Read before you have eye surgery
Eye surgery complications
Dr. Merle Piik, ophthalmologist at Pupilo, writes about the risks and complications of eye surgery that everyone should be aware of.
It is believed that today's eye surgeries are safe because they are quick, easy and painless. Although LASIK is generally considered to be safe and effective, like any surgical procedure, it carries some risks. Here are some of the potential risks of LASIK:
- Dry eyes: Eye surgery involves cutting the nerves in the cornea of the eye, so it is common for patients to experience dry eye syndrome after LASIK surgery, which can cause discomfort, blurred vision and increase the risk of infection. In some cases, dry eye can persist for months or even years after surgery.
- Undercorrection or overcorrection: LASIK surgery aims to improve vision, but in some cases the procedure can cause undercorrection or overcorrection for refractive error. This can cause blurred vision, double vision or other visual disturbances.
- Infection. Although infections are rare, they can lead to serious vision problems if not treated in time.
- Night vision problems: some patients may experience night vision difficulties after LASIK surgery, including halos, ghosting circles or stars around lights. These symptoms may improve over time with additional treatments, but in some cases may be persistent.
It's important to note that the risks of LASIK can vary depending on factors such as age, medical condition and the specific details of the procedure. Before undergoing LASIK surgery, it is important to consult an experienced ophthalmologist who can assess your individual risks and help you make an informed decision.
Before making a decision on the patient's side, he or she should know that there are certain cases in which ophthalmic surgery is necessary. Such interventions are carried out in the following cases:
- Professional need for the best possible vision (military, professional athlete, actor, etc.);
- Severe difference in refractive error (different degrees of myopia in the right and left eye) that cannot be corrected with glasses: no eye should have glasses/lenses with a difference of more than 2.5 dioptres.
Particular caution should be exercised with regard to eye surgery during childhood. The child is not yet capable of making the right decision for him/herself and instead adults should assess all the potential risks of such an intervention.
Although this operation has many fans, it has many contraindications:
- Eye pathologies (cataract, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, etc.);
- progressive myopia; various diseases (diabetes, herpes, neurodermatitis, thyroid problems, etc.).
Patients wishing to improve their vision are allowed to do so if there are no direct contra-indications to surgical interventions.
