Lasik Laser Vision Surgery and its Side Effects

Lasik laser vision correction procedures help enable a patient to become less dependent, if at all, on corrective glasses or contact lenses. Most people who have the surgery done go from fully relying on corrective lenses in order to see clearly to having near perfect vision within a matter of minutes. However, all procedures come with risks and Lasik is no different.

The use of a specialized cold beam laser to reshape the cornea of the eye providing clear vision is involved in the Lasik laser vision correction procedure. There are many side effects associated with this procedure that the patient should be aware of.  

The most common side effect is that the dependency on corrective lenses is still there, even after the surgery. Sometimes lenses are needed for night driving, reading or in some cases, all the time. Although additional lenses may be needed, they are often of a weaker prescription than what was used prior to the surgery. Although they can do things to treat it, the effect may never go away completely.  

People with severe nearsightedness or farsightedness are at a higher risk of needing additional support from corrective lenses after surgery than those with typical or minor vision problems. Patients will need to have an understanding of realistic expectations for the surgery prior to committing to Lasik laser vision correction.  

A person should consider all the possible negative repercussions of Lasik laser vision correction. After having the surgery done some patients may experience halos, glares, or even double vision. This is most commonly noted during nighttime and associated with night driving.

One of the risks with Lasik laser vision correction is dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as KCS.   The laser severs some of the nerves in the eye as it repairs the shape of the cornea during the Lasik procedure. The nerves typically repair themselves over time however, for some, permanent damage may occur, resulting in dry eye as the nerves are unable to transmit the information that causes the tear ducts to product tears when the eye is too dry. This issue may be controlled using medicated drops long term yet sight might be impaired because of dry eye and irritation.

A small percentage of Lasik laser eye correction patients are diagnosed with an infection as a result of the surgery. This is often easily controlled and cured with oral and topical medications and rarely occurs. For example, a Northern California eye surgery center makes available classes with an eye doctor in Stockton for Lasik eye surgery in Stockton so the patient is informed week’s before making an appoitnent.

Smoky vision is the standard side effect most people have once they come out of surgery. Smoky vision often diminishes several hours after Lasik surgery has been performed. Small irritation is also an effect and a lot of the times is described as a grain of sand in your eye. This is also temporary and will resolve itself in a few days.

Comprehending common Lasik laser eye correction risks can assist in enabling individuals to make an educated choice regarding the surgery. Other side effects and risks will be talked about with the eye care laser surgeon and provider throughout counseling before getting Lasik surgery. Evaluating the risks may assist in figuring out whether someone’s a Lasik Laser vision correction candidate, or not.

What to do After Laser Surgery

Laser eye surgery unlike other surgical procedures are normally almost a painless experience. You are awake and aware of what is going on during the procedure. The procedures itself normally takes only around 10 to 15 minutes.

Nevertheless there are still some simple do it yourself eye care treatment that you have to follow. Also there are some action that could be dangerous to your eyes that you have to avoid.

Here are 10 basic rules of what you should and should not do after the surgery.

1) First and foremost do not skip your follow up treatment with your eye doctor. Follow up appointment is very important to check up your eyes and make sure that the surgery was successful and also to detect if there is any negative side effects.

2) Use the medicated eye drops that was prescribed by your eye doctor. Follow the direction as to how often and how long you should use them.

3) If your doctor prescribed you with medication such as antibiotic or anti inflammatory, do take them according to your doctors instructions.

4) Keep your hands away from your eyes. No excessive touching or rubbing. Use your eye drops to relief your eyes from itchiness.

5) When taking a bath make sure that no soap or water will enter your eyes. Avoid swimming or bath tub shower or any other activities that expose water to your eyes.

6) Plan to look like a secret service for some time. Always keep a pair of dark sunglasses with you. You may need it at any time when you are outdoors. Your eyes are still very sensitive to sunlight and you want to avoid your eyes from Ultra Violet Light exposure. Also keep your eyes from any bright light.

7) For ladies, try not to apply any facial makeup for some time. Chemical ingredients in your makeup could irritate skin around your eyes and may lead to eye infections.

Avoid any games or activities that require rough physical contact. Your eyes still need some time to be well adjusted.

9) Make sure to wear eye goggles when you go to sleep. Your eyes need to be protected from any unintentional harm or injury while sleeping.

10) Avoid watching television, doing work on the computer or reading during the first 24 hours after the surgery. Spend more time lying down relax and close your eyes.

Normally you could be back to work within one to three days after the surgery. Again it depends on the case by case basis, since every surgery is different so does every patients.

The above recommendations are the basic precautions that everyone should take after eye laser surgery in order to avoid any complications that might occur and also for fast recovery.

How Bad is Laser Eye Surgery Side Effects?

As recent as in the last few years, laser eye surgery has become a very popular alternative to people who has been dependent on their eye glasses or contact lenses all their lives.

In a rush to leave their glasses and contact lenses behind people are rushing for this new treatment. Likewise wee see lasik eye surgery treatment centers and private clinics mushrooming in every cities.

What many people are unaware of is that there is risk involved in the surgery procedures. A laser surgery is not for everyone.

The procedure is not suitable to some people due to their health and medical condition. The eye surgeon would normally advise the patient during consultation if they are the right candidate for the surgery.

Laser eye surgery complications does exist to a certain degrees. Although the percentage is very very small and almost negligible.

May be most people might have thought of complications in terms of serious consequences such as blindness or serious infections.

The fact is that the most common complications or rather side effects is called regression. Regression is simply your eye sight vision turns back to the state before the surgery.

This includes blurred vision again or your eyes might become very sensitive to lights and also another problem is dry eyes that could become painful at times.

So mistakes do happen sometimes due to eye doctors misjudgment or patients willingness to take risk despite chances of higher risk in some people.

The bottom line is to get yourself educated with all the fact and figures before jumping into the surgery room. Find the eye doctor with the right credential and experience to work with.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and clear any doubt that you have during the screening process. This is very important in order to determine the right surgery procedures that you need.

Majority of people have a great success with laser eye surgery. The failure rate is far too small to outweight the success stories.

Information on Corrective Eye Surgery

Information on Corrective Eye Surgery

Several types of correct eye surgery exist today and these different types of corrective eye surgery fall under two main categories: Excimer Laser procedures and Non-Excimer laser procedures. As is the case with other conditions that affect the body, major technological advances have been made in recent years in the field of corrective eye surgery. The following is a brief introduction to the two categories.

Excimer Laser Procedures

An Excimer laser is a tool that was approved for the treatment of nearsightedness ranging in severity from mild to moderate. Use of the Excimer laser is complicated and it’s important to work with ophthalmologists who are both trained in the surgical procedure and who have demonstrated the ability to properly operate and calibrate this precision instrument.

The Excimer Laser was originally approved for PKR, or Photorefractive Keratectomy and its usage was later expanded for LASIK procedures, or Laser in situ Keratomileusis. With PKR, the cornea is reshaped by eliminating excess tissue from the cornea’s outer surface. With each computer calculated lightening-fast laser pulse, a microscopic ultraviolet light beam removes the excess tissue. After only a few minutes and the application of local anesthesia, the procedure is over. In just a day or so, patients can resume normal activity.

In a LASIK procedure, the eye doctor rather than the laser’s built-in computer determines where incisions will be made and how much tissue will be removed. This is a more complex and invasive procedure and it is one that is recommended for more severe refractive conditions. Using a microkeratome (a knife), the eye surgeon slices and then pulls back a flap of the tissue covering the cornea. With the tissue out of the way, the laser is then used to remove tissue and reshape the cornea. The flap is put back into place and the patient typically can see well enough to drive home after the procedure. LASEK and epi-LASIK are variations of the LASIK procedure.

Non Excimer Laser Procedures

These are procedures that rely on artificial implants, surgery and reshaping to correct eye problems. Lens implants are effective for individuals who have cataracts, nearsightedness and farsightedness. Intraocular lenses or IOLs are used as replacements for the damaged cloudy lenses caused by cataracts. New and improved artificial lenses now incorporate the use of hinges that allow the eye to move and act like a real lens.

Other types of implantable contact lens can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. They act much like removable contact lenses but require no maintenance and wearers cannot feel these lenses and implants.

Thermokeratoplasty involves the use of heat to manipulate the collagen within the cornea. In doing so, refractive errors can be corrected in a matter of minutes. There are two types of Thermokeratoplasty procedures. Laser thermal keratoplasty or LTK involves the use of holmium YAG laser and CK or conductive keratoplasty involves use of radiofrequency waves.

Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) involves cutting the cornea in order to reshape it. However, its use has diminished since laser treatments involve less risk and are far more effective at reshaping the cornea.

Lasik eye surgery

Lasik eye surgery

Advertisements for LASIK surgery are everywhere. Anyone who wears contact lenses and eye glasses can relate well to the feeling of finally being free of the maintenance and bother involved in wearing either. As tempting as the advertisements are, LASIK Surgery may not be right for everyone.

Understanding LASIK Surgery

LASIK is the acronym for laser in-situ keratomy, eye surgery involving use of a powerful laser called an Excimer. The Excimer has been designed especially for working in the delicate eye area. The laser works quickly to reshape a person’s cornea, which generally is all that is needed to correct myopia (known also as nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatisms.

Reshaping the cornea generally is a simple matter of removing excess tissue from beneath the cornea. In order to get at this tissue, a tiny flap must be pulled back from the cornea’s surface. The laser can create this flap, and so can a tool called a microkeratome blade.

Laser pulses zap as much excess tissue as the ophthalmologist determines after reviewing a very detailed image of the cornea called a corneal topography. In literally a matter of minutes and often without feeling any pain, the shape of the cornea is corrected and vision restored. In fact, vision is usually restored so quickly that a patient can drive him or herself home from the procedure.

Deciding on LASIK Surgery

One of the biggest decisions a person interested in LASIK Surgery needs to make is whether this type of eye surgery is affordable. It is categorized as a cosmetic type of surgery and therefore many health insurance plans won’t provide coverage.

The costs for this surgery vary considerably, but generally the costs of using a reliable and knowledgeable ophthalmologist will run several thousand dollars – per eye! So cost is definitely one big consideration.

If it’s decided that the costs are justifiable, there are some individuals for whom this type of surgery may not be effective. Only healthy eyes and eyes that have stopped changing can be operated on. There also are certain prescription limitations which automatically disqualify a patient from this type of surgery.

A comprehensive review of a prospective patient’s medical history is undertaken prior to LASIK Surgery. A number of tests are also performed at an initial consultation for the purpose of detecting eye problems and/or diseases which could affect the surgery. Due to hormonal considerations, LASIK Surgery cannot take place when a woman is pregnant or when either a man or a woman has a compromised immune system as this condition could jeopardize the eye’s recovery.

To summarize, if such a procedure is affordable and the eyes meet the procedure requirements, LASIK Surgery may be a good option to pursue. The surgery itself has a very high success rate and combined with the fact that it’s practically painless, it probably makes sense to give it a try.

The next section will review the different types of LASIK eye Surgery that are available and the risks and possible complications of each.