A reputable surgical center or eye surgeon will discuss in great detail the possibility - however mild or rare the case can be - of possibly complications after Lasik surgery. Some of these complications are simply natural by-products of an otherwise successful surgery (such as age-diminished results) but it's worth noting all of the possible complications before undergoing the procedure.
Age And Its Effects On Some Lasik Situations
Results may diminish with age, especially for farsighted patients. The improved level of vision one experienced after surgery may decrease as years go by. Also, there is less of a chance of Lasik being able to help patients with certain conditions the older they become - the correction benefit is not outweighed by the risks of surgery.
Flap damage or migration
If, during surgery, there is an error cutting the corneal flap, there is a risk that afterwards this flap can migrate out of place, requiring the need for an additional procedure.
Some patients develop visual symptoms that can be debilitating if they are not able to be corrected: glare, halos, double vision, worse vision during low contrast situations such as at night or in fog.
This also leads to the next risk issue: infection.
Infection
A risk of Lasik can be infection or inflammation that may require another surgery or intensive drop treatment with penicillin, anti-viral medication or both. Even so, these complications can lead to temporary loss of vision or even blindness.
It can also lead to chronic pain, and possibly the need for corneal transplants.
Dry Eye Syndrome
One of the most common risks with refractive surgery is that the patient may end up suffering from dry-eye syndrome, either in one eye or both. When the flap for the procedure is created, the very fine corneal nerves might be severed. These nerves are required to signal the lacrimal gland to produce tears. This temporary interruption of these corneal nerve impulses can result in a lesser amount of tears to be produced, which results in dry eyes after Lasik.
Sometimes after the surgery, vision can be blurry due to tear film instability, and this might or might not correct itself. If it does not correct, it can become permanent and will require intensive drop therapy and possibly the use of plugs or other treatment.
