LASIK Project

In the late 1990s, opthalmologists rediscovered an obscure and risky procedure called radial keratotomy to correct small impairments of vision. From this, LASIK was born to ease the suffering of contact lens wearers. Although this procedure is commonly believe to be safer than its precedessor, no surgery is without risk. Awareness of the short and long-term consequences of LASIK is a must for anyone contemplating this elective surgery.

LASIK is short for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” In essence, the cornea is reshaped using a laser. The cornea can then more easily focus light coming into the eye on the retina. The procedure is short, usually only five minutes, depending on the prescription.

Immediately after surgery, all patients see blurry. Someone else must drive you home. Other immediate symptoms include light sensitivity and eye irritation. Even tearing of the eye is possible. However, many of these symptoms are normal.

In order for the eye to properly heal, most doctors prescribe rest. In many cases, strenuous exercise is not allowed for at least a week. There is a danger of displacing the corneal changes made during surgery. Touching or rubbing the eye can also cause damage. Swimming or eye makeup is also prohibited. Taking care of oneself after surgery can be just as important as the surgery itself. The consequences may be another trip to the doctor. However, most short-term effects only last a few weeks. The longer term effects can be more complicated and dangerous.

Not everyone experiences 20/20 vision, and some people still need to wear eyeglasses or contacts after surgery. If vision improves, but than gradually declines, he may be experiencing regression. Although this is rare, a surgeon will have to fix the condition if necessary. Sometimes, the decline in vision cannot be fixed, or the risked are too dangerous. Patients should be aware that there may not be a cure-all to their vision woes.

Other post-operative complications include infection. Patients must take antibiotics after surgery, but rarely, and devestatingly, infection can occur. It must be treated or it can lead to a scarred cornea or even the loss of the eye. Although corneal transplants are possible, an infection is extremely painful.

A more common long-term side-effect of the surgery may be night glare. This symptom occurs when one looks into lights and sees spots or halos. It can have a debilitative effect on night driving. The FDA even warns that LASIK patients may be lose their ability to drive at night completely.

LASIK does not prevent presbyopia, the normal, age-related loss of near vision that often occurs at the age of 40. While cures for this condition are currently being studied, there is nothing to correct it today.

While most people find great success through the procedure, the long-term effects are still being studied. Many docotors and patients fear there have not been enough studies on this life-changing procedure. In late 2009, the FDA announced it had launched a major post-surgery quality of life survey in collaboration with the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the U.S. Department of Defense. One of the goals of the study is to conduct a national multi-center clinical trial to assess outcomes of the procedure in the general patient population. The study should be completed by the end of 2012.