LASIK Risks During Surgery

LASIK risks during surgery occur at a relatively small rate, between 3 to 5 percent of all cases; however, it is important to be aware of all of the LASIK risks which may occur during this procedure when considering this surgery. The rate of risk has steadily been decreasing since the late 1990's, with more experienced surgeons and further advances in LASIK technology greatly improving the outcomes of this procedure.

General confidence has also increased due to the high success rate of this procedure as reported by the US military, which has been using this surgery favorably since the year 2000 to reduce the need for cumbersome glasses and contact lenses. Of the more than 16,000 military personnel who have undergone LASIK surgery, the number of LASIK risks during surgery were small, with studies revealing that 86% achieved vision of 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses, and 98% achieving vision of 20/40 or better without glasses or contact lenses.

The February 2005 issue of Ophthalmology also stated that the side effects associated with the patients in this study were infrequent. Most risks associated with this surgery can be corrected, and the LASIK surgery procedure is considered to be one of the safest eye surgeries. And on a final note, one may consider the fact that the rate of severe complications for contact lens wearers is 3% as well, with complications such as corneal abrasions, papillary conjuctivitis, and more often requiring surgery to treat. For more information regarding LASIK risks during surgery, please see the list below:

Over correction/Under Correction

LASIK surgery can only correct and re-shape the cornea to a certain degree, even with the most advanced technology and experienced surgeons that are available today; although oftentimes this is sufficient for the majority of patients, there will be a certain number of cases in which over correction or under correction results. In these instances these patients are usually required to wear a weaker prescription of glasses or contact lenses after the surgery.

Irregular Flap/Flap Wrinkles

During the LASIK surgical procedure, a flap is created to remove an amount of corneal tissue and re-shape the cornea; this flap is closed after the cornea is re-shaped, and adheres naturally after closing. However, if the flap is either not cut correctly, or cut too thin or thick, it may not adhere correctly or smoothly, but instead may wrinkle. Other causes of flap wrinkles include the patient shutting the eye tightly within the first day after surgery. Overall, though, this is a very rare complication, occurring in less than 1 percent of all cases; if there are no additional problems occurring as a result of this wrinkle then this condition is fixed in almost all cases through re-treatment and surgery. However, there are a number of additional problems which may result from a flap wrinkle or irregular flap that require additional types of treatment:

1. Keratoconus - this is a condition which results from a flap that is cut too deeply or when too much tissue is removed form the cornea during LASIK, resulting in a bulging of the eye's surface and a distortion of the patient's vision. Unfortunately, these conditions can not be treated with additional laser enhancement, and rigid contact lenses or implants may be necessary to hold stabilize the cornea.

2. Irregular Astigmatism - this can result from the bumps resulting from a flap wrinkle and the irregular corneal surface it creates. This condition is characterized by double vision, otherwise known as diplopia, and is treated with additional laser surgery.

3. Central corneal islands - this is a condition which results from corneal tissue that is not removed uniformly, resulting in tiny bumps of corneal tissue on the cornea surface. Although this complication usually heals itself within a few months, additional enhancements or contact lenses may be needed to smooth the cornea surface.

4. Halos and starbursts - these affect the patient's night vision since they occur at night when looking at bright lights, and are characterized by blurred images with circles radiating from the center; if untreated they may prevent the patient from driving at night. Although they often heal themselves within two months, glasses or additional surgery may sometimes be required to correct these.

5. Visual Regression - this condition is characterized by visual dimness and loss of visual clarity, and typically heals itself within the first three months of surgery.

Diffuse Lamellar Keratosis

This condition results from any cellular debris which may have been loosened from the LASIK surgical procedure and become embedded underneath the corneal flap, creating inflammation underneath the flap as the cornea reacts to the presence of this foreign debris. Scarring may occur in rare instances, resulting in permanent vision loss if not treated immediately with antibiotics; this condition may also need to be treated with additional surgery to lift the flap and remove the inflamed cells.

Infection/Inflammation

Any surgical orocedure contains the risk of infection and resulting inflammation, and LASIK surgery is no exception. Antibiotic eyedrops are routinely prescribed after all LASIK eye surgeries to prevent infection, and these kill most bacteria which may have entered the system through surgery. If the patient's infection does not respond to antibiotic eyedrops then anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids may be prescribed as well.

Epithelial ingrowth

This is among the rarest of all LASIK risks occurring during surgery, occurring when the corneal epithelium cells begin to multiply uncontrollably underneath the corneal flap to the point where they alter or affect the vision; this is treated with surgery that removes the ingrown cells under the corneal flap. This complication occurs in less than 1 percent of all LASIK surgeries.

Cosmetic Surgery - Improve Your Looks

Cosmetic surgery is referred to one of the specialties of surgery and medicine. It is restricted to enhancing one's appearance with the help of surgery as well medical techniques. One can go for it to maintain one's appearance especially in the old age when skin, face and body start showing signs of aging, enhancing it and also improving some of their body parts. Some of them are discussed below.

Chin and cheek implants

One can change the shape of their chin or cheeks to make them look more appealing. Many people have almost no chin and cheeks which are sunken. To enhance these parts one can go for implants. Small filled bags are inserted inside these parts to give them a fuller and shapely look. These bags are surgically inserted. One cannot make out the difference between a normal chin and one which has undergone this surgery. These surgeries are also known as chin augmentation and cheek augmentation. You do not have to worry about the scars as they are inside the mouth, where they will never be visible.

Cosmetic makeover

A makeover changes the look of one's face completely. People who go in for several operations at the same time to change their appearance go in for a makeover. There are several surgeries which people can undergo. These surgeries are known as corrective surgeries. These surgeries help in changing the look of one's overall face. Many celebrities have undergone corrective lip surgery to change their smile or to enhance some of their facial part.

Liposuction cosmetic surgery

The removal of excess fat is known as liposuction. People who want immediate results can undergo these surgeries. These surgeries help in changing the shape of the body. The contour of the body is redefined to give it an appealing appearance.

Executive mini face lift

This surgery is designed in order to reduce or completely remove the signs of stress and aging. Our facial tissues lose its elasticity and support which makes them sag around the face. Face lift helps to change the contours of the face and regain the fresh and youthful look. It helps in repositioning the facial structures. It gives a pulled up look to the skin.

There are various surgeries that one can undergo to improve their looks. But one must consult their physician before going for these surgeries. These surgeries do not take much time but one has to take a lot of care after the surgery. One cannot go into direct sun. So if you plan to go for these surgeries, be prepared to take care of your skin.

Improve your looks and see how it changes your life. It will improve your confidence levels thereby improve your life.