What are the Chances of LASIK Surgery Going Wrong?

Laser Vision Correction in Kansas City is Safe for Patients Who Qualify

As a premier provider of LASIK surgery in Kansas City, Durrie Vision understands that undergoing any kind of eye procedure can leave patients feeling worried about complications.

But there’s a reason that LASIK is the most common laser vision correction surgery. The surgeons at our Overland Park practice are not only highly-skilled, they’re also pioneers of vision correction, developing new, scientifically-accepted methods to help patients improve their eyesight.i

Under their expert care, the complication rate for LASIK surgery is extremely low, with less than one percent of patients reporting any.

Let’s explore why that is, and how you can determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

LASIK Surgery Complication or Side Effect?

When eye surgeons talk about complications or side effects of vision correction surgery, they’re talking about very different things.

In fact, side effects of any type of medical procedure, including LASIK surgery, are expected. For example, if you’ve had a tooth extracted, you can expect side effects like pain or swelling in your mouth, or even difficulty chewing.

For LASIK surgery, patients can expect side effects like short-term dry eye, glare, halos, and double vision. These are temporary setbacks that clear up on their own within a few days, weeks, or months.

Before you undergo vision correction surgery, the team at Durrie Vision will ensure you’re well-prepared for possible side effects and walk you through how to deal with them. Just remember that side effects are generally unconcerning.

Complications, however, are more serious issues that are not considered normal. However, our eye surgeons easily address most complications with additional treatments or medications to resolve the symptoms and get you back on track to improved vision.

The LASIK Surgery Complication Rate is Very Low

Ultimately, there’s good news, if you’re worried about LASIK surgery. The complication rate is miniscule, compared to other types of surgeries; just 0.3 percent of patients report any.

The most commonly reported complications are infection, which is treatable with a short course of antibiotics, or dry eye that persists for more than six months.

Other complications are quite rare, and can include:

• Undercorrections, which occur when the laser removes too little tissue. For patients with higher prescriptions, the risk of undercorrection is more common. However, an enhancement can help you reach your vision goals.
• Overcorrections, which can happen when the laser removes too much tissue from the eye. Like undercorrections, an enhancement addresses the problem.
• Regression, which occurs when your vision changes back to your original prescription, slowly over time. Regression is different from the natural aging process, and is the most rare LASIK complication.

Do You Qualify for LASIK or Other Laser Vision Correction?

Not everyone qualifies for LASIK surgery, but they may qualify for a different laser vision correction surgery. Candidacy can only be confirmed through in-depth diagnostics, but there are a few guiding factors that help our surgeons determine whether you qualify.

You must be at least 18 years old to undergo any corrective eye surgery, to give your eyes time to stabilize into young adulthood.

If your corneas are thickened or scarred from wearing contact lenses or from previous eye surgery, you may not be a candidate. An Advanced Ocular Analysis is necessary to identify the best laser vision correction surgery for your eyes.

Our eye surgeons also consider your prescription strength. Even if you have high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, you are likely to qualify for LASIK surgery. However, extreme nearsightedness – a prescription of -10 or more – means there may not be enough corneal tissue available to correct vision. Alternative procedures are available for people with strong prescriptions.

To determine whether you’re a candidate for LASIK, take our self-candidacy test online. It takes only a couple of minutes, and you’ll have the chance to learn more about which vision correction surgery is right for you.

Schedule an Overland Park Laser Vision Correction Consultation

If you’re ready to improve your vision, schedule a consultation at Durrie Vision to learn more about your laser vision correction options.

During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your eye anatomy and vision, and determine which eye surgery is ideal for you. The eye surgeons at Durrie Vision are pioneers of vision correction surgery and are ready to help you see better and enjoy life even more than before.

To schedule your consultation, call us at (913) 491-3330, or request an appointment online.