| Generally surgery may be performed on both
eyes on the same day. This can be discussed further with our
clinical staff.
Recovery guidelines for LASIK
- The rate of visual recovery varies for each individual.
Initially vision may be blurred for a few days with steady
improvement over a few weeks to months.
- You should be able to return to most activities within 2
to 5 days with stable vision being restored between 1 to 3
months.
- Results can vary according to the severity of the refractive
error corrected. They are best explained together with the
alternatives and possible complications during the pre-operative
assessment.
- Patients 40 years or over may still require reading glasses
as would normally be the case at that age (see presbyopia).
- It is necessary to return to the Adelaide Eye & Laser
Centre the day following surgery for a post-operative consultation
and then again between 1 and 4 weeks after the initial surgery
as directed by the surgeon.
A thorough visual examination will be needed between 3 and
4 months to assess the final result. These consultations are
important, and failure to attend may jeopardise results.
Possible Complications
and Side Effects
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with
the LASIK procedure. Fortunately, as technology has improved
along with surgical skills and techniques, the possible complications
associated with laser vision correction have been greatly reduced.
- The most common complications arise from the creation of
the corneal flap. An incomplete flap can result in a deferral
of the procedure for a period of 4-6 months before re-continuing
and occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 procedures.
- The corneal flap must be repositioned carefully after the
laser is applied and should the flap slip, folds will result
in a reduction of vision. The incidence of flap slippage is
1 in 1000 and immediate repositioning results in excellent
outcomes.
- Epithelial Ingrowth is rare and occurs in 1 in 2000 cases
when these cells grow and multiply under the flap. The most
common way to treat this is to lift the flap, remove the bothersome
cells and reposition the flap.
- Rates of infection after LASIK vary between 1 in 5000 to
1 in 20,000 cases depending on the country at question. At
the Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre there have been no cases
of severe infection over the last 12 years and 7,000 procedures.
- Occasionally your eye will overreact to the procedure resulting
in inflammation. Clinically bothersome inflammation is rare
occurring in 1 in 2000 cases. Treatment allows rapid resolution.
- An important complication after LASIK is the development
of an unstable cornea (keratoectasia). When there is insufficient
corneal tissue to maintain the new shape then the cornea may
progressively steepen allowing myopia and astigmatism to recur.
A number of risk factors for this complication are assessed
pre-operatively. When present, LASIK is not a safe option
and alternative measures are considered. Despite the absence
of these risk factors keratoectasia may rarely develop. The
rate is about 1:10,000 or lower. Currently there is no treatment
for this problem other than glasses or contact lenses.”
The most important thing to remember is to attend all of your
post-operative consultations so that we are able to monitor
your recovery closely and also to strictly adhere to all post-operative
guidelines, minimising the possibility of post-operative complications.
Of paramount importance is a comprehensive pre-operative assessment
to determine your suitability to laser surgery and possible
risks associated with your specific case so that you are well
educated and can make a well-informed decision regarding laser
vision correction for your eyes.
Our Clinical Adviser would be happy to discuss any further
questions you may have or to arrange a pre-operative assessment
for you to see the clinical optometrist and surgeon.
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