Laser eye treatment such as LASIK has proved to provide excellent results and success rates. The design of this treatment has been done for treating Myopia or short sightedness along with astigmatism and hyperopia (far sightedness). This surgery allows patients to stay without contact lenses or glasses thereafter.
Though LASIK surgeries show excellent success, complications may arise post treatment. These are rare though and can be resolved with medical treatments or additional surgery.
So are you interested in getting rid of contact lenses or unwanted glasses? Well, caution needs to be advocated here. Though everything looks rosy, there are some aspects that need your consideration.
Scientists from a reputed institution in India have found evidence that Indian corneas are not suitable for laser surgery. Indians have thin corneas that are prone to major complications after LASIK surgery. Though proper screening can avoid such complications, they definitely exist and can’t be ignored.
Some unfortunate patients also run risk of damaging their eyes permanently, if correct screening is not performed before surgery.
Laser eye surgery is performed to correct vision defects. During the process, a part of cornea is sliced off. For perfection, the part to be sliced needs to be nothing less than accurate as the remaining part will be used for normal functioning of eyes.
Are there any risks/complications arising due to wrongly performed laser eye surgery?
Some complications associated with laser eye treatment include:
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Improper astigmatism:
Improperly curved surface of the cornea results in this condition.
This condition is also caused due to laser corrections if they are not done properly. Double vision is a common factor associated with this condition. -
Ingrowth in epithelium:
LASIK surgery may lead to growth of cells from the cornea’s outer layer below the flap. Though this condition can be self-limiting, it may cause blurred vision or discomfort to some patients.
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Inflammation under flap (DLK):
There may be various reasons for this condition. However, if not controlled, it can cause hindrance in healing or lead to loss of vision too. Lifting of the flap will be necessitated if such a condition arises for removing inflammation causing cells and prevent further damage to tissue.
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Bulging (Keratoconus):
The surface of patient’s eye may witness irregular bulging if removal of tissue during surgery is done more than necessary.
This may also occur if the patient’s cornea is weak before surgery. -
Dry eyes:
There are some patients who may experience dry eyes post laser surgery. Tear production may be reduced and blurred vision along with discomfort are common factors associated. This condition is experienced by close to half patients who undergo laser eye surgery.
What to look out for before surgery to avoid complications?
Though the above mentioned complications may arise due to laser eye treatment, ensuring that you follow certain guidelines might help you avoid them to some extent. These guidelines include:
- Choose reputed eye clinics or surgeons: Inexperience of surgeons can be a factor that may lead to incorrect surgery. So make informed decisions while choosing eye surgeons or eye clinics. Good clinics will always possess latest technology. They will always have correct measures implemented for infection control at their centers.
- Check if you are Ideal candidate for surgery: Proper screening as mentioned earlier is crucial for successful laser eye surgery. Again, a reputed surgeon will ensure that you are the ideal candidate for performing eye surgery. If not, the surgeon may suggest some alternative method for treatment.
How much do you need to pay for surgery?
The cost for laser eye treatment in India is dependent on factors such as type of clinic or hospital you choose, your city of residence and associated treatments based on your conditions. You can know about the treatment charges here.
Conclusively, laser eye surgery is best for those who are fortunate to not experience any side effects post treatment. However, the complications mentioned above and the measures you need to adopt before treatment will ensure that you are on a safer side.