The authors found that in most eyes, acuity is maximized at 3 months, but some may need 6 to 12 months. After their vision has stabilized, patients whose vision is undercorrected can undergo an additional enhancement, if indicated. The patient then usually uses antibiotic-corticosteroid eye drops for 4 days after the procedure. Inadequate suction or problems with gears, blades, or calibration of the microkeratome can result in a lost, thin, uneven, partial, free, or loose flap. Moreover, most complications do not result in permanent sequlae.
Refractive complications can include regression and scar formation.
Implications for Active Patients Athletes' expectations need to be understood before any surgery, and each athlete's suitability as a candidate examined. No guarantees of that nature can be made. Currently there is no central system for reporting the benefits and risks of refractive surgery as they apply to athletes, and our literature search yielded no data on the performance of athletes following refractive surgery. It is uncertain whether the baseball player's ability to catch a fly ball under the lights or looking into the sun will be affected. Glare and decreased contrast sensitivity have been noted but are frequently of short duration, and their implications in real-world situations have yet to be evaluated.