LASIK lase eye surgery accounts for over 2 million services for vision correction each year and has quickly become one of the most effective ways to maintain good eye health while correcting common vision problems.
Both contact lens and eyeglass wearers turn to laser refractive surgery simply to make life easier, and many laser eye surgery centers now offer convenient financing plans and other options to make LASIK more affordable. Special pricing for new customers and family discounts are a few more attractive options for anyone looking to restore their eyes to a 20/20 level.
Still, many people are walking away from the doctor’s office with less than perfect results. If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery for yourself or a family member, learning about potential complications may help you make an informed decision.
What’s the Problem with LASIK?
With such a high success rate and constantly improving technology, it’s hard to imagine why LASIK surgery would be a problem. However, many people still experience strange side effects that interfere with clear vision in various environments. Inflammation under the LASIK flap can cause scarring and even vision loss if it is left undiagnosed. Astigmatism is another common side effect that results in ‘seeing ghosts’ and speckles in the field of vision; this can create many problems in day-to-day activities, especially for those who sit in front of computer monitors for extended periods of time.
The American Journal of Opthalmology (April 2006) encourages all patients to work only with qualified and experienced doctors to prevent eye health problems and other complications. Still, even with LASIK’s strong record, some people still experience a number of complications from their corrective eye surgery procedure that may become difficult to manage.
Finding the right LASIK surgeon is the first step towards insuring you receive a quality laser refractive surgery procedure. A qualified surgeon will screen you for complications beforehand, and may even steer you clear of LASIK altogether to try implantable lenses or LASEK instead. Regardless of the corrective eye surgery procedure you choose, laser refractive eye surgery still poses a number of health risks.
Common Complications of LASIK Corrective Eye Surgery
Flap complications are among the most common problems of laser refractive eye surgery, and account for .3 – 5.7 percent of all LASIK procedures, according to the American Journal of Opthalmology.
Other problems include:
- Irregular astigmatism – blurred vision
- Keratectasia – bulging of the eyes if the flap is too deep
- Higher order aberrations - super-sensitivity to bright lights that results in an extra ‘glow’ and white lights around them
- Spherical aberrations - seeing halos around light-colored and bright objects in the environment Dry eye - itchy, inflamed, and irritated eyes that can become painful without eyedrops or artificial tears
- General infections - redness, swelling, and fluid oozing from the incision area
Some complications of corrective eye surgery can be managed with temporary use of glasses, contact lenses, and antibiotic medications if infection is present. Still, many people continue to experience phases of distorted vision weeks and months after the surgery is complete.
Source: http://www.locateadoc.com/articles.cfm/372/1462