Individuals who want to see clearly without wearing corrective lenses or contacts are often interested in the possibility of LASIK eye surgery. As the most-performed vision correction surgery, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) aims to improve a person’s vision so they no longer need corrective lenses.
While LASIK has an extremely low complication rate and is actually one of the safest elective surgical procedures available. However, it can be daunting at first to hear that someone will be reshaping your eye with a laser.
If you’re considering surgery and have wondered if you can go blind from LASIK surgery, you wouldn’t be the only one.
Fortunately, you can put your fears to rest.
What are the chances of going blind from LASIK?
According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, the LASIK procedure is considered a safe ophthalmology surgery and has never been found to be the sole cause of blindness. This procedure has been intensively studied, performed, and perfected since 1993, making it one of the most routine corrective eye surgeries today. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has monitored the likelihood of adverse effects from the surgery and found that LASIK meets or exceeds all safety standards.
The FDA’s studies into LASIK also uncovered a 95% success rate and that less than 1% of LASIK patients reported symptoms that interfered with their daily activities.
Of course, you want to do what’s best for your eyes and do everything to protect your vision. And we understand that surgery involving a laser focused on the eyes can be a cause for concern for some. We hope that understanding the basics of LASIK will help alleviate some of those fears.
LASIK uses computer-assisted laser technology
Improvements in laser eye surgery’s advanced technology along with expert evaluation before, during, and after the procedure ensure that risks stay low. Before your surgery, your ophthalmologist will carefully examine your eyes. A Wavefront aberrometer—a special tool utilizing low-energy lasers—measures how light is refracted and moves through your lens to the retina. Any abnormalities or refractive errors that the tool finds can indicate vision problems, which your doctor will evaluate to decide if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. If you are, your measurement data will be input into the LASIK system.
The LASIK laser then reshapes the cornea to remedy vision concerns, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.
Incredibly sophisticated tracking systems, based on NASA technology, follow the most minute eye movements during the surgery, taking measurements up to 1,000 times each second. Should motion be detected, the laser automatically turns off. Computer-assisted technologies like these, combined with the skill of a LASIK surgeon, make today’s surgical correction procedures very safe and effective.
Complications and risks of LASIK
The good news is: no one has ever gone blind from LASIK. However, there are other side effects and potential LASIK complications to be aware of.
- Dry eyes. During the healing process, your tear production may temporarily decrease, resulting in dry eyes. This is usually temporary and can be treated with over-the-counter eye drops.
- Blurry vision. Your eyes must readjust to your new vision, so your vision is usually blurry for at least the first few hours. Blurry vision that lasts beyond the first couple weeks may indicate undercorrection or overcorrection, so let us know if you’re having trouble with your vision!
- Double vision, glare, or halos. Some patients experience a halo or double vision, especially at night. However, this rarely persists after the healing period.
- Infection. As with all types of surgery, there is a non-zero risk of infection. Following our after-care instructions and using your prescription antibiotic eye drops will keep your eyes healthy while they heal.
Generally, minor LASIK surgery side effects like dry eyes and halos get better as your eyes heal. Your eye doctor can assist with aftercare that can help you manage your symptoms and avoid serious complications.
Could contact lenses make you blind?
LASIK has never been reported as a cause of blindness and is in fact a very low-risk procedure.
However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that each year, 1 out of every 500 contact lens wearers experiences a severe corneal infection that could result in loss of vision.
Because contact lenses come into direct contact with your eye, there are many things that can introduce dangerous bacteria, such as:
- Not keeping your contact case clean
- Reusing contact solution
- Not washing hands before inserting or removing contact lenses
- Wearing contacts for extended periods
- Not replacing old contacts as recommended
The easiest way to avoid a dangerous eye infection is actually to get LASIK!
Considering LASIK? Trust AGEI with your vision
Assil Gaur Eye Institute remains laser-focused on our founding mission of providing exceptional eye care in a compassionate and caring environment. We continue to be driven to advance the field of ophthalmology to better treat our patients’ eyes, especially when it comes to technological advancements in laser eye surgery such as LASIK, LASEK, and PRK.
Beyond simple vision correction, the eye surgeons at AGEI are also experts in glaucoma, cataract surgery, retinal conditions, and other serious eye diseases.
Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.
We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
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