Can my eyesight get worse after LASIK?

Hi, it’s Dr. Chotiner from Memorial Eye Institute. When I tell people I’m a LASIK surgeon, some of them ask me: “Can my eyesight get worse after LASIK?”

A successful LASIK procedure is determined largely by whether you meet certain patient criteria and if laser eye surgery is right for you.

While the vast majority of LASIK surgery results are excellent, you should be fully aware of the possible side effects, risks, and potential LASIK complications before you choose to undergo the procedure.

Here are examples of risks and potential complications that can occur during surgery:

  • Under-correction or over-correction
    This is more common with higher prescriptions and can be mitigated by planned 2-stage treatments; correctable with an enhancement.
  • Corneal flap complications
    This is rare in expert hands (1 in 1000). This can be mitigated by expert use of equipment; correctable with an enhancement.
  • Debris under the corneal flap
    This is rare in expert hands and will likely not affect the visual results. It can be mitigated by stringent adherence to superior safety protocols; correctable with an enhancement.
  • Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis
    This is also rare in expert hands (1 in 500). It can be mitigated by stringent adherence to superior safety protocols; correctable with an enhancement.
  • Vascular occlusion
    Extremely rare; 1 in 1 million will experience this.

To learn more about LASIK and the possible risks and complications, please book online for a free virtual vision assessment on our website today.

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What patients say about us

I was well taken care of. They took good care of my things. Dr. Erik Chotiner did an excellent job. I am so happy to see quite clearly with my eye that has macular degeneration.
S.D.H.
Very happy with all the staff, from check in, check out and nursing in pre op. Amazing. Very clean facility. Dr. Chotiner is so efficient and fast. Would recommend him to everyone.
Vey Love
Excellent care and personal attention are provided at Memorial Eye. Hats off to Dr. E. Chotiner, nurses and staff for making my experience there so great!
Q. Bender
I had cataract surgery and correction of an astigmatism. In one word......excellent!
Ray Jaffev
Wonderful practice with kind and supportive employees. The doctors are top notch and excellent!
A. Hendrix
I am a first time patient at your practice. Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. Overall it was a great experience. I did not realize how bad my vision was. I am amazed! The get well flowers were a nice touch!
J.B.
Surgery was quick and easy. Staff was very pleasant. Would recommend Dr. Chotiner very highly.
Patricia Scheidler
Service is very complete and professional. Dr. Erik Chotiner was very friendly and able to answer all of my questions. I am very pleased with service and will recommend.
A. Lawrence
I would recommend Memorial Eye Institute and Dr. Erik Chotiner for their expertise. They are all very professional and caring for their patients. It was an excellent experience.
Joyce Keefer

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Recognized leaders in Harrisburg LASIK eye surgery

CHOOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED LASIK SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …

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Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …

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