how safe is photo-refractive surgery?

Question

Is laser surgery to treat refractive error safe?

Answer 1

Very safe: Rare complications include infection and further scarring. Eye drops help prevent this rare problem.

Answer 2

No: Unless you are a poor candidate (various reasons). If you have a stable low amount of a simple, regular refractive error with a normal thick cornea and a healthy eye plus informed reasonable expectations, then the risk is small.

Answer 3

No: Although every medical procedure carries a degree of risk, the chances of ending up with worse vision than before the procedure is rare. In order to minimize the risks, you should seek out a surgeon who performs a large number of these procedures (thousands) and do not be afraid to ask about his/her results with patients who had a prescription similar to yours.

Answer 4

Why?: What happened during the refractive surgery to require you to still wear prescription lenses? After corneal surgery, it is a little more tricky (and expensive) to find a comfortable-fitting contact lens. You should first find out what surgical options there are to keep you out of contacts.

Answer 5

Constantly changing: The field of refractive surgery is constantly changing and improving. Refractive surgery is now a safe, proven and accurate alternative to glasses and contacts.

Answer 6

Many differences!: This is too complex to answer in this forum, but each surgery works well! for a very complete discussion of this topic, please go to <a href="http://www.2020vision.Com/lasik_vs_icl.Html">icl compared to lasik</a>.

Answer 7

Cornea vs Lens: Refractive surgery by sculpting the cornea to a perfect shape is achieved by the excimer laser (lasik) while correction of refractive error by adding a permanent contact lens(icl) on the natural lens in the eye ( lens augmentation procedure- gulani ac) is done when teh corneal surgery is inappropriate for that case ie. Thin cornea etc.

Answer 8

ICL vs LASIK : Icl surgery is an alternative for young patients who are not good candidates for lasik due to high prescription, thin corneas, mild corneal irregularity, or other issues. Each procedure is safe and postoperative problems are rare.

Answer 9

Ref surgery risks: Risks for refractive surgery range from inadequate to over correction of error to visually debilitating consequences. I believe the best way to avoid these is to seek an expereinced and dedicated surgeon who performs more than one technique so the surgery is customized to your eyes and not limited to their abilities. No " one size fits all".

how safe is photo-refractive surgery?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

Is the refractive surgery a risky thing to do?

Are there any contacts that are good after refractive surgery?

Whats new for refractive surgery?

Tell me about icl vs lasik - refractive surgery?

What are the risks of refractive surgery and how common are they?

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

People also asked

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors