LASIK Surgery Awareness: Risks, Benefits and Side effects

Struggling with spectacles and all the discomfort they bring with them? Wondering if there is a better route to better eyesight for someone you care about? If you have been looking for options, then LASIK surgery must be something you have considered. Even though LASIK surgery is a decades old procedure and has been available in Hyderabad for many years, there are continuous innovations that are taking place to make sure the surgery is safer and still relevant in today’s times.

This article covers a quick brief about what LASIK surgery is and details the risks, side effects and benefits that one should consider when assessing LASIK surgery.

What is LASIK surgery?

 LASIK surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses Laser technology to correct near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism.

While there are many benefits to LASIK surgery, there are also some risks and side effects. Like all major decisions, it is important to know these before undergoing the procedure. Before we jump in, let us also understand what the difference between risks and side effects of a surgery are. Risks are complications that could arise as a result of the surgery that might need further, separate treatment.

Side effects however, are issues that pop up after surgery, that are usually temporary and should subside on their own with minimal or no further treatment.

Risks in LASIK surgery:

• Eye Infection : As with any surgery, there is always a risk of eye infections post surgery.
• Astigmatism caused by poor technique: If the laser is focused poorly or unevenly during surgery, there is a risk that the surface of the cornea could end up unequally curved. This could result in what is known as “ghost images” or double vision.
• Errors with Corneal Flap: Sometimes, cells from the outer layer of the cornea end growing under the flap after surgery. This is usually self limiting but could lead to a few vision problems in some cases.
• Vision loss or impairment: In very rare cases, the surgery could negatively impact vision and lead to complete loss or worse vision than before. This can happen especially when the technique is faulty.
• Vision Regression: Again, a very rare risk. There are times when a patient might have better vision for a while but find that their eyesight starts regressing to previous levels after a while.

Side Effects of LASIK surgery:

• Dry Eyes: Dry eyes are a common side effect of LASIK surgery that usually get better in some time. In the rare even that it lasts longer, the patient will need to carry eye drops with them that help with the dryness.

• Halos, Glares and Double Vision: Some slight disturbances in vision are a common side effect that subside on their own in a few weeks.

• Light Sensitivity: This is another side effect that is felt immediately post surgery. However, as patient wears dark glasses while the eye heals, this sensitivity disappears.

• Itchy Eyes: This goes hand in hand with the dry eyes and will eventually cease.
• Slight Discomfort and Pain: Finally, as with all surgery, there will be some discomfort and pain that will eventually fade.

Benefits:

• Improved Vision: In 95% of cases, patients experience improved vision.
• Almost Painless: The procedure itself is almost painless
• Immediate Results: Vision correction is immediate in almost 85% of patients.
• No Stitches needed: Being an advanced surgery, no stitches are needed and therefore recovery is quicker.
• Cost Saving in the long run: While the procedure itself is expensive, there are significant savings in terms of cost of glasses, contact lenses etc.
• Improved Self Confidence: Finally, without the glasses, a lot of patients report feeling improved levels of self confidence and feeling better about their looks.

As with all surgical procedures, LASIK surgery carries with it a certain element of risk too. However, these risks too can be mitigated to a large extent by taking care of a few vital factors. Firstly, one needs to research the credentials of the potential surgeon and their experience. Also, doing some research about the best places for LASIK surgery and making sure the facilities are well equipped with the latest technology will help too.