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Photo-refractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK Eye Surgery)
Risks and Complications of Laser Eye Surgery
Laser Eye Surgery, Adelaide Lasik Eye Surgery
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)has been the most commonly used laser eye surgery technique for the past 14 years. This technique involves pushing aside the outermost layer of the cornea (the epithelium) in the area where the underlying cornea is to be treated with the laser. The excimer laser is then applied to the cornea to ‘shave’ a minute amount of tissue from the surface. The actual laser treatment lasts for usually around a minute. The entire procedure is carried under anesthesia drops placed onto the eye immediately before the procedure. After the procedure, the healing process commences immediately, and the layer that is pushed aside initially, begins to regenerate and is usually healed within 48 hours. Most patients find that they are able to achieve useful vision within a week after this type of laser eye surgery.
 
Laser assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK Eye Surgery)
Lasik eye surgery (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is a newer equally effective technique in laser vision correction that has been used for around the past 5 years. Using a motorized device called a micro-keratome, an extremely thin flap is created from the cornea. The micro-keratome itself is used as the precision and thickness of the flap that is being created is impossible to achieve by hand. The flap is then folded back, and the excimer laser applied to the underlying corneal tissue. The flap is then returned to its original position over the top of the newly treated cornea. No stitches are required to hold the flap in place as flap adheres back into place within 2-3 minutes. Most patients find that they are able to achieve useful vision 1-2 days after this type of laser eye surgery.
 
Risks and Complications of Laser Eye Surgery
Now that you have an understanding of how laser eye surgery is able to reduce or eliminate your dependency on your glasses or contact lenses, it’s also important to understand the possible risks and complications that are associated with laser eye surgery. All types of surgery carry the risk of complication and both PRK and LASIK Eye Surgery are no exception.
Overcorrection and Undercorrection
This is the most common complication. In the few patients that this occurs in, undercorrection tends to be more common. This may be corrected with further laser eye surgery known as an ‘enhancement’. Enhancements are usually carried once the healing response to the initial procedure has stabilised.
Glare and Haloes
A small number of patients experience glare and haloes around bright lights in darker conditions, for example, oncoming headlights driving at night time. These may be permanent.. However, a majority of patients do not find them a serious issue unless questioned about their occurrence and frequency.
Regression
This complication refers to the tendency of the eye to return towards the original refraction after laser eye surgery. Mild regression may require the use of corrective lenses, glasses or contact lenses for specific activities such as driving at night time. Most forms of regression post laser eye surgery can also be treated with enhancements.
Corneal Haze
The healing response results in some haze on the front of the eye in almost all patients, but is only visible to the surgeon under a mircoscope. It is usually gone by 6 months after the procedure and very rarely affects vision.
Flap complications (LASIK Eye Surgery)
Complications involving the flap during a LASIK Eye Surgery procedure are exceptionally rare, but are a possible complication. During the fashioning, manipulating or repositioning the flap, there are a number of complications that may occur. Again, these complications are exceptionally rare, but possible nevertheless.
Ocular tenderness / Recurrent Erosion (PRK)
The new layer of epithelium cells in PRK take a number of weeks to completely seal to the tissue beneath. Until this occurs, it may cause minor irritation that is usually only noticed by patients when questioned about it. Breaks in the new epithelium layer may also recur, but can be treated and settles with time.
Infection
As with any surgical procedure, infections can be introduced into exposed tissue. These are exceedingly rare in laser eye surgery, and such infections are treatable if they should arise. All steps are taken to ensure the procedure is sterile from start to finish.
This is not an exhaustive list of complications, but does cover a majority of complications that occur worldwide in association with laser eye surgery. At the time of your assessment, your surgeon will explain all possible risks and complications associated with laser eye surgery in greater detail.
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