Laser Eye Surgery Risks - Possible Side Effects

Laser Eye Surgery is performed worldwide millions of times every year. Technological advancements along with improved practice and approach to procedures have resulted in the risk of Laser Eye Treatment to your vision being minimal.

Many of the complications and risks associated with Laser Eye surgery can be treated by an optician or surgeon, with a large majority of reported problems resolving themselves over time.

The most common risks associated with Laser Eye Surgery include:

Infection: There is an extremely low chance of becoming infected following Laser eye surgery. If a patient does suffer with an infection it generally causes discomfort and a delay in the natural healing process following surgery.

Under correction/Overcorrection: Everyone is different and will therefore respond differently to Laser Eye Surgery. An individual who is not pleased with the result of the surgery can opt for additional procedures to keep improving vision.

Decrease in Best-corrected vision: Some patients have suffered from a decrease in vision quality when wearing corrective lenses following Laser Eye Surgery. This can be as a result of corneal haze or irregular tissue removal.

Excessive Corneal Haze: Corneal Haze occurs as part of the natural healing process following Laser Eye Surgery. In a majority of cases the haze clears over time but in some very isolated cases the haze is excessive and interferes with vision, in these cases it is often remedied with additional laser eye surgery.

Regression: This is where the corrective treatments effects wear off over time. It is often necessary to have additional Eye Surgery if this is the case.

Halo Effect: This is once again extremely rare. It occurs when the pupil enlarges and the untreated cornea produces a second faded image.

Discomfort following surgery: This very much down to the individual patient. LASEK surgery generally leaves patients with slightly more discomfort then LASIK surgery.

Reaction to the anaesthetic: This is based on the individual patient and is extremely rare

Dry eyes: This is one of the most common symptoms suffered post Laser Eye surgery. A full consultation from a fully qualified surgeon will help assess how dry your eyes are naturally and then a suitable treatment and post surgery healing process can be advised.

Eye lid droop: This is extremely rare and usually corrects itself over time

Irregular astigmatism: Very similar condition to the Halo effect above where in dim light fading often appears around images. This can usually be treated via additional surgery.

Please note that the Laser Eye Surgery risks detailed above can apply to both LASEK and LASIK Eye Surgery.

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