Laser Eye Surgery Complications
If you have poor eyesight and wear glasses or contact lenses it is tempting to seek a long term solution by opting for laser eye surgery. For as little as £19 per month you can restore your sight and ditch the glasses forever. Sounds great but what are the laser eye surgery complications?
Many friends have had laser eye surgery and not one can name a complication that they were told about.
Refractive surgery is the term used to describe surgical procedures that correct common vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce your dependence on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
LASIK, or “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. It takes 15 mins per eye and can restore sight within 24 hours.
How does it work?
Firstly the surgeon cuts a circular flap in the cornea that is folded back and tissue is removed.For nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired.
So what are the laser eye surgery complications?
Alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision problems. Some experience corneal neuropathic disease which is painful and unrelenting. Many experience dry eyes and sensitivity to evaporation, wind or dry environments that exacerbates classic dry eye also increases the neuralgia. Patients report severe, unremitting, burning pain and photophobia.
Patients then have to apply eye drops daily – which in itself is a problem, as long-term use can raise the risk of chronic eye inflammation. Dry eyes can also lead to serious infections and, ultimately, even loss of vision. Patients also experience Floaters which are black lines or dots that appear in the line of sight. Poor night vision is also reported.
Dr Handley Director of Handley Law stated
“I am concerned that the multi-million-pound industry glosses over some unpleasant, and sometimes serious, side effects and laser eye surgery complications. Many clinics give unsatisfactory advice and fail to point out the risks and complications”.
There is no law preventing any surgeon from operating as an ‘eye expert’ — though the Royal College of Ophthalmologists awards a Certificate of Competence after a surgeon has demonstrated expertise in laser eye surgery. It recommends patients choose a surgeon with a minimum of three months’ formal training in laser eye surgery who performs at least 500 eye laser operations a year.
The risk of complications for individual clinics is unknown as this is an unregulated cosmetic surgery procedure. The adverse effects are distressing and permanent. Laser eye surgery should not be entered into lightly and anyone considering it should investigate laser eye surgery complications and ask the clinic for data on the same.
If you have suffered a laser eye surgery complication then get in touch with Dr Handley at vhandley@handleylaw.co.uk or on Freephone 0800 470 2009 for advice and help with your claim.