Risks Of Laser Eye Surgery Procedures
Laser eye surgery, in general, is a safe procedure.
In the past, the rate of complications resulting in permanent visual loss after the surgery is approximately 5%.
Nowadays, with further advancements in technology, the risk has decreased to less than 1%.
However, there are still numerous risks involved.
Although serious complications of laser eye surgery do not occur frequently, it is still important to know the possible serious side effects that you can get from it.
Two of the more serious complications that one can experience after include diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia.
Diffuse lamellar keratitis, also known as the "Sands of the Sahara", is an inflammation of the cornea.
It has been associated with cellular debris that was left underneath the corneal flap created during laser eye surgery.
On the other hand, corneal ectasia is a condition wherein the surface of the eye bulges.
This occurs when an excessive amount of tissue is removed from the patient's cornea.
Both diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia can result in blurring of vision.
In more severe cases, permanent visual loss can occur.
Severe cases of both diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia require corneal transplant.
Aside from these two conditions, other serious complications include irregular astigmatism, displacement of the corneal flap, erosion of the epithelium, macular hole and retinal detachment.
There are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing complications.
These include individual problems in healing, pregnancy, a thin cornea and large pupil size, to name a few.
Because of these, individuals with these conditions are not recommended to undergo laser eye surgery.
It is possible to minimize your risk of developing complications of corrective eye surgery.
You can do this by being very careful in choosing your ophthalmologist.
Get a background of your eye surgeon - find out where he or she practices, what medical organizations he or she is a member of, and how successful he or she is with laser eye surgery.
If you would rather choose an eye clinic instead of an individual surgeon, make sure that the clinic you choose has a good reputation and is registered with the proper authorities.
Discuss fully with your eye surgeon what the risks are of your contemplated procedure.
After the surgery, it is also important to follow the necessary post-operative care techniques to minimize the occurrence of complications.
In the past, the rate of complications resulting in permanent visual loss after the surgery is approximately 5%.
Nowadays, with further advancements in technology, the risk has decreased to less than 1%.
However, there are still numerous risks involved.
Although serious complications of laser eye surgery do not occur frequently, it is still important to know the possible serious side effects that you can get from it.
Two of the more serious complications that one can experience after include diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia.
Diffuse lamellar keratitis, also known as the "Sands of the Sahara", is an inflammation of the cornea.
It has been associated with cellular debris that was left underneath the corneal flap created during laser eye surgery.
On the other hand, corneal ectasia is a condition wherein the surface of the eye bulges.
This occurs when an excessive amount of tissue is removed from the patient's cornea.
Both diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia can result in blurring of vision.
In more severe cases, permanent visual loss can occur.
Severe cases of both diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal ectasia require corneal transplant.
Aside from these two conditions, other serious complications include irregular astigmatism, displacement of the corneal flap, erosion of the epithelium, macular hole and retinal detachment.
There are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing complications.
These include individual problems in healing, pregnancy, a thin cornea and large pupil size, to name a few.
Because of these, individuals with these conditions are not recommended to undergo laser eye surgery.
It is possible to minimize your risk of developing complications of corrective eye surgery.
You can do this by being very careful in choosing your ophthalmologist.
Get a background of your eye surgeon - find out where he or she practices, what medical organizations he or she is a member of, and how successful he or she is with laser eye surgery.
If you would rather choose an eye clinic instead of an individual surgeon, make sure that the clinic you choose has a good reputation and is registered with the proper authorities.
Discuss fully with your eye surgeon what the risks are of your contemplated procedure.
After the surgery, it is also important to follow the necessary post-operative care techniques to minimize the occurrence of complications.
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