1.LASIK CAUSES DRY EYE

Dry eye is the most common complication of LASIK. Corneal nerves that are responsible for tear production are severed when the flap (thin layer of the cornea lifted during LASIK surgery) is cut. Medical studies have shown that these nerves never return to normal densities and patterns. Symptoms of dry eye include pain, burning, foreign body sensation, scratchiness, sensitiveness, and eyelid sticking to the eyeball. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) warns that LASIK-induced dry eye may be permanent. Approximately 20% of patients in FDA clinical trials experienced «worse» or «significantly worse» dry eyes at six months after LASIK. Moreover, corneal nerve damage during LASIK may lead to a chronic pain syndrome known as corneal neuralgia.

2.LASIK RESULTS IN LOSS OF VISUAL QUALITY
LASIK patients have more difficulty seeing detail in dim light (loss of contrast sensitivity), and experience an increase in visual symptoms at night (halos, starbursts, glare, double vision). A published review of data for FDA-approved lasers found that six months after LASIK 19.7 percent of patients reported starbursts, 17.5 percent reported halos, and 21 percent complained of eye dryness.

3.THE CORNEA IS INCAPABLE OF COMPLETE HEALING AFTER LASIK
The flap never heals. Researchers found that the tensile strength of the LASIK flap is only 2.4% of normal cornea. LASIK flaps can be surgically lifted or dislodged by a simple hit of the cornea at any time in patient's life.LASIK burns and destroys a large part of the cornea (70-100μm), while the average corneal thickness is 550μm. Thus, LASIK permanently weakens the cornea. Collagen bands of the cornea provide its form and strength. LASIK severs these collagen bands and thins the cornea. The thinner, weaker post-LASIK cornea is more susceptible to forward bulging due to normal intraocular pressure, which may progress to a condition known as keratectasia and corneal failure, requiring corneal transplant.

4.THERE ARE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF LASIK
LASIK affects the accuracy of intraocular pressure measurements, exposing patients to risk of vision loss from undiagnosed glaucoma.Like the general population, LASIK patients will develop cataract. Calculation of intraocular lens power for cataract surgery is inaccurate after LASIK. This may result in poor vision following cataract surgery, and exposes patients to increased risk of repeat surgeries. Steroid drops, routinely prescribed after LASIK, may hasten the onset of cataract. A study presented in 2015 found that people who have undergone LASIK have cataract surgery six years sooner than people who have not had LASIK. Research demonstrates persistent decrease in corneal keratocytes density after LASIK. These cells are vital to the function of the cornea. Ophthalmologists think that this loss might lead to delayed post-LASIK ectasia.

5.BILATERAL SIMULTANEOUS LASIC IS NOT IN PATIENT’S INTEREST
In a 2003 survey of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) members, 91% of surgeons who responded did not offer patients the choice of having one eye done at a time. Performing LASIK on both eyes in the same day places patients at risk of vision loss in both eyes.

6.SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF LASIK MAY EMERGE LATER
The medical literature contains numerous reports of late-onset LASIK complications, such as loss of the cornea due to biomechanical instability, inflammation resulting in corneal haze, flap dislocation, epithelial ingrowth, and retinal detachment. The LASIK flap creates a permanent portal in the cornea for microorganisms to penetrate, exposing patients to lifelong increased risk of sight-threatening corneal infection.Complications may emerge weeks, months, or years after seemingly «successful» LASIK.

7.LASIK DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR GLASSES
Since LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses after the age of 40 and studies show that visual outcomes of LASIK decline over time, LASIK patients will likely end up back in glasses, sometimes sooner than thought.

8.THE TRUE RATE OF LASIK COMPLICATIONS IS UNKNOWN
There is not any serious study for reporting of LASIK complications. The FDA allowed laser manufacturers to hide complications reported by LASIK patients in clinical trials by classifying dry eyes and night vision impairment as «symptoms» instead of complications.

9.REHABILITATION OPTIONS AFTER LASIK ARE LIMITED
LASIK is irreversible, and treatment options for complications are extremely limited. Hard contact lenses may provide visual improvement if the patient can obtain a good fit and tolerate lenses. The post-LASIK contact lens fitting process can be time consuming, costly, and ultimately unsuccessful. Many patients eventually give up on hard contact lenses, and struggle to function with impaired vision. In extreme cases, a corneal transplant is the last resort, and does not always result in improved vision.

10.SAFER ALTERNATIVES TO LASIK EXIST
It is important to remember that LASIK is an optional surgery. There is no sound medical reason to risk vision loss from unnecessary surgery. Glasses and contact lenses are the safest alternatives.