What is the failure rate of LASIK?

Doctor's Answers 1

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Dr Natasha Lim

Ophthalmologist

If we talk about failure rate such as complications leading to loss of vision, I think it is about 0.1-0.2%, as it is so rare having a patient lose vision.

Failure rates in terms of the patient's satisfaction (is he/she able to see everything he/she desires without wearing a spectacle), I think that you can consider it to be about 1-2%.

If the 1-2% of patients who are over- or under-corrected are unhappy, they have to face something called “LASIK enhancement”. Most LASIK clinics would give an enhancement period of 3 years at a special price.

Similar Questions

How can I prevent blood clots on the whites of my eyes after LASIK?

Hi Susanne In the first step of the LASIK procedure, a ‘flap’ is created using a femtosecond laser (or, in the past, a special blade called a microkeratome). During this step, the laser is ‘connected’/docked to the eye with a ring-like device that grips the white part of your eye. You can watch an animation here: There are many small blood vessels on this part of the eye, and sometimes the suction pressure providing the grip may cause some of the blood vessels to leak some blood, causing red patches after the LASIK.

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What factors should I consider in deciding whether Punctal Plugs are the right treatment for my dry eyes after LASIK?

Punctal plugs are very effective for treating dry eyes that occur during waking hours, whether or not the situation is associated with LASIK. They help to reduce the need for eyedrops, so are very useful for people who have to use artificial tears very frequently eg instead of having to use the eyedrops every 2-3 hourly, sometimes after the plugs are placed, the eyedrops might only be needed every 4-6 hourly. As long as there is no active eye inflammation (eg persistent eye redness/discharge), punctal plugs can help anyone with moderate dry eyes requiring frequent eyedrop instillation.

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