LASIK eye surgery is a procedure designed to treat a variety of refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. When undergoing this procedure, it’s important to remember that LASIK cannot perfect your vision, but it can significantly improve it. While LASIK offers a high success rate for most patients – resulting in 20/20 vision or better, a follow-up procedure, known as LASIK enhancement, may be required to help patients achieve optimal results.
The reasons for LASIK enhancement vary from patient to patient. As the LASIK surgeon that others trust, Dr. Andrew E. Holzman at Laser Eye Centers in Washington, DC will design a treatment plan catered to your unique needs. After the procedure is performed, you will undergo a healing period to ensure your eyes are responding well to surgery.
Timing is key to knowing whether LASIK enhancement is necessary. If you are still experiencing vision issues after three to six months, a touch-up procedure can be performed to enhance your results. Below are the different reasons why LASIK enhancement may be required.
Blurry Vision
It’s not uncommon to experience blurry vision for several weeks after surgery. This is often due to swelling and inflammation within the eye as a result of the cornea being reshaped. As the cornea and surrounding tissues within the eye heal, most patients experience improved vision within one to two months. However, if your vision remains blurry with little to no improvement, or you experience double vision, halos, or starbursts, you may be a good candidate for LASIK enhancement.
Under correction, Overcorrection, or Induced Astigmatism
It is possible for under correction, overcorrection, or induced astigmatism to occur during the initial LASIK procedure, resulting in nearsightedness, farsightedness, or vision issues. Your age, the severity of your eye condition, and the health of your corneas can all contribute to how well your eyes respond to surgery.
As your eyes heal, contact lenses or eyeglasses can help. However, if your eyes have not adequately adjusted after six months, and you are unsatisfied with the results, an additional procedure can be performed to adjust your vision.
Quality of Previous Surgery
Patients who undergo LASIK surgery with a lesser-qualified eye surgeon often have a higher risk of complications after surgery. If this is the case, Dr. Holzman can perform an eye examination and additional testing to determine if you would be a good candidate for a follow-up procedure to help improve your results.
Abnormal Healing Response
Because patients respond to LASIK differently, each patient will be carefully monitored after surgery to determine if an abnormal healing response occurs. LASIK enhancement is often required if certain complications, such as dry eyes, corneal infection, partial flaps, flap dislocation, or epithelial ingrowth occur. It is also recommended if your current vision is inhibiting you from performing daily tasks.
Unhappy With Your LASIK Results?
If you are unhappy with the results of your LASIK surgery, speak with Dr. Holzman about undergoing a secondary procedure to improve your results. We understand that your vision is crucial to your livelihood and overall quality of life. To schedule your consultation, contact our office online or give us a call at (855) 99-LASIK.
