Hey, I would just consider myself extremely lucky to have not had any complications yet, and move along with my life.

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 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, soreness and eyelid sticking to the eyeball. The FDA website 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.(1) In 2014, an FDA study found that up to 28% of patients with no symptoms of dry eyes before LASIK reported dry eye symptoms at three 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/ghosting, ). A published review of data for FDA-approved lasers found that six months after LASIK, 17.5 percent of patients report halos, 19.7 percent report glare (starbursts), 19.3 percent report night-driving problems and 21 percent complain of eye dryness.(1) The FDA website warns that patients with large pupils may suffer from debilitating visual symptoms at night. In 2014, an FDA study found that up to 46% of patients who had no visual symptoms before surgery, reported at least one visual symptom at three months after surgery.

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.(2) LASIK flaps can be surgically lifted or accidentally dislodged for the remainder of a patient’s life. The FDA website warns that patients who participate in contact sports are not good candidates for LASIK.

LASIK permanently weakens the cornea. Collagen bands of the cornea provide its form and strength. LASIK severs these collagen bands and thins the cornea.(3) 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.

Much more at this link:

https://www.lasikcomplications.com/TopTenReasons.htm

An additional procedure

Read the contract because it may be worthless depending on how long ago you had Lasik and the technology used during your first procedure. My contract states I must pay the price difference for new technology/ equipment. And my prescription would have to change significantly to qualify. Finally, if I was diagnosed with *any* eye condition after Lasik, especially dry eye, then I would no longer qualify. (Dry eye is a common diagnosis as you age)

I had mine around that time too from LasikPlus, and had PRK a few years back. PRK had me out of work for 5 days. They also told me I couldn't get any more procedures after that because of the lack of corneal tissue. The amount of time I didn't have to wear contacts were good enough for me. The tradeoff is that it is harder to see overhead street signs at dawn and dusk, and my eyes reverted back again.

I had a touch up about 12 years after my LASIK. The doctor did PRK for the touch up and it's perhaps the most pain I have ever been in. I would not have done it if I'd known.

Anonymous wrote:I only got my Lasik done about 5 years ago and I was already 45. The surgery was great, my eyes were perfect, it fixed my significant near-sightedness, and I didn't have any major side effects. Now I have to wear glasses for driving because I've become slightly far-sighted!! Go figure. And I also have to wear reading glasses, but that's inevitable -- pretty much everyone will at some point.

For me at least I've decided I'm one and done. I don't think they can fix the far-sightedness with Lasik anyway, and I do not want to take the risks of further surgery. I think it very much depends on what your vision issue is and whether it's worth the risk of taking more cornea off to fix it vs. correct it with glasses or contacts. If it were me I would consult not only with the Lasik place but also an independent ophthalmologist or two.

NP. How near sighted were you? I was told they would have to remove too much of my cornea for Lasik, but then I hear about people with bad vision who had no problem.

I only got my Lasik done about 5 years ago and I was already 45. The surgery was great, my eyes were perfect, it fixed my significant near-sightedness, and I didn't have any major side effects. Now I have to wear glasses for driving because I've become slightly far-sighted!! Go figure. And I also have to wear reading glasses, but that's inevitable -- pretty much everyone will at some point.

For me at least I've decided I'm one and done. I don't think they can fix the far-sightedness with Lasik anyway, and I do not want to take the risks of further surgery. I think it very much depends on what your vision issue is and whether it's worth the risk of taking more cornea off to fix it vs. correct it with glasses or contacts. If it were me I would consult not only with the Lasik place but also an independent ophthalmologist or two.

It has to change a certain amount. I keep monitoring mine so I can take advantage of it too. It’s been almost 5 years and I’m betting this time I reach the change amount. (Cannot remember for the life of me what mine is...)

OP here—should clarify, I’m asking if anyone has gotten their lasik redone and not complaining about my eyesight changing.

I had lasik done back in 2005 through LasikPlus and got the lifetime plan so that if my vision changed in the future, I could go back and get it redone. Has anyone gone through this with LasikPlus? My vision hasn’t changed drastically, but it’s enough to bother me while I’m driving and I hate wearing my glasses.