Lasik vision correction may help improve your sight. But just like any other surgeries, you can experience Lasik side effects too. One of the possible Lasik side effects is experiencing temporary irritants. After the procedure, your eye may burn, itch, or feel like there is something in it. You may experience some discomfort, or in some cases, mild pain and your doctor may suggest you take a mild pain reliever. You can relieve this one of temporary Lasik side effects by putting eye drops after undergoing the procedure.
Another one of Lasik side effects is you may also experience some watering of the eyes, and your eyesight may be a little hazy after the procedure. But these irritants are just temporary and will soon disappear. Both your eyes may tear or water. Your vision will probably be hazy or blurry. You will instinctively want to rub your eye, but don’t! Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap, requiring further treatment. In addition, you may experience sensitivity to light, glare, starbursts or haloes around lights, or the whites of your eye may look red or bloodshot. These Lasik side effects should improve within the first few days after surgery.
One of the possible Lasik side effects is under-correction. That means the doctor may not correct your vision to where he or she thinks it ought to be on the first attempt. If this were to occur, your doctor would simply have you in for another treatment for more correction.
Other possible Lasik side effects are over-correction. That means if you’re nearsighted now, it’s possible to over-correct your vision so you become farsighted. This is possible, but unlikely because your doctor will try to avoid over-correction by being conservative on the initial procedure. If over- correction occurs, it can usually be corrected using an appropriate procedure.
Serious complications as possible Lasik side effects are extremely rare. Infection is the most troublesome complication and it can usually be eliminated with antibiotic eye drops.
Finally, Lasik side effects could occur if you were to displace your flap and not let your doctor know right away. The doctor will minimize this possibility by having you wear eye patches when you take a nap or go to bed at night, during the first week after the procedure.
To avoid possible Lasik side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, or if your vision or other symptoms get worse. See your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and at regular intervals after that for at least the first six months. At the first postoperative visit, your doctor will remove the eye shield, test your vision, and examine your eye.
