What do you think about advantages and disadvantages of an eye surgery?

Question

What do you think about advantages and disadvantages of an eye surgery?

Answer 1

Benefits and Risks of Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is performed by highly trained specialists, and in most cases, the results are satisfactory. Some patients feel their lives are vastly improved when their dependence on prescription glasses or contact lenses is reduced or eliminated. However, laser eye surgery also poses certain risks.

With PRK, the risks include:

pain, ranging from moderate to severe, for the first few days;

hazy vision during the healing process, which usually clears up within the first week after surgery; and

regression, which in some cases can cause the eye to regress to its previous refractive error within about six months. If this happens, the patient may need a second operation (called an “enhancement”) or may need to start wearing glasses or contacts again.

With LASIK, there is less post-operative pain. However, since this procedure involves cutting into the cornea, there is a greater risk of complications, including the following:

dry eyes, which can range from mild to significant and can affect vision;

poor quality of night vision due to halos and glare, which could affect your ability to drive at night; and

a serious condition called corneal ectasia, which is a weakening and bulging of the cornea. Severe cases may need to be treated with a corneal transplant or implant.

A serious complication that may occur with both PRK and LASIK is corneal infection (infectious keratitis), which may result in significant loss of vision.

The more recent LASEK surgery shares some of the problems associated with both PRK (pain, haze and regression) and LASIK. However, the LASEK procedure reduces the risk of some of the complications associated with cutting a flap in the cornea, such as weakening of the eye and dry eyes.

The risks of laser eye surgery go up significantly for people with certain conditions or lifestyles. When weighing the risks, you should have a detailed talk with the surgeon about the following:

your medical condition (including family history) - especially regarding such conditions as lupus, diabetes and keloid formation, as well as any eye diseases (e.g., herpes simplex, glaucoma, dry eyes, eyelid infections or previous eye surgery);

whether or not you play sports where you are likely to be hit in the face - after LASIK, there is a risk for years that the flap could dislocate; and

your career plans - some occupations (e.g., police officer, pilot) have specific vision requirements that can be achieved with laser eye surgery. Still, it is a good idea to discuss your plans for surgery with current or future employers, as well as your surgeon, to make sure your plans do not affect your prospects for employment.

This article cannot cover potential risks for every conceivable situation. If you are considering laser eye surgery, you must have a thorough talk with your eye surgeon about your options and your individual suitability for different types of procedures. Keep in mind that the long-term effects of laser eye surgery are still unknown.

Other Considerations

It is important to have realistic expectations. If you are over the age of 40, you will probably need reading glasses after laser eye surgery. Also, your eyes will continue to change as you grow older, and you may need prescription glasses or contacts again at some point. There is also a chance that you may need a second surgery if you do not get the right amount of correction the first time.

Cost is also a factor, as most health insurance plans do not cover laser eye surgery for vision correction.

Minimizing Your Risk

Health Canada advises you are more likely to have a successful outcome with laser eye surgery if you:

Choose your eye surgeon carefully. The traditional approach is to get a referral from your own eye care professional.

Discuss the risks, benefits and your expectations with the surgeon. Read the “informed consent” form thoroughly. Ask questions. Make sure you are a suitable candidate for surgery before you decide to go ahead.

Also, ask your surgeon for a copy of your pre-operative report, which should include information about your pre-operative vision, refraction readings and the shape of your cornea. Keep the report in a safe place for future reference.

After surgery, you can reduce your risk of complications by participating fully in the follow-up care recommended by your eye surgeon.

Health Canada's Role

Health Canada regulates the safety, effectiveness and quality of medical devices imported and sold in Canada, including devices used in laser eye surgery. This is achieved through a combination of a pre-market review prior to licensing, and post-market surveillance of adverse events after licensing. As part of this work, Health Canada monitors complaints about medical devices sold in Canada, and communicates safety information about medical devices to health care professionals and the public.

Answer 2

I would think   2 or 3 times before having corrective laser eye surg. they are getting some unfavorable reports now from people that has had it..I would ck it out before agreeing to have it..once you lose your site thats it..........