What Does A Suction Break In Lasik Mean?

Lasik has become very safe and reproducible. But despite it's success, unplanned events can occur during lasik causing a delay in recovery or even requiring an alternate method such as PRK for vision correction. A break in suction during lasik is one of these events.

The first step in lasik to create the lasik flap requires suction on the eye. This suction typically works very well. But alas, all eyes are built slightly different and rarely this suction can break during the procedure. This can occur both with lasik with blades as well as with laser-based lasik. However, all is not lost.

If suction breaks while creating a lasik flap with a blade, typically the lasik procedure must be aborted. But afterwards, the eye is allowed to heal up and then a PRK procedure can frequently be performed to correct vision. With laser-based lasik, however, not all suction breaks require a PRK treatment. In fact, many can continue with lasik after reapplying suction.

Nobody wants or plans for any issues with lasik such as a suction break, but it happens from time to time. Fortunately, when managed properly with a good refractive surgeon, these issues don’t affect the longterm result. And so if a suction break happens to you, it isn’t anything to worry about, it just may take some extra time for recovery or a PRK procedure to correct vision.

Also check out This Is The Purpose Of The Lasik Suction Ring on EyeMountain.com

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