Questions About Lasik Eye Surgery Complications

Sandra asks…

Questions about Lasik eye surgery...?

Hi, I am going to study abroad in Japan from the 31st of march till the beginning of august and right now - I have the opportunity to have Lasik eye surgery (I'm in Australia). My eyes are pretty bad but my surgeon (well respected, practicing for more than 20 years) has assured me that they are still doable. He said after the initial treatment, the follow up consultation the next day and the 4 week consultation after that - I will be fine for travel.

My family however have scared me saying what if complications arise while I'm in japan. There is around 7 weeks from the time I have the surgery, to the time I leave - is that enough time to deal with (if there are) any complications? How long after Lasik surgery do complications usually arise?

Is it easy enough to find help if I need it for my eyes while I'm away?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

admin answers:

You should be fine after that 4 wk appointment. The most common side effects post-Lasik are dry eyes and glare at night. Your doctor should talk to you about addressing both of these problems in your pre- or post-op care. If there are other side effects you'll know within days to weeks. Because you are traveling to a developed nation, you should have care available to you. Have fun abroad!

Laura asks…

Is LASIK eye surgery really safe?

Hello, Just a couple questions. I was reading about the difference between LASIK and PRK and it seems like PRK may be a safer procedure. I am concerned about the risks of Laser eye surgery (such as complications later in life, the cornea flap from the LASIK never healing, dry eyes, loss in visual quality. etc)
and I was wondering which procedure is better to undergo, LASIK or PRK? Also potential blindness is mentioned, risks etc.. Are these likely? PRK seems safer to me (from what I've read..) Can you clear this up? Thank you!
p.s. I know a consultation would help me get info, but I wanted to ask here first! :)

admin answers:

Well first of all its extremely important to have the right doctor who knows what he/she is doing.. My mom had lasik eye surgery about 6 years ago and it was proven to be successful. Her eyes fully healed, she had no complications, and the visual quality of her eyes have not worsen over the years. Although, she did have dry eyes for the first 2 years and she had used eye liquid drops. But now her eyes aren't that dry anymore

Heres a good website that compares Lasik and prk:

http://www.prk.com/LASIKvsPRK.html

Maria asks…

lasik eye surgery good or no?

Im thinking of having eye lasik surgery. I personally have astigmatism and know the risks etc.. but mainly want to ask people what complications they had or none and do they think it was worthwhile and worth the money or not.. Dry irritated eyes post op seem to be a bg lasting side effect.. Many people have this?

admin answers:

It works great at least for me find a qualitfied surgeon and yes the eyes in the beginning need to be lubrificated regularly but now its only from time to time but wow now I can see and dam that is so much fun!

Mary asks…

Lasik eye surgery question?

I'm a 19 year old male and I have poor eye sight. Usually I wear contacts, but as some of you know they are pretty expensive. My dad really wants me to get lasik eye surgery, especially since I'm about to get kicked off my parents' insurance plan. I have some questions:
1. Does it hurt?
2. What are the chances of complications during surgery?
3. What are the chances of me going blind?
Thanks, I'm really nervous about this operation...half of me wants to do it, the other half doesn't.

admin answers:

I'm about to get it done. I asked those questions too so I'll share what they told me - but really I suggest you make an appointment because the appointment is free and you can ask them everything you need to know. Also, during the appointment, they will make sure to see whether you are a good candidate or not. If there seems to be a lot of risk, they will tell you that you do not qualify.

1. No. Plus you are given valium to calm you beforehand (and also relax your body), and antibiotic drops to keep your eyes clean and free of infection afterwards.
2. The prescreenings are supposed to detect any chances of complications beforehand, but the actual surgery is about a minute so they tell me.
3. When you have poor eyesight, it is often because the shape of your eye is not perfectly round, so that the lens of your eye doesn't properly reach the back of you eye (which "records" sight). The surgery reshapes the lens, not the back of the eye
HOWEVER, I'm not the one with the doctor's degree so I would say, go get a free consultation because you can ask them everything you want and you'll feel a lot less nervous about it afterwards. Goodluck!

Sharon asks…

I have been thinking about getting lasik eye surgery,but I am a little scared.?

Afraid that if I do yrs later there will be some talk on the news about how lasik surgery has been proven to be harmful.For those of you who had it done would you share your exsperience with me.Have there been any complications? Are you satisfied? I am so tired of wearing glasses and contacts seem so complicated.

admin answers:

Yes, complications do occur, in a percentage of cases, from the minor to the very serious.

About 96% of people, even if they do have some side effects would still recommend the procedure to a friend.

(Most common side effects:
Rx not as near zero as hoped for.
Dry eyes, temporarily or permanently.
Haloes and glare at night, temporarily or permanently.)

The essential thing about contact lens wear is that the Rx can be changed if the eyes do, and that if there are any problems the lenses can be changed or discontinued.
To my mind that flexibility is worth a little inconvenience, but that is a personal decision.
Opting for laser treatment, certain risks have to be taken on board as possible lasting effects. Hence the consent from that is to be talked through and agreed to. (sample below, along with the FDA Lasik site.)

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