Though it is the most prevalent of laser eye surgeries, LASIK has its
share of complications. The post-operative complication rate is
estimated from 3% to 6%. LASIK eye surgery involves cutting a flap of
the corneal tissue with a hinge being left at one end of the flap. The
flap is then folded back to reveal the stroma, the middle section of
the cornea. After reshaping the corneal tissue with the aid of a high
precision laser, typically the excimer laser, the flap is repositioned
so as to remain in place by natural adhesion until it heals
completely.
The LASIK procedure entails certain flap complications. Among the
post-operative flap complications, a slipped flap is one of the most
common. The corneal flap created during the operation may
inadvertently detach from the rest of the cornea. It is imperative
that the patient goes home and sleeps after surgery so as to let the
flap heal, since the chances of flap dislocation are the greatest
immediately after the surgery.
Other types of flap complications include folds in flaps and undesired
epithelial in-growth. Post-operative folds in flap typically
necessitate repositioning of the flap. Flap related problems are
relatively common when it comes to LASIK complications. But they
rarely lead to a permanent visual acuity loss. Moreover, the
occurrence of flap complications decreases with increased surgeon
experience. An expert LASIK surgeon, wielding superlative equipment,
is far less likely to commit an error during the surgery.
Since LASIK entails the removal of a part of the corneal tissue, the
cornea becomes thinner as a result of the procedure. Myopic shifts at
extreme altitudes have been attributable to this thinning of the
corneal surface. LASIK technology has advanced in leaps and bounds,
with much advanced and risk free procedures available today. Owing to
this, the chances of flap complications are rather minuscule.
Moreover, there isn’t a large body of conclusive evidence so as to
assert the chances of any long-term flap complications due to LASIK.
In summary, LASIK is a viable and safe procedure when it comes to
correcting a variety of refractive errors. Furthermore, whatever small
flap complications may arise can be rectified with ease.
Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident about will be able to
give you more information about the risks of laser eye surgery.
The LASIK Surgeons Directory – find a LASIK surgery. Nicola Kennedy
publishes articles and reports and provides news and views about risks
of laser eye surgery at Your Lasik Information.
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