Laser vision correction has become a common and effective surgical procedure for treating refractive errors. Since its FDA approval in 1999, laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK eye surgery) has helped millions of people improve their eyesight. But like any medical intervention, it is not without potential risks and complications.
Many patients experience symptoms such as dry eyes, glare, light sensitivity, halos, starbursts, and poor night vision. People with severe side effects may see smeared images, blurry vision, and even double vision. Some patients experience regression, when their eyes revert back to pre-LASIK vision. Regardless of the severity of the symptoms, the eye experts at the Assil Gaur Eye Institute can treat them.
Though issues with LASIK eye surgery are rare at AGEI, our doctors often assist patients who have begun their treatment elsewhere. Many times, a simple regime of steroid drops or lubricant eye drops can alleviate the problem with artificial tears.
Laser eye surgery side effects
While the most common side effects of LASIK are temporary vision problems as your eyes adjust, other complications can arise if your ocular surgeon isn’t adequately trained.
Post-LASIK complications may include:
- Pain or discomfort during or after the laser procedure. This can usually be managed with pain medications or other supportive measures.
- Temporary swelling and redness in the eye. This usually resolves itself within a few days.
- The epithelium — the thin layer over the surface of the eye — can migrate under the corneal flap while the eye heals. This epithelial ingrowth often requires surgical removal of the epithelium to correct.
- Bruising, particularly in sensitive areas or for individuals with a tendency to bruise easily.
- Corneal ectasia, a condition in which the cornea is too thin and weak, is one of the more serious complications. The thin cornea tissue is unable to maintain its shape, which can lead to cornea bulging and worsening vision. A corneal implant (Keratoplasty) may be an option.
- Alterations in skin pigmentation, such as darkening or lightening, can occur after laser treatments. This is more common in individuals with darker skin tones.
- Although rare, laser surgery carries a risk of scarring. The risk may be higher in individuals with a history of keloid formation or poor wound healing.
- Any LASIK procedure carries a risk of infection. It’s crucial to follow post-operative care instructions to minimize this risk.
- LASIK can sometimes result in overcorrection or undercorrection, both of which can leave the patient with residual vision problems. Additional sessions are often needed to correct the aberration.
- An allergic reaction to topical anesthetics or other substances used during the laser procedure.
- Inflammation under the LASIK flap is called diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). This occurs when white blood cells leak under the flap. This condition is usually alleviated with anti-inflammatory drops.
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What is the process for correcting laser surgery errors?
Dr. Assil approaches each patient’s retreatment in a logical, progressive fashion. This way he homes in on the root of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms.
One of our eye doctors first measures for any uncorrected eyeglass prescription. If that gets the eye to crisp vision, they re-treat the area to address that remaining power deficit. The LASIK enhancement procedure is similar to the original LASIK surgery. It involves using an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue or adjust the corneal flap created during the initial surgery. The specific approach depends on the nature of the vision issue that needs correction.
Our doctor also takes into account the time duration since the prior laser treatment, and your healing pattern (when examined by a Slit Lamp microscope). This determines if the enhancement should be performed as a LASIK or PRK procedure. LASIK creates a thin flap in the cornea while PRK removes the outer layer of the cornea (which grows back over time).
If the patient exhibits blurred vision after LASIK surgery and the blur is not due to a remaining eye glass prescription, there are many other possible causes to evaluate. Technologies referred to as corneal topography (measuring corneal shape) using guided ablation and Wavefront Aberrometry, measuring more subtle distortions in light ray focusing can help to uncover the source of blur – often termed as Irregular Astigmatism (differential focusing by adjacent areas of the cornea). When detected, such abnormalities can often be remedied by doing a wavefront treatment to evenly smooth out the shape of the cornea.
In addition, a complete eye examination should always be performed to ensure that there are no secondary causes of visual blur, such as cataracts or retinal abnormalities.
Why trust AGEI with your refractive lens corrective surgery?
With 30 years of experience assisting patients with eye health, Dr. Assil is one of the most experienced cataract surgeons in the United States. He has performed over 70,000 eye surgeries and authored over 100 textbook chapters and articles on refractive and cataract surgery.
Assil Gaur Eye Institute has assembled a team of top ophthalmologists from around the country who offer their patients the highest quality of specialist eye care in the United States. In keeping with the founding principles of AGEI, eye surgeons keep their clinics comfortable and familiar, much like how family-run medical practices used to be.
In addition to refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery, the ophthalmology experts at AGEI are nationally recognized for their eye care and treatment options for a full range of conditions, including eye conditions such as hyperopia glaucoma, retinal detachment (and other diseases of the retina), cornea conditions, contact lens, floaters and flashes, dry eye, presbyopia, astigmatism (using a toric lens), farsightedness, myopia, nearsightedness, and other vision correction procedures (refractive surgery) such as LASIK surgery, PRK, and many more laser procedures.
Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric health care, commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and dedication to supporting its patients’ and the community’s health and well-being. Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.
We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
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