What are the risks of RK?

RK is a safe procedure but like any form of eye surgery, is not risk free. Things can go wrong although they are rare.

Complications of RK include:

• Over-correction: this procedure can cause mild long-sightedness.
• Under correction: this procedure cannot completely remove short-sightedness.
• Unpredictable results: difficult to predict the outcome and this can change over time.
• Glare: more of a problem with night vision
• Halos: same as above.
• Starbursts: same as above.
• Irregular form of astigmatism: can result in double or ‘ghost’ vision.
• Glaucoma: an eye disease which affects the optic nerve.
• Visual aids are still required: the patient may still need to wear glasses after surgery for either close or distance vision.
• Punctured, ruptured or infected cornea: these can happen straight after surgery or even 3 years later.

Plus, further surgery may be required at some time in the future due to a weakening of the cornea. This also includes cataract surgery.