Although LASIK surgery is often performed with no problem, just like with any other surgery there are risks involved. LASIK is, for the most part, a safe procedure as long as you are working with an experienced doctor. Like anything else, practice makes perfect. The more times your doctor has performed this procedure the more likely you are to have a successful surgery and obtain the results that you and your doctor are looking, and hoping for.

A few years ago roughly five percent of LASIK patients experienced undesired outcomes from their LASIK procedure. Today, that number seems to be hovering around 1 percent and getting smaller all the time. Contributing to this decline in unfavorable results is new tools, new techniques, and more experienced doctors. The experience of the doctor is one of the most important variables in the success of your surgery. Doctors who have performed less than 200 procedures tend to have less favorable outcomes, almost 4 percent more of the time than those doctors who have performed over 200 surgeries. That being said, it is important that you take the time to find an experienced doctor who will take the time to make sure the surgery goes as well as it possibly can.

There are, unfortunately, several different complications/risks that can be a byproduct of an unsuccessful surgery. Some of the most common are; Haloing, starburst, double vision, ghosting, dry eye syndrome, and irregular astigmatism. These complications, although rare, are not always correctable after the fact, and can become life long problems for those that do experience them. It is also important to understand that many of these conditions may be experienced immediately following the surgery but will gradually improve with time. Expect that your vision will not be perfect immediately following the procedure.

A majority of unfavorable results can be attributed to problems with the flap cut into the cornea of the eye to allow the laser to pass through the cornea. This flap is cut in one of two ways. The most common way is using a device known as a microkeratome. A microkeratome uses a blade to cut the flap which is then laid back over the eye after the surgery. The newest way to create this flap is by using a second laser known as Intralase. Intralase has been shown to be more accurate thus resulting in an increased rate of successful procedures with fewer complications following the surgery. Regardless of which method is used, if the flap is cut incorrectly it can fail to reattach itself properly and result in some of the complications listed above.

For the most part LASIK has become and is continuing to become just as safe as other elective surgeries. Although some risks do exists, a majority of individuals report great success with LASIK and it will only continue to become more popular. As with any surgery, make sure you do your research and make sure you choose a qualified, proven doctor to perform this procedure and soon you