Is LASIK Corrective Eye Surgery Dangerous?

LASIK vision correction eye surgery is a safe, effective way to achieve your highest level of vision. During LASIK eye surgery, your eye surgeon will use a small instrument to cut a flap in your cornea. He will then use a laser to precisely and delicately reshape your cornea to improve your vision. LASIK eye surgery is effective at correcting astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. While there are some side effects associated with the procedure, they are rare and temporary. Because candidates for LASIK must be in good physical health, with no underlying eye conditions or medical issues, the risks are low. If you are concerned about the safety of LASIK eye surgery or LASIK risks, you should discuss the procedure with your ophthalmologist or eye surgeon.

What Are the Common Side Effects of LASIK?

The most common side effects associated with LASIK eye surgery are mild and rare. Some patients have reported blurred vision, itchy or scratchy eyes, mild eye bruising, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision, eye glare or halos, and difficulty driving at night. These side effects are temporary. As with any eye surgery, there is a rare chance of more serious LASIK complications. This may include scarring, infection, or an inability to obtain your highest level of vision correction.

Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK?

Before deciding if you want LASIK, you will need to meet with your ophthalmologist to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. In order to be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you must:

  • Be over 18
  • Have stable vision
  • Be in good overall health
  • Be free from eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and herpes
  • Not have dry eye syndrome
  • Not have diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Have a prescription within -11 diopters of nearsightedness and +5 diopters for farsightedness, and 5 diopters for astigmatism
  • Not be pregnant or nursing
  • Not have thin corneas

What Is the Recovery Time for LASIK?

The LASIK procedure will take around 20 minutes to complete, and the immediate recovery time is between 6 and 12 hours, on average. Most patients can see clearly within 1 to 3 days after the procedure. Your recovery time may depend on your overall health and how well you follow your eye surgeon’s post-procedure instructions. Some patients have found that it takes up to six months after LASIK for their vision to fully stabilize. If you experience pain, swelling, fever, or other worsening symptoms, you should visit your eye doctor right away.

Schedule a Vision Test or Eye Exam in Denver, CO

If you’re ready to discuss the benefits of a LASIK procedure with an experienced ophthalmologist, come see us at Panorama LASIK. We offer laser vision correction, LASIK, EVO Visian ICL, SMILE, and PRK. To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK, call us today or request an appointment online.

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