LASIK eye surgery has become increasingly popular and prevalent in recent years. The idea of being able to have 20/20 vision again, without needing contact lenses or glasses, is an appealing concept for tens of millions of individuals around the world. However, LASIK is not a perfected procedure, and there are some things about it that your doctor might not tell you. The following is a list of the 10 most important things to know about LASIK surgery that you might not hear from your eye doctor:

1. Certain eye conditions make LASIK a bad idea. Not everyone’s eyes are well-suited for LASIK surgery. Individuals with chronic dry eyes and other eye conditions are at significantly higher risk of complications related to LASIK surgery.
2. There is a chance you’ll need follow-up procedures through the years. Often times, individuals receiving LASIK surgery are under the impression that their eyes are permanently fixed, or at worst will need a follow-up procedure in 20 or 30 years. However many times, especially in younger patients, multiple follow-up procedures are needed only a few years after the initial procedure.
3. Complications are a possibility. Although they are not very common, it is possible to get eye infections, “halos” around lights, and other chronic complications after receiving LASIK.
4. LASIK won’t cure all eyesight problems. If you are farsighted, LASIK will not work for you.
5. You will probably still need reading glasses when you get older. Because LASIK surgery does not work on farsighted patients, as you age you will likely need reading glasses, even if the LASIK surgery is still effective.
6. LASIK isn’t the only eye surgery option. There are a number of alternative eye surgery options that a LASIK surgeon might not be eager to tell you about. These include LASEK, PRK, INTACS, and several others that might be better suited to your specific condition.
7. No one knows the long-term effects of LASIK yet. Because the procedure is relatively new, there is a chance that there will be as of yet unknown problems or complications down the line.
8. Half of LASIK patients experience chronic dry eyes after surgery. If you are part of the unlucky 50% of LASIK patients that have chronic dry eyes, you’d better get used to bringing eye drops everywhere you go.
9. You might not end up with 20/20 vision after the surgery. Some people, especially those who have particularly poor eyesight, will have 20/40 vision even after a “successful” surgery.
10. If your doctor overcorrects your eye problem, you will need glasses permanently. If your LASIK surgeon overcorrects your eye condition, there is no “undo” or additional correction that can be made, and you will permanently need glasses or contact lenses, and you’ll still have all the complication risk of a successful procedure (dry eyes, halos, etc.).