Prior to your LASIK surgery, Dr. Whitsett will personally review the risks associated with the procedure and answer your questions. LASIK is relatively risk-free since the surgery only alters the shape of the cornea.

Serious post-operative complications are extremely rare. Infection from the microkeratome is one of the most worrisome complications, but can usually be eliminated with antibiotic eye drops. At the laser center where Dr. Whitsett performs his LASIK surgeries, the microkeratome blade is changed after each patient to help ensure sterility. Only one time in almost 8,000 procedures by Dr. Whitsett has this infection happened, and it was corrected and no damage occurred.

One of the more common after effects of LASIK surgery is under correction which often times occurs in patients with large refractive errors. The conservative surgeon may leave additional corneal tissue so as not to overcorrect. If under correction occurs, a second procedure similar to your LASIK surgery called an enhancement will be scheduled.

Recent news reports about LASIK complications have highlighted problems in patient selection (not the safety of the procedure itself). The problems occurred because the patients' pupils were too large for the treatment causing glare and halos.

A displaced flap is another complication. An experienced surgeon should be able to make a clean incision of the corneal flap, and the flap will heal on its own without sutures. This is why patients wear a clear plastic eye patch when napping or sleeping during the first week after LASIK – so that the flap will not become displaced. This is also why you should avoid rubbing your eyes after your surgery.

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