Blurred Vision after LASIK

San Francisco, Bay Area & San Jose, California

Blurred vision following LASIK vision correction can be an indication of several things. Generally, blurred vision immediately after LASIK is a normal part of the healing process. In rare instances, blurred vision may be a sign of more serious LASIK complications requiring treatment by your ophthalmologist. To minimize risks, the experienced staff at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley uses state-of-the-art technology and make sure that LASIK is the best vision solution for you by carefully evaluating your candidacy.

The First Few Days after LASIK

Immediately after your LASIK eye surgery, some blurring is normal. While your eyes heal in the days and weeks following your eye surgery, you may experience some common side effects, including:

• Blurring
• Dry eyes (this often causes blurred vision)
• Glare or halos around lights at night
• Light sensitivity
• Stinging or gritty feeling in your eyes

These side effects are short-term and should go away as you heal. If the side effects are severe, you should contact your LASIK doctor. After having LASIK eye surgery, it is important to go to all post-operative appointments so your doctor can make sure your eyes are healing correctly and spot any possible complications before they worsen.

Blurring that may Indicate Complications

Like all surgical procedures, LASIK vision correction carries with it the possibility of complications. These complications will progress without the care of your ophthalmologist. For the most part, these complications are rare and can be treated successfully if detected early.

Blurring is often experienced in the following complications:

• Irregular astigmatism. If the laser is not precisely centered on the eye, scarring may occur that will lead to astigmatism, and will have to be corrected in a follow-up surgery. Up-to-date technology greatly reduces the likelihood of this complication.

• Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). Inflammation occurs when foreign bodies become trapped under the corneal flap. DLK is a serious condition leading to vision loss if untreated. DLK is most often treated with eye drops. If the problem persists, your ophthalmologist may have to flush the area underneath the corneal flap. This complication is more likely to occur when there is trauma to the eye, for instance, if your eyes are struck by something while playing sports.

• Overcorrection/undercorrection. Everyone’s eyes heal differently, and some LASIK patients with high prescriptions have experienced residual refractive error because their eyes healed in an unexpected manner. This complication is sometimes temporary, or can be solved by wearing glasses, contact lenses, or with a second surgery.

• Corneal flap wrinkles. In some rare cases, the corneal flap may become wrinkled after LASIK surgery. This can be caused by rubbing your eyes after LASIK. To treat flap wrinkles, your ophthalmologist may use a rinse or smooth out the wrinkles surgically.

You can minimize the chances of serious complications from LASIK by choosing a LASIK doctor who is highly qualified to perform your procedure. Consider the doctor’s licensing, board certification, professional affiliations and experience with your particular procedure. A qualified LASIK surgeon can determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK or if an alternative solution is best for you.

To schedule a consultation with an experienced LASIK surgeon in San Francisco, San Jose or Bay Area, California, please contact the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley.

1.800.725.0740