Tuesday, November 5, 2013
What are the risks?
Complications occur in less than 5% of cases, but check with your consultant that he has outlined all the risks.
Some people have a problem with dry eyes in the months after surgery. Artificial tear supplements might be needed in the long term. Many patients have experienced glare or halo effects when driving at night, particularly just after treatment. This is more likely if a high correction has been made (correcting a high degree of long- or short-sightedness), but is rarely severe.
In rare cases, too much thinning of the eye wall can make the shape of the eye unstable after treatment. Severe loss of vision is very unusual, but some patients may need corneal surgery or hard contact lenses to restore their vision. Find out how frequently your surgeon has had complications, and why.
You can find more information about the risks associated with having laser eye surgery in the Patient’s Guide to Excimer Laser Refractive Surgery, published by The Royal College of Opthamologists (RCO). You can also find information about the risks involved in the appropriate NICE guidance.
Some people have a problem with dry eyes in the months after surgery. Artificial tear supplements might be needed in the long term. Many patients have experienced glare or halo effects when driving at night, particularly just after treatment. This is more likely if a high correction has been made (correcting a high degree of long- or short-sightedness), but is rarely severe.
In rare cases, too much thinning of the eye wall can make the shape of the eye unstable after treatment. Severe loss of vision is very unusual, but some patients may need corneal surgery or hard contact lenses to restore their vision. Find out how frequently your surgeon has had complications, and why.
You can find more information about the risks associated with having laser eye surgery in the Patient’s Guide to Excimer Laser Refractive Surgery, published by The Royal College of Opthamologists (RCO). You can also find information about the risks involved in the appropriate NICE guidance.
