Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

The incidence of the side effects of laser eye surgery are reasonably low, in fact very low however, even with the low risk statistics, it’s still in your best interests to understand what they if you are considering eye surgery.

There are a host of side effects which could surface following the procedure but don’t get too hung up on the long list. If you go through the proper screening process leading up to your surgery, chances are, if you are even slightly at risk you won’t be recommended to go under the laser.

Side Effects Of Laser Eye Surgery

Let’s take a look at some of the side effects of laser eye surgery. Infection and delayed healing is one of the more common risks. Even so, the percentages are well under one per cent. Corneal infection is the more likely side effect but the good news is, there are no real long term effects.

Other side effects include:

- under or over correction is another of the more common side effects. It’s difficult to predict how a person’s eyes will respond to treatment and in some cases, eye wear may still be required following surgery. Further surgery could even be required.

- best corrected vision is another issue although not a serious one. This simply means a patient with contacts may find their vision with contacts is worse than previous and this can be due to factors such as unscheduled tissue removal.

- Corneal haze is usually an issue with patients who undertake PRK(Photorefractive keratotomy) and is less with lasik patients. It doesn’t usually affect the patient’s vision and is usually picked up by an ophthalmologist. Excessive corneal haze in some instances could hamper a person’s vision.

- Regression is a nuisance side effect. It means despite the procedure appearing to be a success, the eye could return back to it’s normal state prior to surgery which means a new procedure may need to be scheduled.

- Halo effect occurs in low light conditions. A halo side effect is a concern to people driving at night and is the result of an image forming because of the untreated section of the cornea.

- Flap damage or loss is one of the side effects of laser eye surgery that can only affect patients undergoing a lasik procedure. In some cases, instead of creating a hinged flap on the center of the cornea, the entire flap tissue comes off. This can usually be replaced after the laser treatment. However, in some cases, the flap can be damaged or lost.

- A distorted flap also affects only patients who have had a lasik procedure. It consists of a distortion in the shape of the cornea created during the healing process, which can result in a lower best-corrected vision.

Detached retinas can be a huge issue however, before one gets to the stage where they are battling a retina that becomes detached, there are several warning signs which shouldn’t be ignored.

So what is the retina and what does it do? In a nutshell, the retina acts as the go between completing the vision cycle by sending messages to the brain, optic nerve or nervous system. It’s role is priceless.

Problems with retinal detachment occur when the retina separates from the eye surface and when this occurs, retinal surgery is necessary. Many people get a little nervous when retinal surgery is mentioned as the main option but it’s really not as bad as it sounds.

The benefits are huge. For example, surgery to correct a detached retina can minimize vision loss and of course, blindness. Isn’t this worth protecting? If you are experiencing problems then don’t delay any longer.

Retinal detachments occur because of damage to the tissue such as holes forming. This can happen over time and affects people with short sightedness and the elderly. As time progresses, the tissue becomes weaker and tears can develop and if not treated, detachment can be the worse case scenario.

Types Of Retinal Detachment

There are different types of retinal detachment. Let’s take a look at three of them:

- Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment… this happens liquid enters the eye area because of a tear or tears.

- Secondary Retinal Detachment…this applies to eye injuries which can lead to fluid forming under the retina even when there is no hole. An eye injury can cause this or inflammation around the eye.

- Tractional Retinal Detachment…in a word, this refers to the retina being physically pulled from the eye surface. Ouch!

Retinal Surgery

Let’s take a look at the types of retinal surgery.

- Scleral buckle surgery involves the sewing of silicone bands to the outer region of the eyeball. The bands then push the wall of the eye against the hole caused by the detached retina and close it, allowing the retina to reattach using natural procedures.

The bands are not usually removed; however, recently it was discovered that there was a possibility that the band might cause the eye to become elongated or misshapen.

- Pneumatic retinopexy is another type of eye surgery for detached retinas. This involves the usage of a gas or silicone bubble that is literally blown into the eye. The bubble floats to the area in which the retina is detached and pressure is applied to the hole.

The pressure or surface tension combined with the material of the gas bubble cause the hole to seal and the retina to reattach itself. This procedure is normally only used when the retina detachment is located in the upper portion of the eyeball.

Speak to your doctor if you suspect problems. There are also several other retinal surgery types which you can discuss with them.

Being truthful during pre-screening for lasik treatment will have as much bearing on whether you put yourself at risk of lasik complications.

It seems many people have the opinion it’s just a matter of showing up to a lasik center and simply declaring their intention to have the procedure performed. But the reality is, there is still a lot to be done before you come face-to-face with a laser.

Yes, the procedure can help you view the world in a better light and lasik is relatively safe but there are factors outside the surgeon’s hands such as relying on a prospective patient to be as truthful as possible about whether they have any conditions which will place their health at risk.

Lasik Pre-Screening

The risk of lasik complications are not great yet this doesn’t mean you should be carefree during the pre-screening process.

The facts are that the chances of experiencing serious complications such as vision loss are minor and if any complications do occur, they can usually be rectified or overcome through further follow up work on the eye.

The road to safe lasik starts with the selection of the surgeon. The surgeon should have plenty of experience in performing the procedure and one of the strongest indications of a good specialist is one who puts your safety ahead of any monetary gain.

A quality and experienced surgeon will tell you this for your own safety and of course, any reputable lasik specialist would not jeopardize their own reputation.

Do You Suffer From Any Conditions?

If you keep anything from your surgeon during the pre screening then you’ll only be putting yourself at risk. The surgeon will do his/her bit by thoroughly screening you and if they don’t, then look for one who will.

If you have a condition your surgeon is unaware of and think it won’t affect the final outcome, you’ll only be fooling yourself. You need to basically “spill the beans” on anything that will lead to lasik complications.

A lot of lasik complications occur during the healing process. This is why it’s important to reveal any conditions you may be suffering from during pre screening because it could impact how well you heal.

The healing process in many instances is just as important as the procedure itself. There are certain conditions such as diabetes which can affect how well you handle the healing process.

So be sure to be truthful during the initial screening process and cut down on the chances of suffering lasik complications.

The longer you ignore surgery for retinal detachment the greater the chances you’ll suffer serious complications. When you eventually have the procedure, retinal surgery recovery will be a lot longer and likely more uncomfortable.

Often the recovery stage is a lot worse than the actual operation but this is only for the patient’s best interest. It’s worse in the respects that as a patient, you’ll be restricted for several days or even weeks. Wearing a patch over the affected area is standard and again, for your own protection.

The issue though, is delaying the surgery. If you know you have a retinal detachment issue then you really shouldn’t delay. Remember, complications will only be exacerbated and if left untreated then blindness is a real issue.

The Recovery Phase

The recovery period will see you have restrictions on some of the activities you can do. For example, any lifting will be prevented during retinal eye surgery recovery and in fact, be prepared for long periods of confinement to bed. The idea here is to keep you still a possible while the healing process takes place.

Vision isn’t improved instantly either. This process can take several weeks or even several months in more extreme cases. You may also need to switch your eye wear following the surgery.

This article is not meant to alarm you about retinal surgery recovery but only to make you aware that unlike lasik procedures, it’s not a simple recovery process. That’s why it’s so important to have it repaired sooner rather than later.

What Are The Risks?

Retina is vital to vision; it is the “place” where the image is “developed” after the images go through the cornea and through the lens. Retina eye surgery solves problems as interocular infection and retinal detachment. Vitreous and retinal problems can cause blindness or severe loss of vision. Most of the times when surgery is required the problems are caused by the vitreous.

Retina eye surgery is used to secure the vitreous to the eye wall so for several days you may be required to maintain a specific head position.

Any surgery has some risk but if you do not treat a retinal detachment you risk blindness or permanent severe vision loss. Cataract, high pressure inside, infection and bleeding are some of the surgical risks, but most of the procedures are successful even if sometimes a second operation is needed.

Maintain Good Eye Health

Keeping your eyes in a good health through proper nutrition and exercises it is very important and you should not neglect it. Protecting your eyes when you are engaged in activities that could harm them, avoiding irritants like smoke or chemical fumes, wearing corrective lenses can help your eyes to remain healthy.

It’s true retinal surgery recovery and the procedure itself may not be pleasant at all but comparing the risks of not doing the operation and doing it there is no doubt you have nothing to lose.

The term retinal detachment surgery could cause a patient some angst simply because it sounds like a drastic procedure but in reality, it’s routine and performed with great precision.

On a more serious note though, if it’s not treated then complications can arise with the most serious being blindness. Deficiencies or even holes within the retina will overtime weaken the retina’s attachment from the eye and treatment is a must. A retinal detachment surgery involves re-attaching the retina and correcting any holes or deficiencies.

Who Needs Retinal Detachment Surgery

Obviously people experiencing the issues mentioned above but there is a strong correlation between age and problem. Failing eyesight is associated with age in many instances while people with nearsightedness who have undergone cataract surgery or people who have suffered eye injuries of a severe nature are likely candidates.

With the issue of age, the contents within the eyeball suffer shrinkage which in turn can cause damage to the retina such as creating holes which in turn can lead to detachment.

The Retina

The retina is delicate within the eye structure and it’s role involves alerting the brain via the conversion of light into signals. Action particles are the end product of the retina which are sent to the brain and nervous system and are created by the retina’s photoreceptor cells as it receives light energy passing through it.

This is just a vague explanation of what the retina’s role is and you could imagine that any holes appearing within it’s three layers of nerve cell tissue or to it’s synapses layers can have an impact on the quality of information sent to the brain and consequently, the overall vision output.

Retinal Detachment Surgery Procedure

The retinal detachment surgery is generally routine and can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The process of “pneumatic retinopexy” is one such surgical option. This involves a gas bubble being injected into the eye by the surgeon which presses the retina flat against the wall of the eye.

Natural healing takes over from there and the body naturally reattaches the retina over time. A laser is used to seal the holes and to hold the retina to the back of the eyeball.

“Scleral buckling” is a surgical process which involves the laser reattachment of the retina as with pneumatic retinopexy, but also includes the use of a silicone band that holds the retina in place. This adds pressure and in theory quickens the process of healing.

Finally, “vitrectomy surgery” replaces the eye fluid with air, gas, or silicone oil. This temporarily replaces the natural fluids until the retina reattaches, then the body’s natural fluids are replaced by normal biological process.

Don’t be put off and frightened by the term retinal detachment surgery. The procedure isn’t frightening and could very well save your eye sight.

The percentage of people who suffer complications from lasik is small however, this doesn’t mean you should approach the surgery without some solid pre-screening and due diligence.

The initial phase of lasik surgery, that is, the pre-consultation and screening is just as important as the surgery itself. Yes, you need to qualify for lasik.

What If You Don’t Qualify?

If you are not qualified for Lasik eye surgery, you may qualify for a number of other procedures that could also help you. The qualifying procedure is very important because it establishes the workability of the procedure on your eyes and on your person.

If you do not qualify for this procedure, do not attempt to find a way around it or visit a less reputed surgeon to do the procedure anyway. You will be denied qualification for a proper medical reason and you should not toy with this reasoning because it is in place for your own protection. Without the qualification procedure, the risk factor increases by a significant degree.

If you qualify for Lasik eye surgery, your doctor will make you aware of some of the Lasik eye surgery complications that resonate with your case. From there, with the knowledge of the Lasik eye surgery complications in your mind, you can make a final decision on the procedure and elect to have or negate the procedure.

If you decide on Lasik eye surgery and the procedure is a great success, you have the process to thank for the safety of yourself throughout the procedure and the success of the procedure as a whole.

How Safe Is Lasik?

It’s extremely safe although a small percentage of patients will suffer complications from lasik. The majority of the complications are minor and can be rectified with follow up treatment. One of the keys to a safe and happy experience is choosing a competent and experienced surgeon who definitely has their patient’s interest at heart.

Lasik eye surgery has virtually changed people’s lives in recent times and it can make a major difference in your life. But don’t be “blinded” by the claims that’s safe and almost risk free. No surgery is risk free.

You need to approach lasik from the view of safety first. Just because it’s been great for someone you know doesn’t mean it it will be great for you.

This article is not meant to alarm you in anyway, it’s designed to ram home two vital points about lasik surgery which can cut out a lot of the risk element in your case.

Choosing The Right Surgeon

The incidence of lasik eye surgery risk will come down to two factors. Firstly, it will depend on you and how truthful you are during the pre-surgery stage and secondly, the skill of the surgeon you select.

Avoiding lasik risk starts with you and the very first moment you meet your surgeon. This pre-screening phase is so vital to the overall outcome of your lasik surgery it cannot be understated.

The Lasik Surgeon’s Role

Many people are “blinded” by smart marketing and are dazzled by some of the cheap lasik prices being advertised. Truth is, very few people qualify for the prices being advertised. It’s a case of reading the fine print. The skill of your surgeon matters greatly.

- Obviously the skill of a surgeon is crucial during the operative stage and

- A skilled, experienced and reputable surgeon will always put you first before dollars and cents.

In other words, it’s almost as if you have to earn your lasik surgery. A reputable surgeon will make sure you’re properly and expertly screened to determine if you are a good candidate.

Cutting down the incidence of lasik risk starts with you. If you hide anything which could threaten the success of the surgery, then it doesn’t matter how good a surgeon is, the risk of complication will be high.

Before you have laser eye surgery, you should be aware of the potential risks and side effects involved with any surgery. The chances of having severe vision-threatening side effects of laser eye surgery are very low. However, there have been a few cases of serious eye injury, requiring corneal transplant.

What Are Some of the Minor Complications of Laser Eye Surgery?
Less than 0.1 percent of all patients suffer from corneal infection after Laser. This usually means an additional discomfort and slower healing, but no long-term effects after a number of years.

Under correction or overcorrection is also one of the most common side effects of LASIK eye surgery. A surgeon cannot predict precisely how your eyes will respond to treatment. This means you might need to keep wearing corrective lenses after surgery. In some situations, you can have another surgical procedure to improve the results.

After laser eye surgery, a few patients find their best-corrected vision withcontact lenses is worse than before. This is also one of the side effects of Laser eye surgery, usually resulting from irregular tissue removal.

Corneal haze is part of the normal recovering process after a LASIK procedure. It usually has no significant effect on your final vision and can be noticed only by an ophthalmologist with a microscope. However, in some cases, excessive haze can interfere with vision.

Regression is another possible side effect of laser eye surgery. For some patients, the eye returns to its initial state within a few months. A new surgical procedure is usually possible in such cases.

The halo effect can affect LASIK patients and is noticed in low light. As the pupil becomes larger, a second faded image forms due to the untreated part of the cornea. This can often interfere with night driving.

Flap Damage and Distorted Flap Is A Major Complication of Laser Eye Surgery
Flap damage or loss is a more severe side effect of laser eye surgery. In some cases, instead of creating a hinged flap on the center of the cornea, the entire flap tissue comes off. This can usually be replaced after the laser treatment. However, in some cases, the flap can be damaged or lost.

A distorted flap is another side effect of laser eye surgery. It consists of a distortion in the shape of the cornea created during the healing process, which can result in a lower best-corrected vision.

Even when both the procedure and the healing process seem to go perfectly, there are some side effects that might still cause discomfort. Older patients, for example, cannot have both good distance and near vision in the same eye without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Patients suffering from myopia who could still read without glasses might no longer be able to do that after surgery. As with all surgeries, talking with your eye surgeon before your procedure enables you to get a better understanding of the risks and complications that could occur with 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.