The number of people who undergo LASIK eye surgery has increased significantly over the past decade. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, almost 2.5 million people have undergone this type of surgery to correct their vision. That's more than ever before. As you might expect, some of these patients experience complications or otherwise do not see results as they had hoped. How many goes wrong? There aren't statistics so we don't know the exact number, but there are a few we can say with confidence.The percentage of patients who experience complications due to LASIK surgery is around 1.5%. This could mean that as many as 750,000 people have had the procedure performed on them without any issues whatsoever. This figure does not include those who had complications but were too ashamed to admit it. A study published in the Journal of refractive surgery ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25681649 ) found that the number of patients who suffer permanent complications is around 0.32%. This number is likely much lower as many people with permanent complications may have stopped using their eye glasses.The total number of people who have had LASIK surgery in the last 10 years is likely to be around 3 million. Out of these numbers, 750,000 are people who had no complications whatsoever. Another 500,000 people had complications but did not want to report it. The total number of people who have had a successful LASIK surgery is therefore around 2.5 million. This number will likely rise even further with the increasing popularity of the procedure.
Why Are Some People More Likely to Have Complications?
There are a number of risk factors that could increase the likelihood of complications after LASIK surgery.Some risk factors are related to the patient, while others are related to the surgery. The first one is your age. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons states that patients under 18 years old should not have LASIK surgery. This is because the eye has not finished growing, so it will be more likely to experience complications.People who smoke are also at higher risk - the rate of complications in these individuals is between 2.5% and 5%. Some medications, such as antidepressants and antibiotics, can also increase your risk of complications.
What Are The Most Common Complications?
The most common complications are night vision problems, dry eye, headaches, and halos.Night vision problems are the result of irregularities in the cornea's surface. The cornea is responsible for focusing light on the retina, but irregularities in its surface can cause light to bend in different directions. This can make it difficult for your visual cortex to process images, which can lead to poor night vision and headaches.Dry eye is a common side effect of LASIK surgery. It occurs when the nerves in the cornea become damaged. Some people may even require prescription drops to treat the condition.Halo symptoms are a type of visual disturbance in which one sees a circular ring around objects. This is the result of irregularities in the retina, which causes light to bend in different directions.People who suffer from dry eye may need to change their contact lens prescription after LASIK surgery. This is because the treatment used to treat dry eye may interfere with the effectiveness of the LASIK procedure.
The Importance of Having a Consultation
When undergoing any type of surgery, it is important to have a consultation with your doctor. This will allow you to ask any questions and gain a better understanding of what to expect. It will also allow you to get a better idea of the cost of the surgery.A consultation will allow you to have all your questions answered, and it will also give you the chance to get a better idea of the procedure.This is especially important when undergoing LASIK surgery, as there are a number of potential complications. It is very important to know what to expect so that you are prepared for any issues.If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, please contact us.