Yes, laser eye surgery can fail, leading to less than ideal outcomes.
Understanding LASIK Failure
While LASIK surgery boasts high success rates, it's crucial to understand what constitutes "failure" and the factors contributing to it. A failed LASIK surgery doesn't necessarily mean complete vision loss, but rather a result that doesn't meet the patient's expectations or the intended outcome.
Reasons for LASIK 'Failure'
Several factors can contribute to a less-than-perfect LASIK outcome. These include:
- Undercorrection: The laser removes too little tissue, leaving some of the original refractive error.
- Overcorrection: The laser removes too much tissue, leading to the opposite refractive error. According to EyeSight Hawaii, overcorrection is more likely to occur after retreatment.
- Regression: The eye heals in a way that partially reverses the effects of the surgery.
Risk Factors
The EyeSight Hawaii reference highlights several interconnected factors affecting LASIK outcomes:
- Ablation Algorithm: The specific pattern and amount of tissue removed by the laser.
- Nomogram: The surgeon's individualized plan based on the patient's refractive error and other factors.
- Age: Older patients may have different healing responses.
- Degree of Refractive Error: Higher prescriptions may be more challenging to correct accurately.
Signs of Potential Issues
- Decreased visual acuity
- Halos or glare around lights
- Double vision
- Dry eyes
Retreatment as a Solution
In many cases, a retreatment (enhancement) procedure can correct undercorrections or other issues after the initial LASIK surgery. However, as noted earlier, overcorrection is more likely with retreatment, highlighting the importance of careful planning and execution.
