Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

Generally, LASIK eye surgery is safe, but just like any other surgical procedure, it does involve certain complications. Although a large number of patients have been able to stop using their glasses after surgery and achieved a 20/40 vision or better, there are still some complications that could happen and should be taken into consideration before choosing LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK Surgery - Sometimes Less than Perfect
A few patients experience halos, glare, or double vision after surgery, which can be a serious night vision complication. Even if they have good vision on the vision chart, they might not see well at night, in fog, or in other occurrences of low contrast.

Only a small percentage of patients obtain 20/20 vision after surgery without glasses or contacts. You might need additional treatment in the coming years. Many types of eye surgery can leave scarred tissue, resulting in a vision lower than the one the patient used to experience before surgery. Over corrected or under corrected vision is also a common side effect of eye surgery. In such cases, you might still need glasses or contact lenses or another surgery for more effectiveness.

What are some of the severe risks of LASIK surgery?
After surgery, your eyes might not be able to produce enough tears for keeping moist. This not only produces discomfort, by can also reduce quality vision due to permanent blurring and other problems. It is usually treated with intensive eye drop therapy.

Choosing a skilled surgeon is helpful to make laser eye surgery safe, but there’s always the complication of post operative infection. In most cases, these infections can be treated with antibiotics and usually does not turn into long-term problems. However, more severe infections can result in temporary vision loss or even worse.

Laser surgery procedures that use a microkeratome blade to cut a flap involve the risk of cutting it off instead of leaving it intact. If the flap is damaged, the patient might suffer vision loss. Successful procedures that use a blade can still leave small imperfections that can result in blurred vision. Newer technology that doesn’t involve cutting a flap from the corneal tissue, such as IntraLanse makes laser eye surgery safe. These procedures are more precise, but more expensive.

People who are pregnant, have diabetes, experience problems with binocular vision, have very dry eyes, thin corneas, are not good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. To make the right choice, talk to your ophthalmologist and discuss the pros and cons of several procedures and how would each of them respond to your desires.

There is little doubt lasik eye surgery can help your vision provided you are a good candidate. Many people believe it’s just a matter of setting up a date for surgery and the lasik surgeon will perform miracles.

Well, that’s not true and in the main, you’ll need to pass several qualifying clauses before you’re allowed your date with lasik eye surgery destiny. The pre-screening process is just as important as the procedure itself as we explain in this article.

You May Not Qualify For Lasik

Obviously, surgery is not suitable for everyone and if you are considering lasik, you are not automatically guaranteed going under the surgeon’s laser. The pre-screening period is vital in assessing your suitability as a candidate for surgery.

If you are experiencing certain problems which will place you at risk or increase your risk of becoming impaired in some form or another, then don’t be surprised if you are not approved.

Less than one per cent of patients have experienced serious complications arising from lasik eye surgery. So what are some of the complications from lasik eye surgery you could be at risk from?

Issues with the flap can make up about 5% of lasik complications. Basically, problems can arise when the flap is not properly re-shaped and could either be too thin or too thick. Ill-fitting flaps may wrinkle so after being placed on the eye’s surface.

Can it affect your vision? Yes, but in the majority of cases, only temporarily.

Issues With The Cornea

Double vision can arise from issues such as bad laser correction which doesn’t center on the eye. The cornea can also react to foreign debris which is caught under the flap. Inflammation usually occurs and permanent vision loss is a risk however, this is a slight risk provided follow up treatment is conducted in quick time.

Some of the other more common complications of lasik eye surgery include dry eye along with over and under correction. As with most of the complications mentioned, follow up treatment will in most cases rectify any issues and this treatment doesn’t have to be more surgery. It could simply be medication prescribed by your doctor.

You will place yourself at great risk if you are initially rejected as a lasik eye surgery candidate and then attempt to get the procedure performed elsewhere. Sure, get a second opinion but a quality and responsible eye surgery center will not want to perform treatment on your eyes if it means putting you at risk.

If you are considering lasik eye surgery then the first thing you need establish is who your lasik surgeon is going to be.

Sounds pretty simple but in actual fact, the lasik surgeons is the most important part of the process and you should be vigilant in your research in finding one.

Lasik Surgeons

Are all lasik surgeons created equal? Truth is, there is a fine line between a good surgeon and an incompetent one. When you are dealing with your eyes, you have every right to be choosy.

Lasik is marketed quite heavily today and while it’s proven to be a boon for people looking for improved vision, the simple fact is it is also big business and the last thing you need is to just be considered as another ring in the cash register.

A caring and skilled lasik surgeon is your primary objective. Let’s take a look at some ways you can narrow down your selection process.

Getting Referrals

A great idea is to ask for referrals, such as from your regular eye care practitioner, who will be able to direct you towards the best surgeon in your area that would be able to take you on and complete the procedure for you.

Once you have found a likely candidate, you should have a list of questions prepared during your consultation period. Some of these questions may sound harsh initially but it’s you who is going under the laser and it’s your eyes which are at risk.

- how long they have been performing lasik procedure?

- how many total procedures have they performed?

- More importantly, how many successful procedures have they performed?

- what percentage of those patients achieved 20/20 vision or better?

- whether or not they have ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?

- have they ever been convicted of a felony?

Many people are a little shy in asking the tough questions but you’ll find a good quality and successful lasik surgeons will have no qualms about being asked. In fact, many welcome the opportunity to answer the tough questions.

While Lasik has been the new kid on the block in relation to eye surgery techniques, PRK(Photorefractive keratectomy) is still an option many surgeons prefer to use in some instances.

PRK eye surgery involves re-shaping the corneal tissue however, unlike it’s Lasik cousin, there is no corneal flap created before the laser is applied. PRK is used to correct problems such as mild myopia and astigmatism.

It’s one of the earlier eye surgery procedures developed and is still very much in use today for the reason mentioned.

Pre-Screening Phase

This can be quite extensive and will involve an exhaustive analysis of the patient. If it doesn’t in your case, then you should ask a question or two along the lines of why not?

Before PRK Laser Eye Surgery is given the green light, a doctor will examine the eye thoroughly and your history with relation to your eyes. An eye exam will comprise a number of assessments including the refractive error measurement, tear function and dilation assessment.

The surgery itself doesn’t take long and will generally only last about 10-15 minutes however, with the preparation involved, you could find yourself in the theater room for up to an hour.

PRK Risks

As with any surgery there are always risks. Here are some risks involved with PRK eye surgery:

- Possible reaction to anesthesia
- Risk of infection
- Under or over correction
- Development of glared vision and halos
- Sensitivity to light
- Corneal haze
- Having worse vision than pre-surgery
- Eye wear may still be needed particularly in older patients

When talking about risks during PRK Laser Eye Surgery it must be remembered that while they exist, the risk factor is still relatively small. The risk is cut down even further through rigorous testing.

Anyone who fails to meet the strict requirements to qualify for the surgery need to understand that their well being needs to be the first consideration.

Recovery time can be affected considerably with some of the risks mentioned should they occur. Recovery is usually longer than Lasik and can be anywhere from 7-14 days.

When bags under the eyes and droopy eyelids come into play then it may be time to consider plastic eye surgery. But do you qualify?

Plastic eye surgery is also known as blepharoplasty and is very effective in reducing the incidence of fat, excess skin and muscle from the lower and upper eyelids. However, it is not a miracle surgery and won’t eliminate all the wrinkles around the eyes or lift your eyebrows.

The Risks Of Plastic Eye Surgery

The risks associated with plastic eye surgery treatment are minimal especially when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. There is a slight risk of a patient having a reaction to the anesthesia or even picking up an infection.

When talking about risks, things like double or blurred vision may be an issue but in most cases, this will only last a few days. Other issues such as swelling in the eyelid or scarring may be a problem but again, these issues will more than likely just be temporary.

It’s in your best interests to discuss the risks of plastic eye surgery with your surgeon so you can recognize yes, they do exist and the consequences you may face.

Do You Qualify For Plastic Eye Surgery?

This is an important consideration. Not everyone is going to be eligible for plastic eye surgery treatment. One of the things you really need to consider are your own expectations. If you go into it expecting to look like a teenager again then your expectations are a little unrealistic.

Your surgeon will give you a good idea of what the procedure will do you your looks. Those who are good candidates include people who are physically and mentally healthy and share realistic expectations about the outcome. Most of them are older than 35, but if you have cases of baggy eyelids in your family, you can decide to have the procedure at a younger age.

There are some conditions which can make plastic eye surgery more risky. These conditions include hypothyroidism or Graves’ disease, dry eyes, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Glaucoma or detached retina is also a reason to be cautious and talk to your doctor before surgery.

The length of plastic eye surgery procedure can vary considerably depending on the amount of work which needs to be performed. It can range anywhere from one to three hours but this is only a rough estimate.

Improving techniques have result in plastic eye surgery treatment becoming more and more popular but remember, keep your expectations at a realistic level.

The incidence of laser eye surgery complication is minimal however, if you’re considering the procedure then you need to be aware of what they are as part of your preparation process.

The percentage of people who suffer corneal infection following surgery is less than one per cent. Delayed healing will be a hindrance to recovering patients but the long term effects with proper post operative treatment are almost negligible.

Laser Eye Surgery Complication

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most common laser eye surgery complications.

- Under or over correction probably heads the list of complications. This simply means a surgeon can’t predict accurately the response of your eyes to treatment and you will be required to continue wearing protective eye wear following the procedure.

- Corneal haze is common and related to PRK(Photorefractive Keratectomy). It’s considered a common aspect of the recovery process and shouldn’t effect one’s vision after complete recovery. Corneal haze risk is not as common with patients who undergo lasik treatment.

- An annoying complication revolves around a condition known as regression. Simply put, despite the procedure, the eye returns to it’s pre-operative state and depending on the patients risk factor, may require another operation.

- A halo effect is a worrying complication for patients especially for those driving at night.

- Lasik patients could be prone to a laser eye surgery complication known as flap damage. In other words, a supposed hinged flap created on the center of the cornea could unexpectedly be dis-lodged.

- The flap could also become distorted to the extent it could affect to some degree a patient’s best corrected vision.

While risks are always present with any type of surgical procedure, the chances of suffering any major laser eye surgery complication are extremely low.

Surgeons may be reluctant to operate on patients who are considered a risk in the pre-operative stage.

The selection of the surgeon when considering Lasik laser eye surgery is extremely important. In fact, many suggest the surgeon’s skill in performing this delicate procedure just about counts for everything.

Selecting a well qualified surgeon will involve a little homework however, endorsements from those who have had the procedure performed successfully in the past is a good way to refine your list.

Another selection method is to talk to your doctor and ask for a recommendation. One of the first things you need to check are the surgeon’s credentials and in particular, how many procedures he/she has performed previously. In other words, experience is a vita; element in choosing a surgeon.

Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

For those with severe vison problems, Lasik laser eye surgery should be a consideration. It also allows a faster recovery than PRK(photorefractive keratectomy) and other methods. In addition, patients who have undergone a LASIK laser eye surgery can see accurately enough to drive and read within just a week.

The Risks

Risks are involved in any type of surgery and Lasik is no different. The risk factor with Lasik however is extremely small especially when the skill and experience of the surgeon is taken into account. However small though, it still exists.

For example, there are side effects to be aware of with LASIK laser eye surgery and this could affect a small number of people. Such effects include over or under-correction, scarring of the cornea, astigmatism, corneal infections, lower contrast sensitivity or problems with driving at night.

PRK And RK

PRK and RK(radial keratotomy) are always an option when going through the pre-screening process. Physicians will evaluate a patient whose intention is to undergo Lasik laser eye surgery and in some cases, could be advised to undergo a PRK or RK procedure instead. After studying all the options they have and consider side effects, many of them eventually agree on other methods.

Many clinical centers, while they do perform LASIK laser eye surgery in many situations, they claim that other methods are in some cases more suitable. For example, some physicians believe that for a small number of patients with low or moderately near-sighted eye conditions, a RK (radial keratotomy) is more appropriate.

The bottom line however, is Lasik laser eye surgery is usually the best option and the other two methods would be considered given the requirements of the patient. This is why choosing an experienced surgeon is in your favor and why the pre-screening process is such a vital aspect of laser eye surgery.