: "Night vision and dryness symptoms still occur in a significant proportion of patients."
Source: Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers
Marguerite McDonald, MD: "With LASIK, roughly half of my patients had dry eye complaints after surgery - and in about half of these, the symptoms were severe."
Source: www.RefractiveEyecare.com, December 2005
Sugar et al: "Serious adverse complications leading to significant permanent visual loss such as infections and corneal ectasia probably occur rarely in LASIK procedures; however, side effects such as dry eyes, night time starbursts, and reduced contrast sensitivity occur relatively frequently." Source: Ophthalmology. 2002 Jan;109(1):175-87.
This is a photograph of a herpes keratitis lesion following LASIK surgery. This condition may lead to permanent scarring and blindness. History of herpes keratitis is a contraindication for LASIK surgery, as surgical trauma may trigger reactivation. Note: The faint ring around the cornea in this photo is the margin of the LASIK flap.
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Image courtesy of Dr. Edward Boshnick.
YouTube: LASIK Flap Disintegrates Upon Lifting for Enhancement
- A 2009 Consumer Reports Health survey finds 53% of laser eye surgery patients experience at least one side effect and 22% still have problems six months after surgery. Read article
- Large collection of peer-reviewed journal abstracts that demonstrate that LASIK is a harmful surgery. Link
- Behind the scenes, leading surgeons are voicing serious concerns about LASIK and some have already abandoned the procedure completely... Read more.
- Serious complications such as delayed ectasia occuring years after LASIK have caused many in the industry to question the safety of the procedure. Read medical studies that reveal problems inherent to LASIK surgery: Medical Studies
- Researchers report that LASIK eyes have a 48% reduction in corneal biomechanical strength. Read article
- If you want to do your own LASIK research, a good place to start is on the government site, PubMed. Just remember, sometimes you must read between the lines or obtain the full-text of an article. Conclusions written by biased LASIK surgeons can be misleading and self-serving. Do not rely on information found on Internet sites owned, operated or supported by LASIK surgeons, or sites that refer patients to LASIK surgeons.
Accident rates for pilots with refractive surgery higher than non-refractive pilots
Nakagawara, V.B., Montgomery, R.W., and Wood, K.J. The Aviation Accident Experience of Civilian Airmen With Refractive Surgery. June 2002. Sponsored by Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation
Excerpts: The accident rates for airmen with refractive surgery were higher than those of non-refractive surgery airmen within each class of medical certification and as a total group...The report narratives revealed only three references to visual difficulties. One report described the aircraft striking an unattended baggage cart while taxiing at night on a poorly-lit parking ramp. A second accident was a midair collision in which both pilots reportedly failed to “see-and-avoid” one another. (Note: The other pilot involved in this accident did not have refractive surgery.) The third accident occurred as the pilot attempted to land on a section of beach that he thought was wet sand, which was actually a 6 to 8-inch deep pool of water... If concerns regarding laser refractive procedures prove prophetic, it can have a severe impact on the visual performance of pilots and aviation safety in the future... Subjective complaints following refractive surgery include reduced contrast sensitivity, increased glare sensitivity, and the loss of best-corrected visual acuity. Some patients, who report seeing well in normal room lighting conditions, have found night driving to be difficult or impossible due to aberrations (i.e., halos, starbursts, and ghost images) from street lights, traffic lights, and oncoming headlights.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this web site is presented for the purpose of warning people about LASIK complications prior to surgery. LASIK patients experiencing problems should seek the advice of a physician.