LASIK, PRK, and SMILE are probably the safest major surgeries performed on the human body. But any surgery, even with our advanced laser technology and competent surgeon and staff, carries risk. The risks of LASIK for causing severe visual problems are extremely low, and when complications of LASIK ensue, they are generally amenable to improvement.
Upon arrival for your free laser vision correction consultation, all LASIK eye surgery risks and benefits are clearly disclosed to each patient in a detailed video presentation. Following the presentation a consent form will be provided to the patients re-capping (or summarizing) the information provided in the video. Any additional questions or information a patient may require can be discussed directly with the physician during the consultation or prior to surgery.
If you are interested in learning more about LASIK eye surgery risks, potential complications of LASIK, or if you’re interested in scheduling an appointment in North Canton, Canfield or Alliance OH, contact Roholt Vision Institute today.
DRY EYE (1-3%)
Dry eye can be aggravated or induced by LASIK or PRK. Since dry eye is more common in perimenopausal women, incidence after LASIK/PRK is highest in this group. Other factors contributing to dry eye include medications (birth control pills, antihypertensives, and antidepressants), and diseases such as thyroid, diabetes, and arthritis. A recent study by Steve Schallhorn, MD on thousands of LASIK patients showed that the incidence of dry eye was more related to the aging process than to LASIK.
The method of performing the LASIK flap can contribute to dryness. Recent evidence indicates that a thinner flap, as performed with a femtosecond laser, such as the Visumax as used at Roholt Vision Institute causes less interference with the corneal nerves involved in tear formation. The incidence of dry eye is believed to be lower with SMILE because the laser pocket opening is smaller than LASIK. Also PRK may cause less dryness than LASIK.
Slower recovery after LASIK can be expected in dry eye patients, sometimes with a slight reversal of effect (regression). Liberal treatment with eye lubricants, mucin-enhancing vitamins, or plugging of the tear drain ducts can be helpful while the tear production recovers after surgery. Pre- or post-treatment with the Envision RF/IPL can also enhance the tear film.
If you feel you may have a problem with dryness, contact us so we can evaluate your tear quality prior to LASIK.
MICROSTRIAE (Mild: 0.05 – 0.10%, Moderate-Severe: 0.05%)
These are subtle lines in the top layer of the flap as it drapes over the area treated by the laser. Mild striae usually cause little effect on vision.
Moderate/severe striae, or “macrostriae,” are caused by squeezing, rubbing, or trauma in the early postoperative period. They can be treated and smoothed out by an experienced surgeon.
The SMILE procedure has no flap, only a small laser incision, so microstriae are unlikely. PRK has no flap and thus no microstriae are possible.
Highly Rated By Our Patients on Google.
Everyone was helpful and professional. Take time to care.
For this being the first time going here in Canfield I had an awesome experience. Everyone was friendly and easy to talk to. From the receptionist, person doing my test, the doctor and the person setting me up for my cataract surgeries. I felt very comfortable. I would recommend this place to anyone who has eye issues or needs surgeries.
My visits have never fallen short of professional and friendly . Never had a bad visit.
So happy to have the great Dr. Wohl along with the best staff that is always upbeat and happy to be there for their patients! The office in Canfield is amazing!
Dr. Kubis is thorough and takes interest in your eye care. The entire staff is friendly, and most helpful. Dr. Kubis is someone I recommend to my family and friends for complete eye care.
Didn’t have to wait long and the nurse was quite nice.
the nurses were very polite and Dr Roholt explained everything so I could understand
The staff was amazing and friendly. Kayla who was in the room with me and did some testing was exceptional!! Dr. Kubis offered me more information and treatment options than I had been offered at another doctors office with no relief. I am excited to see how much improvement I get. Great experience.
Roholt Vision is the best. Professional and friendly staff.
I had prk done everything went smoothly procedure was alot faster then I expected staff and surgeon was great extremely friendly and made sure I understood what was being done highly recommend to anyone thinking about lasik or prk
Everyone was very professional and personable.
Everyone was so caring. I love this place
Well done. Efficient and pleasant.
Staff was courteous and polite and quick.
My exam was very thorough and the staff are friendly and very professional. I feel very fortunate having them in the Canfield area.
Always helpful and great doctors.
They really take the time to listen to you and answer all your concerns.
Very prompt, pleasant, and thorough. They took the time to listen. Checked my eyes and had a diagnosis very quickly.
The exams I had were like nothing I’ve ever had before. I was so impressed, the staff was so knowledgeable and made me comfortable.
Clean facility, pleasant receptionists, busy day client-wise, but got into see technician and then Dr Kubis in short order. Doctor and technicians very professional, explained everything.
Everyone was very kind. I had excellent care from everyone who helped me!
So Dr Kubis is not only ez on the eyes 😊 but he and his team are approachable kind and most importantly professional. The entire process and steps forward is explained clearly so ur not left w any doubt or questions. Good experience over all.
Friendly staff, thorough doctors, well equipped facility.
Always professional and courteous. Highly recommend. Had my cataracts done and it was a great experience. They answered all questions and helped me relax.
Everyone is very nice and love Dr kubis!
Everyone is very frendly,and know what they are doing
Everyone was very curious, professional, knowledgeable and respectful I enjoy my visits there
My experience with Dr Megan Celmer has always been the best . Not only is she a great great surgeon but very accommodating
I’ve been coming to Roholt for many years. They are fabulous, doctors and staff are wonderful! They have helped me greatly in a couple issues I’ve had!! Highly recommended them!
Always a pleasant and professional experience. A very busy place but with reasonable wait times. I am so glad I found Roholt. We live a hour away but I would recommend them to anyone.
Very nice and very professional
Very courteous staff and doctor. Informative, Excellent Dr. Mathie He explained everything to me And told me things I didn’t know good things I appreciate the doctor and the staff thank you
Everyone was very professional and nice. My appointment was taken on time and was completed timely with little waiting.
Roholt’s team of doctors are specialized and amazing. This was my third time at the office. 2019 I had 2 cataracts removed and lenses put in. At that time, Dr. Wohl mentioned that if down the line I get fuzzy vision or webbing to reach back out as they can adjust it with laser. That is what this office visit was for, they checked my sight and then I met back with the Dr. We spoke about the laser treatment and I found it could be done that same time. The process is amazing and the doctor is outstanding.
The employees did their job well.And so, did the doctor totally satisfied. Thank thank you
Got an appointment less than 24 hrs out. Every staff member was professional and helpful. Dr Mathie put me at ease concerning my eye problem. In and out in less than 1 hour.
The office staff is always helpful and nice. Dr. Mathie is very good at explaining and helping me to take care of my eyes.
Nothing but a great experience,never better service,very friendly employees w/ good atmosphere
Always pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. I moved to Central Ohio but make the annual trip back each year because I trust Dr. Celmer and Roholt Institute.
Very nice and professional experience.
Awesome experience. Fun and educating at the same time!
Everyone is so kind and takes time to explain procedures and answer any questions. I am thankful they are caring for my eyes.
Very professional, polite and respectful.
Thank you Thank you Thank You You listened , and You helped!
Very capable and courteous staff. Professional employees! Thank you for your excellent testing!
Prompt. Efficient. Friendly.
Has a wonderful first experience for my left eye cataract. 24 hrs after surgery and I have 20/20 vision. The only negative in the experience was the long wait in the dr office, an hour. But I did meet some interesting people so the wait didn’t seem that long!😉
Great office staff and Dr Matthey is excellent!
I had a very good appointment with the Doctor and his Staff and they were very about me not being able to hear. I had to use a close caption device on my phone to communicate and things went great. I would recommend them to anyone who needed help with eye problems.
This place is exceptional! No need to go anywhere else. You won’t be disappointed!
UNDER/OVERRESPONSE (2-6%)
These are not actually complications of LASIK but can require retreatment. Variation in the individual response of human tissue to the laser treatment, along with individual healing factors, is the cause. Hyperopic LASIK over/underresponse is more common than occurs in myopic lasik. Underresponse or regression of effect is more common in patients with dry eye. Retreatment is usually done after 2-3 months.
The TENEO™ is probably the most accurate and including the Zeiss MEL-80™ precision these excimer lasers have lowered the retreatment rate by 60% compared to the early generation, broad beam lasers.
DIFFUSE LAMELLAR KERATITIS (Mild: 1-3%)
Inflammation can occur under the flap. Rarely, this can be due to bacteria (infectious), but usually the cause is unknown, and may be an allergic reaction. DLK is generally mild, has little effect on vision, and resolves within 1-2 weeks when appropriately treated.
In rare cases (<0.05%) DLK can progress to central toxic keratopathy (CTK) which can result in a corneal scar, blurred vision and refractive changes.
Some of the high volume, discount laser centers have had epidemics of DLK. DLK is also more common with the use of femtosecond lasers or “bladeless, all-laser LASIK.” This is due to separation of microscopic “tissue bridges” resulting in inflammation, occasionally requiring increased steroid treatment At Roholt Vision Institute, with the solid-state Visumax laser and strict adherence to sterile technique, DLK has only been mild and sporadic, with no serious sight threatening complications.
NIGHT GLARE/HALOS (Mild: 4%, Moderate: 2%)
Some patients, especially with higher degrees of myopia have night glare/halos from car or streetlights with spectacles or contact lenses. This glare can continue after LASIK, is usually worse for 1 -2 months, then gradually resolves. A study showed that few patients had serious glare and halos after LASIK, SMILE, or ICL.* Many patients having LASIK at Roholt Vision Institute report that night driving is better than before the procedure.
Some of the serious problems with glare/halos are a result of treatment by inexperienced surgeons, where the treatment zone is off-center.
The TENEO™ 317 and Zeiss MEL-80™ laser were chosen because their use in LASIK result in a very low incidence of adverse visual symptoms.
*Quality of vision after myopic refractive surgeries: SMILE, FS-LASIK, and ICL – PubMed (nih.gov)
VISUAL DISTORTION (0.05%)
Blurred vision and double images is one of the rare complications of LASIK. This can be due to irregular healing. It was more frequent in the past in relation to broad beam lasers which created “central islands.” Sometimes retreatment can help, but generally visual distortion improves slowly, and can take 1 to 2 years or more to resolve.
LASIK with the TENEO™ 317 or Zeiss MEL-80™ laser rarely causes visual distortion because of their rapid, computer controlled scan, smooth surface treatments, and unique accurate eyetrackers. Contact us for more information on LASIK eye surgery risks and advantages of these lasers.
PRESBYOPIA (100% If > Age 45)
Presbyopia is the age-related decrease in near reading ability. We include this as one of the “complications of LASIK” because often patients don’t understand why they develop a problem with reading vision after LASIK. For a myope, the effect of presbyopia is less when wearing eyeglasses than it is with contact lenses or LASIK.
Presbyopia is treated by wearing reading glasses, or by creating monovision: one eye is left nearsighted or treated with LASIK or Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) to do the reading, and the other eye receives LASIK to see the distance. Most people are then able to adjust, or “fuse” the images to one.
CORNEAL SCAR, THIN/TORN FLAP (0.03%)
Serious scarring or flap problems causing poor vision less than 20/40 are one of the LASIK eye surgery risks, but are extremely rare at Roholt Vision Institute. Torn flaps due to tissue adhesions are rare with the Zeiss Visumax laser. Buttonhole flaps used to occur more frequently with the Microkeratome, no longer used, and are also very rare with the Visumax (0.03%). The eye may then be allowed to heal before the procedure is repeated.
The newer advances such as the Zeiss Visumax flaps, SMILE, and All-Laser LASIK as used at Roholt Vision Institute make serious complications of LASIK extremely rare, and no patients using CustomCorrection™ treatment has attained a corrected vision of less than 20/30 without a pre-existing condition.
FREE CAP (0.5%)
If the hinge of the LASIK flap goes too far, especially with flat corneas, the flap becomes a “cap.” This is not serious, as the cap can be repositioned exactly like the flap. The natural hydrostatic pressure then causes the cap to adhere immediately, same as the flap. At Roholt Vision Institute we recommend “Bladeless, All-Laser LASIK” with the Visumax™ making this complication extremely unlikely.