What percent of people have problems with LASIK?

The LASIK complication rate is only about 0.3\%. The most commonly reported LASIK complications are infection or dry eye that persists for more than six months. Other complications include: Undercorrections occur when the laser removes too little tissue.

Is LASIK flap permanent?

LASIK surgeons actually take advantage of this reduced tensile-strength wound healing; in the unlikely scenario in which additional laser treatment may be necessary, LASIK flaps can usually be re-lifted months or even years following the original surgery.

Why does LASIK need a flap?

During LASIK surgery, a small flap is created in the frontal, topmost layer of the cornea. This layer is called the epithelium. Using this epithelial flap, the cornea can be reshaped and recontoured as needed to address refractive errors (i.e., myopia/nearsightedness, hyperopia/farsightedness, and astigmatism).

Can I sneeze after LASIK?

If you sneeze, move or blink during the treatment, the laser tracks your eye over one thousand times per second and adjusts the laser to make certain the laser is applied to exactly the right place. So, there is no reason to worry if you sneeze during LASIK.

Will the corneal flap ever heal after LASIK?

Myth: A common concern about Lasik surgery is that the corneal flap will never heal. To break it down quite simply…give it some time. In the early days after Lasik, wounds should be handled with great care because that’s when the eye is most vulnerable and susceptible to trauma.

How common are late traumatic flap complications after LASIK?

In a Chinese literature review, 550 cases of late traumatic flap complications were found. The cornea is incapable of complete healing after LASIK. The cornea forms a miniscule scar at the edge of the LASIK flap, which holds the flap in place, but the flap itself does not bond to the underlying cornea.

Why did my LASIK flap separate from my eye?

Due to a minor contact lens-related trauma which would have been uneventful in a normal eye, the LASIK flap separated from the underlying cornea in the 4:00 to 6:00 quadrant. The greenish-yellow dye which was instilled in the eye has penetrated under the flap.

What are the risks of LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK patients are at life-long risk of flap dislocation, infection, epithelial ingrowth, DLK, and other complications. (Click on the photo to view a larger image.) In the second image, the red arrow points to a dark area of space where the flap is not attached to the cornea. This space runs along the flap margin.