Laser eye surgery for correcting refractive errors of the eye can be performed with different techniques and procedures and no procedure is dangerous if performed with the standard protocols and by qualified surgeon. Three basic kinds of laser surgery for eye refractive error correction are Lasik, Lasek and PRK. These are absolutely safe, as they have excellent safety profiles with higher rates of success. All these three are designed and developed to get rid of the hassle-some contact lens or eye glasses, by treating hyperopia, astigmatism or myopia problems. So far the patient safety record has been excellent.
Is the Surgery Dangerous?
Laser related surgery is never dangerous, when done with the standard protocols, because laser does not harm the skin like incision made with the blade or knife. So, technically there are no dangerous outcomes possible, unless done accidentally.
So, Any Complications?
Yes, there can be complications, which can be caused from various factors and reasons. These complications sometimes can be threatening slightly, like deterioration of vision or even significant loss of vision. There are also certain side effects possible. Complications and side effects are different. Almost all kinds of complications and side effects can be resolved, with medical treatments and also through surgical procedures.
There are millions of patients, who have undergone laser eye surgery after commencement of the surgery, during these 20 years. The possible complications and side effects post laser surgery can be the following.
- Flap Complications
- Temporary discomfort and disturbances of vision
- Dry eyes
- Remarkable regression, overcorrection or under-correction
- Eye infection
Factors for Complication and Risks
Laser surgeries are performed with different procedures and different techniques and each of the procedures require certain eligibility criteria. And not everyone is suitable to undergo these surgical procedures. And certain anatomical factors and certain conditions would limit optimal results of the surgery or increase the undesirable outcome risks. These factors are the following.
- Irregular corneas or too thin corneas can leave the correction of refraction error incomplete and so the outcome also incomplete, out of expected. Usually, pre-examination and assessment of the eye condition can help to determine the best suitable procedure to resolve the refractive error problems.
- High refractive error is also another important one and this condition sometimes do not get resolved or corrected with a single laser eye surgery and sometimes enhancement procedure also may be required.
- Unstable vision is yet another factor that may not be resolved completely or may create new complications.
- Dry eyes may worsen the outcomes and this problem can be more severe after the laser eye surgery.
- Large pupils may not allow to get the best outcomes without risks and complications.
- Age is another important factor and risks and complications can be more prominent if the age is not in between 20 to 40 years.
- Active autoimmune or certain degenerative disorders may increase the risks and complications.
These complications can be reduced by conducting pre-surgery assessment and determining the best suitable laser eye surgery, by the eye surgeons.
How To Minimize the Complications?
Since laser eye surgery is also a surgery, limitations, unforeseen side effects and potential risks cannot be ruled out. These limitations, risks and complications can be minimized significantly, by choosing qualified and experienced laser eye surgeon and relying on the medical center that follows standard protocols for procedures.