When LASIK is performed by a well-qualified and experienced eye doctor on a good candidate, it gives outstanding and exciting results. Almost immediately, most people have 20/20 vision, or something close to it, and are able to discard their eyewear.

However, LASIK is a surgery and all surgeries bring risk. Since LASIK is an eye surgery, the risks relate to your eye health and vision and you should be aware of them before having the procedure done. Actually, your LASIK surgeon will explain the risks beforehand and give them to you in printed form. It is standard procedure before any surgery that the patient signs a Patient Consent form, stating that they are aware of the potential risks and would like to have the surgery done.

Most of the complications that can happen after LASIK surgery relate to the corneal flap. That flap is created and folded back before the laser does vision correction; then it is replaced and typically it heals by itself. Some of the things that could go wrong during your recovery are:

• Infection beneath the flap
• Wrinkles forming in the flap
• The flap being dislodged somehow

These things can be addressed by your LASIK surgeon and will usually resolve well. You can help to avoid them by following your surgeons recovery instructions to the letter. Most often, it is a person rubbing their eyes that causes these problems. In the days after surgery, your eyes will be dry and may have a gritty feeling. You will have moisturizing eyedrops to help with that and as the eyes recover, the dryness and grittiness will subside.

For more on how LASIK is done, please see The LASIK Procedure and for how we will care for you throughout your time with us, please see The Horizon LASIK Advantage. If you would like to have a personal consultation with one of our eye surgeons, please call or email us today.