Early postoperative complications

The incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)[7], also known as the Sands of Sahara syndrome, has been estimated at 2.3%.[23] When diagnosed and appropriately treated, DLK resolves with no lasting vision limitation.The incidence of infection responsive to treatment has been estimated at 0.4%.[23] Infection under the corneal flap is possible. It is also possible that a patient has the genetic condition keratoconus that causes the cornea to thin after surgery. Although this condition is screened in the preoperative exam, it is possible in rare cases (about 1 in 5,000) for the condition to remain dormant until later in life (the mid-40s). If this occurs, the patient may need rigid gas permeable contact lenses, Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (Intacs),[24] Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin[25] or a corneal transplant.The incidence of persistent dry eye has been estimated to be as high as 28% in Asian eyes and 5% in Caucasian eyes.[5] Nerve fibers in the cornea are important for stimulating tear production. A year after LASIK, subbasal nerve fiber bundles remain reduced by more than half.[26] Some patients experience reactive tearing, in part to compensate for chronic decreased basal wetting tear production.The incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage has been estimated at 10.5% (according to a study undertaken in China; thus results may not be generally applicable due to racial and geographic