have there been any studies with projected long run implications of LASIK surgery?
is LASIK surgery as safe for everyone (regardless of age, gender, eye condition)?
have there een any unsuccessful cases of LASIK surgery? http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurg...
LASIK Risks and Complications
By Keith Croes; revised by Marilyn Haddrill; reviewed by Dr. Vance Thompson
As with any surgery, the potential for LASIK side effects does exist. But how risky is it, really, to undergo LASIK?
This article offers an overview of factual, clinical information to help you understand complications that might occur with LASIK, and whether they can be resolved.
Also consider that LASIK complications are less likely with an experienced surgeon who has performed hundreds or thousands of procedures.
How Common Are LASIK Complications?
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Studies in the late 1990s indicated that up to 5% of people who underwent LASIK experienced some type of problem. However, experienced LASIK surgeons now are reporting that complication rates can be held below 1% if surgical candidates are selected carefully. Even when LASIK complications do occur, they often can be resolved through laser re-treatments or enhancements of the eye. It's very rare for LASIK to cause permanent, significant vision loss such that eyesight with contact lenses and eyeglasses (best corrected vision) is actually worse than it was before surgery.
LASIK Flap Complications
When LASIK complications occur, they often are associated with the cutting of a hinged flap in the clear front covering of the eye (cornea), which is lifted for laser re-shaping of the eye. The flap then is replaced to form a type of natural bandage.
What someone with post-op starbursts might see at night.
Nighttime haloes.
LASIK flaps typically have been cut through use of a bladed instrument known as a microkeratome. However, newly introduced technology known as IntraLase means that LASIK flaps now can be cut by laser. Clinical studies have shown IntraLase to be associated with increased accuracy and fewer flap complications such as inducement of vision defects associated with certain corneal surface irregularities (higher order aberrations). [See also: Blade Versus Bladeless LASIK Debate.]
Because IntraLase is a more expensive option, patients may be asked to choose whether they want flaps to be cut with a blade or with a laser. Patients also may be given the choice of whether to select traditional, less expensive LASIK, that addresses standard vision errors such as myopia and astigmatism, or custom LASIK that also can treat more obscure vision errors caused by higher order aberrations. Custom LASIK also appears less likely than traditional LASIK to induce higher order aberrations that can distort vision. [Read more about custom LASIK, including clinical trial results.]
If the LASIK flap is not cut correctly, it may fail to adhere correctly to the eye's surface. The flap also might be cut too thinly or thickly. After the flap is placed back on the eye's surface, it might begin to wrinkle. These types of flap complications can lead to an irregularly shaped eye surface and a vision defect known as irregular astigmatism, which can lead to vision distortions.
One study reported by the University of Rochester and Ohio State University demonstrated that the flap cut in LASIK also may interfere with custom LASIK, which involves precise measurements of the eye's optical system to detect vision flaws that in the past went uncorrected. Replacing the flap after precise laser vision correction may interfere with optimal outcomes because the flap itself was not reshaped with custom measurements.
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Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK), also nicknamed "Sands of the Sahara," can occur with the appearance of dead cells called "infiltrates" underneath the LASIK flap. The cornea then reacts to the presence of foreign matter, causing inflammation and scarring. Potentially permanent vision loss can occur if there is no prompt treatment with therapies such as antibiotics and topical steroids. The flap also might need to be lifted and scraped for removal of infiltrates and epithelial in-growth.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relies heavily on clinical studies when determining whether to approve a laser, a surgical procedure, a drug treatment, or a medical device (such as contact lenses or corneal inserts).
Criteria include patient safety, efficacy both short- and long-term, and adequate product labeling. The process can take several years, since it involves a lot of discussions with FDA panel members as well as testing on both animals and people.
Depending on the product or procedure, many companies find it is easier to obtain marketing approval in other countries before the United States, because the FDA is so rigorous. In fact, in the early 1990s many Americans traveled to Canada for laser vision correction because it was available there before it was approved in the United States.
The FDA's pace may seem slow, but the good part is that American refractive surgery patients benefit from the experience that clinical researchers gain by using the device or procedure in other countries first. 鈥?L.S.
Irregular Astigmatism as a LASIK Complication
Irregular astigmatism resulting from a less than smooth corneal surface also can result when the laser correction is not centered properly on the eye. Resulting symptoms can include double vision (diplopia) or "ghost images." In these cases, the eye may need re-treatment or an enhancement. Irregular corneal healing or swelling after LASIK surgery also can cause double vision or "ghost images," though these likely will disappear on their own when the healing process is complete there is always a risk of complications in any medical procedure. LASIK should only be done with certain specifications as to what is causing your vision obstruction. however, studies show that 99% of LASIK procedures are successful. only 1% of documented patients experienced complications, and most were minor. from what i heard, it seems safe. it must be wierd having the surgery thou. my friend had it done ,. hes in his "older" years. I have been looking into lasik surgery and came across a great site that answered a lot of my questions. I would definitely check it out. I would say that the risk involved is much higher.. I underwent lasik almost a year ago and currently i am still having halos and starburst at night and under low lighting conditions there is also the feeling of hazyness. As a result, I am unable to drive at night. And guess what, my surgeon label my case as a success. Dun be fooled by the statistics.. This is a good site to do your research on http://www.lasermyeye.org/ .. i wished i had came across it before i did my surgery.
I tried searching for support group for people who have bad results from lasik in singapore and could not find any.. so if anyone of you are reading this, please send me an email so that i know that i am not alone in this battle. |
