Laser Eye Surgery - The Risks and Dangers

All forms of surgery carry inherent risks. The nature of laser eye surgery means that the fear of unforeseen complications can be immense as if problems do arise then the damage may be irreversible. People considering laser eye surgery are often particularly afraid they may lose their sight. So how risky is laser eye surgery, and what are the complications that can arise?

Although the risk is very small ? less than 5 percent - the corneal flap can become detached from the eye during the procedure. In some instances the surgeon may be able to reattach it, although in a small number of cases this is not possible and there is permanent sight damage.

Post operatively, patients have between a 5 and 10 percent chance, (depending on the type of laser eye treatment used), of developing an infection under the corneal flap where the incision was made for surgery. In most instances this does not cause lasting damage but it can slow down the healing process. Another rare complication is corneal ectasia, where ?bulging? is caused by a build up of pressure against the weakened cornea. The condition can be cured by a highly skilled surgeon through a corneal transplant. If left untreated the vision may become progressively worse.

There are several risks which are considered ?normal? by laser eye practitioners, and should not cause undue concern as the effects should not be permanent. The eyes may remain sensitive for several months which means, if surgery did not result in 20/20 vision and the use of contact lenses is still a necessity, that the eyes can become very uncomfortable. Dry eyes are also a common side effect and patients often require drops for six months to lubricate the eyes.

Night vision can be impaired by laser eye surgery, which can make driving at night inadvisable. Seeing a ?halo? effect around lights is also an associated risk of the procedure, and can also make driving after dark potentially dangerous. Both of these problems can be temporary, lasting between 6 and 12 months, but unfortunately this is not the case for all patients.

To reduce the risk of complications, spend time researching reputable clinics and doctors. While there are many qualified and highly skilled practitioners there are also many doctors who lack proper training and experience in laser eye treatment. Any doctor can carry out the surgery after just one weeks training, and there is no specialist qualification required to perform laser eye surgery. Success rates can vary significantly between vision clinics. Always ask plenty questions to ascertain the level of skill of the surgeon, such as his qualifications and number of surgeries performed. It is also prudent to check if the equipment at the clinic is FDA approved, as not all clinics will be using the latest (and potentially safest) equipment.

To diminish the risks of laser eye surgery further still, opt to have just one eye operated on at a time. If the first operation presents no problem and the results are favorable a second operation can be booked to correct vision in the other eye.

Leanne has had several articles published on laser eye treatment, including laser eye surgery cost. www.lasereyesurgery.about-beauty.net