What Are The Risks Of Laser Eye Surgery – Laser surgery is successful in 95 percent of cases. But the operation can become a nightmare that requires complex treatment. Because it is a new, poorly documented field of medicine.
Langis Michaud does not work for, consult with, own stock in, or receive funding from any company or organization. who will benefit from this article and did not disclose any affiliations other than academic appointments.
What Are The Risks Of Laser Eye Surgery
It will soon be one year since Jessica Starr, a famous Detroit weather forecaster, took her own life. Her husband said she did it because of complications related to her recent laser vision correction surgery.
Types Of Laser Eye Surgery
Such complications are not as rare as people think. The New York Times warned in 2018 about the potential impact on some patients recently and closer to home. A nationwide lawsuit has been filed against Quebec-based Lasik MD. It allegedly failed to properly warn customers of the risks associated with vision correction surgery.
Does this mean that the dream of ditching the glasses while still being able to see better should be forgotten?
Laser refractive surgery aims to change the profile of the cornea. Front and clear parts of the eyes To correct common vision problems, including myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism. The idea is to eliminate the need for glasses.
It was introduced in Germany in 1983. The first steps in North America were performed in 1985. Since then, having been performed millions of times in that time, laser surgery was a viable alternative to the more imprecise technique, keratotomy radial (KR).
When Laser Surgery Turns Into A Nightmare, The Toll Can Be Enormous
Laser-first technology leads to better, more consistent and more predictable results. But it is accompanied by many complications, such as severe pain during the procedure and later in the day. Off-center treatment leading to perceived halos and glare, under- or over-correction of retouching, or reversion to wearing glasses. Persistent corneal haze or delayed healing of the corneal surface where there is an increased chance of infection.
Keratomileusis) was developed in the 1990s. This time, a laser is applied when a flap of the corneal incision is lifted by a small bladed planer. Then replace the cover without stitching.
Every operation has risks. Serious events after LASIK occur in only 0.1 percent of cases. But complications affect between 10 and 30 percent of patients who undergo surgery, compared with 7.7 percent after cataract surgery.
Although most complications are minor and do not result in permanent results. A number of patients suffer from chronic pain. severe postoperative and/or eye problems, to the point that former FDA expert Morris Waxler called for a recall and suspension pending further safety reviews.
Pros And Cons Of Lasik: Are The Risks Worth The Cost?
After laser surgery the Cornea is traumatized and requires recovery to return to normal function. In the case of LASIK, the cornea is cut at the level of the sensory nerve. These nerves protect the eyes. but also to provide feedback (biofeedback) necessary for the production of new tears
The eyes will dry out and their surface may deteriorate. in most cases the severed nerve will return to normal function within four to six months. But for some patients Now it’s a nightmare.
Karen (not her real name) was one of the patients I just met. As a young active leader She chose plastic surgery for practical reasons (work, sports events) and aesthetic reasons. with attractive promotions and prices She went to the laser center and was quickly examined by the staff and on top of that, she was scheduled for surgery the next day! Without much thought, she continued.
In the following days and weeks Her eyes began to hurt more and more – the pain was so bad it felt like a knife had pierced her eye. Red eyes and sensitivity to light make him wear sunglasses even indoors. She has trouble sleeping.
Is Lasik Eye Surgery Safe?
Staff at the center tried to calm him down. saying that this will only happen temporarily She was the only one that this happened to. and it will heal on its own Several weeks passed with no improvement. She asked to see the surgeon again.
The surgeon told her that her eye was healed and nothing could be done. Karen’s tone of voice and expression made her extremely helpless. She had a feeling of rejection. She denied what she was experiencing, she did not understand, the situation affected her work. She always started consulting other professionals that her eyes were perfect. no one seems to understand
Karen suffers from a neurological disease. It is a disorder of the peripheral nerves that causes symptoms. But it is not associated with any obvious pathology. After LASIK, the corneal nerves remain permanently damaged. Like an empty or reborn electrical wire but not properly connected in any case Nerves continuously transmit pain signals to the brain.
After a few weeks/months the pain becomes a visceral sensation (such as pain emanating from a phantom limb), and the brain plays a role in chronicling it. Because no one really understands this condition. The patients then became unemployed and depressed as their symptoms worsened.
Things To Expect After Glaucoma Surgery
The lack of understanding about this case stems from the fact that it is a relatively new field in ophthalmic medicine that is not documented in the scientific literature. Treatment is complicated and time-consuming. in fact It is necessary to restore normal nerve connections by destroying the bad nerves, taking medications such as cortisone, the serum flowing from the body. and decorative lenses made from amniotic membranes, etc.
Internal stimulation should be identified using oral medications prescribed by a specialist pain clinic. Antidepressants may also be helpful. But it often results in drier eyes. that does not bear fruit Psychotherapy is essential. by specialists trained in the treatment of chronic pain In theory, hemp oil can help. But this method is controversial.
Karen lost her job due to frequent absences and loss of productivity. Her treatment is expensive and eating up the savings. Financial stress builds up over several months. And the light at the end of the tunnel is not always clear. The situation puts a lot of pressure on her marriage and the husband finds it difficult to cope with such situations.
First of all, it is best to avoid making decisions on a whim. Get information from your eye care professional. People who have known your eyes for a long time. Then ask for at least two opinions in the center. before proceeding and evaluate those interactions and the level of trust you feel.
No Cut Lasik
Certain risk factors can reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. For example, many patients choose to have surgery because they cannot tolerate contact lenses. There was eye discomfort and dry eyes at the end of the day. If this This is because the eyes are already prone to dryness. And the surgery will only make your eyes drier. Therefore, it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist to treat this dryness.
If your eyes tend to be dry Surgery will make your eyes even drier. Therefore, it should be kept dry before surgery and cut until the surface of the eye is ready for surgery.
Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases should avoid refractive surgery. These diseases include fibromyalgia. Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis as well. People with severe and chronic diabetes or migraines are also poor candidates. Finally, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder should also abstain. This can cause the pulp sheet to fall off.
Patients with severe myopia (>8D) and patients with large pupils Hyperpigmentation (the black part of the eye larger than 5 millimeters) tends to continue to perceive halos and glare after surgery.
Lasik Eye Surgery Details At The Royal Spanish Center
When it is done It is important that there is adequate professional follow-up. Want to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist in any case support staff Even after being well trained Not legally allowed to diagnose your condition. (To say that everything is fine is a diagnosis in itself.)
It is important not to neglect regular eye examinations. People with severe myopia, even after surgery, are at risk for retinal tears.
Laser surgery is successful in over 95 percent of cases. to avoid chronic problems It is important to be well evaluated and informed.
You only have two eyes and you can’t change them. Therefore, take every precaution to ensure that laser treatment is safe for you.
Is Lasik Safe?
Write articles and join a growing community of over 162,000 academics and researchers from 4,590 institutions. LASIK (Laser In-situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery. This is a refractive surgery in which the cornea is reshaped to allow light to focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. Reshaping the cornea during surgery Improves eye function And the need to buy prescription glasses is greatly reduced or eliminated. Contact our ophthalmologists to learn more about LASIK.
Of