What are the
most common complications of refractive surgery?
There are complications that
can occur while the eye is healing from refractive
surgery, the following lists the most common, but not all, possible
complications. It is important to remember that refractive surgery is
more a six-month process than a 20-Minute Miracle. During that six
months treatment may include medications or even an additional surgery
(enhancement). The odds of any of these complications becoming
permanent are small, but can occur.
- Over/undercorrection
- Visual
acuity fluctuation
- Halo
around light sources
- Starburst
from light sources
- Glare
sensitivity
- Light
sensitivity
- Blurry
vision
- Hazy
vision
|
- Ghosts/double
vision
- Dry
eyes
- Dislocation
of protective flap
- Debris/growth
under flap
- Infection
- Induced
astigmatism
- Inflammation
|
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Will my
vision fluctuate after refractive surgery?
Changes will occur in
two different phases.
During recovery period
of 1-3 months, your vision may change dramatically. Glare, arc,
starburst, and halo problems rapidly
dissipate. In LASIK, wrinkles in the flap smooth out, reducing or
eliminating ghost images. After your eye has recovered from surgery,
you can expect your vision to change at about the same rate it did
before refractive surgery.
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Can
refractive surgery correct my astigmatism?
The LadarVision system
can correct most astigmatism. Discuss in detail with Dr. Wolin the
amount of astigmatism you have and how it may be accommodated with
refractive surgery.
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When can I
get back to work after refractive surgery?
This will depend on the
type of refractive surgery, the amount of refractive change, what
complications are present after surgery (if any), and the type of work
you do.
Many refractive surgery
patients are back to work the next day.
Dr. Wolin will not want you to perform any strenuous work or work that
might cause injury to your eye. It is very important that the eye is
protected from being hit, poked, or rubbed. Everyone's individual
situation needs to be evaluated based upon the probability of contact
with the eye.
Because of possible
fluctuation in your vision immediately post-operative you should avoid
long periods that would require detailed use of your eyes.
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Will
refractive surgery hurt?
You are likely to
experience more discomfort from the anxiety and stress of anticipating
eye surgery than pain from the surgery itself.
Before the surgery, an
anesthetic drop is applied to the eye and a Valium is administered to
calm your nerves. You are awake and aware, but you
should feel nothing of the surgery.
After surgery the most
common complaint is a scratchy feeling or the feeling that something
is in the eye for the first day. It is unusual to experience severe pain from refractive
surgery. If you do, contact Dr. Wolin immediately.
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I have dry
eyes, is this a problem for refractive surgery candidates?
Dry eyes may not
exclude you from refractive surgery, but it is a condition that you
should report to Dr. Wolin. Dry eyes needs to be treated and
resolved before refractive surgery.
It is common to
experience dry eyes after LASIK. The frequent use of non-preservative
therapeutic eye drops will be prescribed. It is possible that punctal
plugs will be used to maintain tears on the eyes.
Be sure to discuss any
dry eye problems (before or after surgery) with Dr. Wolin.
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Can I still
scuba dive or hike to high altitudes after refractive surgery?
Many recipients of
LASIK continue to participate in extreme sports without difficulty. If
you intend to participate in any extreme, unusual, or strenuous sport,
talk to you doctor about how it may affect your particular situation.
Also, talk to others who are familiar with the sport. Chances are they
know of someone who already has experience with your activity and has
had refractive surgery.
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Is refractive
surgery permanent?
All laser surgeries
permanently change the shape of the cornea. Despite the permanence of
the changes from surgery, your eyes will continue to change at the
same rate they did before surgery.
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Is refractive
surgery safe?
There are no
guarantees, however refractive surgery procedures available in the US
have passed extensive scrutiny from public health agencies, medical
professionals, and in the case of surgical devices, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
Procedures that have
been available for some time have the added advantage of extensive
data and improved techniques.
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What are the
long-term consequences of laser refractive surgery?
The FDA first approved
the excimer laser for patients with mild to moderate myopia in October
1995. Even with the information from overseas and studies during the
FDA clinical trials, there is little long-term data on laser
refractive surgery.
In the short term,
significant problems directly related to laser eye surgery have not
appeared, however a small percentage of refractive surgery patients
experience unwanted and even debilitating complications. This is
surgery and there are no guarantees.
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Can I get a
pilot's license if I have refractive surgery?
Yes. You will need to
have your refractive surgeon complete some FAA forms and meet certain
FAA vision requirements. If you fly commercially or plan to fly in the
military, you should get a clearance from your employer or commanding
officer, in writing, before surgery.
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