What are the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery?

Thinking hard and weighing the pros and cons while making a decision is a natural process which enables you to make a well-informed choice. You must gather all the relevant information before making a sensitive decision like eye surgery. LASIK surgery is performed to adjust the cornea by lasers and create a uniform shape that deviates the light well on the retina to form a clear image. It is a common procedure which corrects refractive error and enhances vision (if there is no underlying medical condition).

Let’s get started with the information you have been looking for, pros and cons of LASIK surgery.

Pros of LASIK eye surgery

• Enhanced vision: The anticipated or obvious advantage of getting LASIK surgery done is improved vision. More than 95% of patients gain 20/20 vision after from LASIK procedure. Only a few people need eyeglasses after LASIK, even if they do, the dependency is reduced.
• Safe procedure: Though every surgical procedure carries minor risks or side efforts, laser vision correction procedure is safe and reliable. The advanced flap (on the corneal surface) technique of LASIK reduces the occurrence of post-surgery complications.
• Painless surgery: Contrary to popular myths, LASIK surgery is painless. The eye surgeon places numbing eye drops containing a local anesthetic into both eyes of the patient before starting the procedure. Though you may still feel some pressure in the eye as the doctor performs LASIK, there won’t be any pain.
• Fast recovery: Quick healing is one of the most prominent benefits of laser eye surgery. You may experience an improvement in your vision within 24 hours following the procedure. Both eyes are treated in one procedure only and thus you won’t need to face any unnecessary hassles. Even though LASIK is safe and offers speedy recovery, it is advised to arrange your ride back home after the surgery. Do not take the risk of driving immediately after the surgical procedure.
• Boosts self-confidence: If you are someone who gets conscious about their looks while wearing eyeglasses, then LASIK is just the right option for you. After getting your refractive procedure, you will feel more active, and comfortable, and indulge in your favourite sports activity without any hesitation.

Relief from frequent allergic reactions: There are higher chances of developing seasonal allergies in the eye if you regularly use contacts. You may have itchy, watery, and irritated eyes if pollen, dust, etc. get trapped in contact lenses. Once you get laser vision correction, the discomforts of using contacts are kept at bay.

Cons of LASIK eye surgery

• Dry eyes: Lasik eye surgery can affect the production of tears for a few days or weeks. The exact duration depends upon the patient’s health condition and the size of the incision made in the eye. To manage the discomfort of dry eyes, specialists prescribe lubricating eye drops. Only in rare cases, the person may experience severe dryness. In such a scenario, they have to undergo screening and may require another procedure to place plugs in the tear ducts so that tears don’t drain away from the surface of the eyes. However, the advanced versions of LASIK are highly safe and accurate and thus the need for another surgical procedure is almost nil.
• Chances of overcorrection or under-correction: Sometimes, if the laser is not used with utmost precision, there remains the chance of improper vision correction. If the doctor removes excess tissue from the eye, it may lead to overcorrection. Whereas, if much less than the required corneal tissue is removed, you won’t get clear vision, called under-correction. The chances of under-correction are higher in the cases of myopia or nearsightedness. Comparatively, overcorrection is more complex to deal with, in comparison to under corrections.
• Halos, glare, and double vision: After the LASIK procedure, it may be somewhat difficult to see things clearly at night. It is quite normal to notice halos, glare around lights or even experience double vision. Usually, these things go away within a few days following the surgery. In case, the problem persists for many weeks, you must discuss it with your eye specialist.
• Rare chance of vision fluctuation: Only in rare cases, the patient may experience sudden fluctuation in the amount of light entering their eyes.

LASIK surgery disadvantages can be reduced by opting for bladeless LASIK or whichever advanced refractive procedure that your doctor advises you.

When to avoid LASIK?

Only knowing the pros and cons of laser eye surgery is not enough, checking your eligibility is crucial too. Not everyone is fit for LASIK. You should avoid LASIK if your wound healing ability is extremely slowly. This happens in case of diseases like diabetes, HIV AIDS, or because of any particular ongoing medication. Hence, it is mandatory to discuss your medical history with the ophthalmologist to make sure that you are an ideal candidate for LASIK.

Get in touch with an eye expert

To know more in-depth about LASIK surgery advantages and disadvantages, other refractive procedures like Contoura Vision, SMILE, etc. get in touch with the Centre for Sight. We are serving eye care for more than 26 years with a trusted team backed by world-class technologies and infrastructure. Reach out to us to book appointment with experienced eye specialists.