If you’re considering eye laser surgery to restore your vision, you’ve made a wise choice by researching the procedure in advance. Eye laser surgery is often misunderstood. For example, many patients believe that their vision will be perfect immediately following the surgery. In reality, it can take months for a person’s final vision to set in. Other people believe that eye laser surgery is risk-free. That’s not true; it entails the same risks as other outpatient surgeries. Finally, some patients aren’t aware that there are different types of laser eye surgery available, and that they may be better suited to one method but poorly suited to another.

Eye laser surgery can be classified as regular, blade-free, or custom (also known as WaveFront). The complexity of your vision problem will determine which method you’ll benefit the most from.

Regular LASIK (Laser Eye Surgery)

This version of Eye laser surgery relies on the use of a tiny blade, or microkeratome. During the procedure, a suction ring is applied to the patient’s eye. The microkeratome is part of the ring’s mechanism. With a simple click, the blade passes over the epithelium, or topmost layer of the eye. The tissue is into a hinged flap that is then folded back to permit access to the deeper tissues of the cornea. The doctor uses a laser to resurface these tissues before replacing the flap. No stitches are needed; the epithelium acts as its own bandage. The entire eye laser surgery procedure takes about half an hour, and the patient is awake for the duration.

IntraLase

The IntraLase procedure is very similar to regular laser eye surgery. In fact, the only difference is the means by which the flap is cut into the epithelium. While regular LASIK involves the use of a small blade, IntraLase uses heatless infrared laser energy to cut the flap. IntraLase laser eye surgery is considered to be very safe, but unusual light sensitivity has been reported in a small number of patients.

Custom Eye Laser Surgery

This technique is also called wavefront or wavefront-assisted custom LASIK. During custom eye laser surgery, the patient’s eye is mapped out in precise three-dimensional detail. Guided by the results, the surgeon uses a laser to make specific adjustments to the cornea based on the patient’s individual needs. Patients who undergo custom Eye laser surgery are more likely to attain 20/20 vision than those who undergo the regular procedure.

The Risks of LASIK

As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with LASIK vision correction. Some common complaints include unusually dry eyes, light sensitivity, irritation, and blurred vision that persists for several months. These symptoms are treatable with eye drops and protective eyewear.

Some less common complications are over- or under-correction of the patient’s vision; eye infection; irregularities in the patient’s vision that last for more than six months; and wrinkling or displacement of the epithelial flap. Follow-up surgery can be performed to alleviate most of these symptoms. Infections are treated with antibiotics.

Flap displacement is most commonly experienced shortly after Eye laser surgery. Rubbing the eyes before the flap has completely healed increases the risk of displacement. Because of this, patients are usually given protective goggles to sleep in so that they don’t rub and injure their eyes while sleeping.

Eye laser surgery involves a handful of risks and a host of benefits. Meet with your eye doctor to see if you’re a good candidate for the surgery. During your meeting, voice any concerns you have about the procedure or the risks involved. Then you can decide if the risks are worth the potential improvement to your vision.

LASIK Surgery Risks