The after Effects of LASIK By Gordon Wong, OD on June 03, 2013

Having to rely on glasses and contact lenses in order to see the world clearly can be incredibly frustrating. How often do patients fumble to find their glasses in the dark? The inconvenience and hassle of trying to keep glasses free of smudges, dirt, and even scratches can be a never-ending battle. Even environmental factors such as rain can impact vision when wearing glasses. Contact lenses can be as much as a hassle as glasses. Contact lenses can be difficult to put in, can be easily lost, tear, and often irritate the eyes.

The greatest benefit of LASIK surgery is the freedom it gives patients after undergoing the procedure. No longer having to rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly is something that most patients suffering from myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism thought they would never realize. Through LASIK surgery, the San Diego optometrists at GW Eye Associates Inc., can make this dream a reality.

While there are many benefits of LASIK surgery, many patients have concerns and questions about the procedure. At the La Jolla laser eye surgery center, GW Eye Associates Inc., the eye doctors understand that having concerns and questions about the LASIK procedure is normal. To help patients feel at ease, Dr. Wong will address any concerns and answer any questions patients may have during their personal LASIK consultations. The most common concerns patients have are about possible side effects. While there are side effects commonly experienced by most patients immediately following LASIK surgery, for the majority of patients, these side effects are only temporary.

Minimizing the Risk of Side Effects after LASIK

One way in which a patient’s risk for side effects after surgery can be minimized is by ensuring that he or she is a suitable candidate for the LASIK procedure. During the LASIK screening process, patients undergo a comprehensive eye examination. At the time of the LASIK consultation the benefits and risks of the procedure are discussed in detail. If it is determined that a patient is not a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery, an alternative vision correction procedure will be recommended. While LASIK is an effective and safe procedure for many patients, it is not suitable for every patient.

LASIK Side Effects

For patients in San Diego, LASIK side effects should be expected immediately following surgery. These side effects include:

The feeling of something in the eyes
Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Blurry vision
Fluctuating vision
Burning eyes
Itchy eyes

It is common and should be expected that a patient will experience side effects after undergoing LASIK surgery. For the vast majority of patients, LASIK side effects will only be temporary. Most side effects will begin to disappear within two to three days after undergoing surgery. Some side effects may linger for a couple of weeks to a couple of months, such as fluctuating vision. It can take two to three months for vision to stabilize following LASIK surgery. The immediate side effects following surgery, including the feeling of something in the eye, dry eye, blurry vision, watery eyes, burning of the eyes, and itching of the eyes typically decrease and disappear completely one to two days after surgery. Many patients experience sensitivity to light for the first week or so after undergoing LASIK. Wearing sunglasses when exposed to bright lights can help alleviate light sensitivity.