Laser eye surgery

[J01tx]

How safe is the procedure?  I hear a lot about the sucess stories, but what can go wrong?

[J01tx]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm sure the doctor I choose (if I decide to go ahead with the procedure) would be the one to decide if I'm eligible.  When people are researching a subject they tend to ask general questions.  

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

That's such a general question.  Lasik and Prk have a very, very good tract record if done by good surgeons on suitable canditates.  What I find sometimes is that patients may not have been great canditates to begin with - particularly older patients who may sometimes be better suited by waiting a few years and just getting cataract surgery.  My wife, and one brother and one sister have had lasik and all done well.  Potential complications, though include over and undercorrection, buttonhole flap scar, infection, epithelial ingrowth, corneal scarring.  The real question of the day is:  are YOU in particular a good canditate?  That I can't answer.

Michael Kutryb, MD