The Risks And Complications Of Laser Eye Surgery
Before you read the article, I highly recommend you go over our Laser Eye Treatment FAQ
What are the risks and complications of laser eye surgery? Most people who undergo laser eye surgery are amazed with the results. But, just like all other medical surgical procedures, there are risks and side effects attached to it. Thus, it is imperative that you consider the risks and complications of laser eye surgery when deciding whether to adopt such a treatment. This article would assist you along this endeavour.
To understand the complications of laser eye surgery, we must first comprehend what laser eye surgery means. LASIK eye surgery which is the most common of all laser eye procedures, involves the use of a laser or ‘microkeratome’ which cuts a small flap of the cornea’s surface. After which the flap is lifted and the laser reshapes the cornea and then the flap is placed back gently. Using a laser during this procedure allows more precision and thus fewer complications are expected to rise. However, if the flap is not accurately cut, this may lead to the cornea’s failure to perform. Such complications can lead to an improper shaped eye which can cause blurry vision and astigmatism.
Vision Loss: One very serious but rare laser eye surgery risk is ‘vision loss.’ Few laser eye surgery patients have experienced such vision loss which cannot be improved or corrected with contacts, glasses, or second surgery.
Debilitating Visual Symptoms: Patients have also indicated to experiencing double, halos or glare vision after laser eye surgery. Consequently, this can cause adverse night vision complications. Some patients may even see worse than they did before the laser eye treatment.
Under Treatment Or Over Treatment: After laser eye surgery, only few and limited patients obtain 20/20 correction vision without contacts or spectacles. For those who wore glasses or lenses before might still need them after the laser surgical procedure.
Severe Dry Eye Syndrome: after laser eye surgery, patients might find it difficult to produce tears to keep their eyes moist, which can lead to discomfort, reduce vision quality, and blur vision. To treat this complication patients would consider ‘intensive eye drop therapy’. Dry eye syndrome however can be a permanent complication that patients must endure.
Results Diminishing With Age: Another risk factor of laser eye surgery is that its results may decrease in due time. This risk is most common among far sighted vision patients.
The risks and complications of laser eye surgery are very alarming and must be considered if you wish to undergo such a procedure. As for the newer laser eye surgical procedures that have only just been developed, its safety and long term effectiveness cannot be determined thus far.
Nevertheless, care must be given when selecting the best LASIK eye surgeon and clinic to undergo your laser surgical procedure. You must also ensure that the particular laser eye clinic has well maintained laser eye surgical equipments. Additionally, having a qualified and experienced eye surgeon would ensure you of safety, effective monitoring, and comfort if any complications happen to arise unexpectedly.