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21 years
What are the risks and disadvantages of Laser eye surgery? I want to do it to remove astigmatism/myopia and to get my eyes straight (they're not 100% straight).
Feb 14, 2015

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
Laser eye surgery is an umbrella term for several eye surgeries used to correct refractive errors (i.e., how your eye focuses light). The most common types of laser eye surgery include LASIK, PRK, LASEK and EpiLASIK.

Sight-threatening complications such as complete or partial loss of vision from LASIK surgery are extremely rare, and many side effects and laser eye surgery complications can be resolved with additional surgery or medical treatment.

Like any other surgery, however, there are potential risks, side effects and limitations you should be fully aware of before electing to undergo the procedure (or any type of procedure, for that matter). Choosing a skilled and experienced LASIK eye surgeon can help reduce these risks and enable you to achieve the best possible results from laser eye surgery.

The first step is to determine if you are a good candidate for vision correction surgery. Your eye doctor will perform an advanced diagnostic eye exam to determine your suitability for LASIK surgery. He or she will evaluate: the shape and thickness of your cornea; pupil size; refractive errors; the moistness of your eyes (to check for dry eye syndrome); general health and medical history; and any medications you are taking.

Even if you are not a good candidate for LASIK, don't worry — you might still be able to have your vision fixed with other vision correction surgery such as PRK, LASEK or implantable lenses.

Some patients experience discomfort in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Other side effects, although rare, may include:
>Glare
>Seeing halos around images
>Difficulty driving at night
>Fluctuating vision
>Dry eyes

In the vast majority of cases, these problems are temporary and disappear completely within three to six months.

long term effects :

>Flap complications,If the LASIK flap is not made correctly, it may fail to adhere properly to the eye's surface or cause microscopic wrinkles in the flap called corneal striae These flap complications can lead to an irregularly shaped eye surface and distorted vision.
flap complications occur in from 0.3 to 5.7 percent of LASIK procedures

>Irregular astigmatism. Irregular astigmatism can occur from laser correction that is not centered properly on the eye or from irregular healing. Resulting symptoms may include double vision (diplopia) or "ghost images." In these cases, the eye may need re-treatment or enhancement surgery.

>Epithelial ingrowth. This is when cells from the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) grow under the flap after LASIK surgery.

In most cases, epithelial ingrowth is self-limiting and causes no problems. But in some cases (reported to be 1 to 2 percent of LASIK procedures), symptoms of discomfort and/or blurred vision can occur, and additional surgery is needed to lift the flap and remove the epithelial cells.

>Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK),this is inflammation under the LASIK flap that may have several causes. Some inflammation of the cornea after LASIK surgery is normal. If DLK occurs, it usually responds to therapies such as antibiotics and topical steroids.

>Keratectasia or keratoconus. This is a very uncommon bulging of the eye's surface that can occur if too much tissue is removed from the cornea during LASIK

>Dry eyes after LASIK. Some people who have LASIK surgery experience a decrease in tear production that can cause eye discomfort and blurred vision. .
Dry eye syndrome after LASIK surgery usually is temporary and can be effectively treated with lubricating eye drops or other measures.
People who already have severe dry eye usually are eliminated as LASIK candidates.

>Significant undercorrection, overcorrection or regression.
In most cases, a significant undercorrection or regression can be treated with additional laser vision correction or other refractive surgery methods such as conductive keratoplasty, once it is certain that the refractive error is stable.

>Eye infection. Eye infections after LASIK surgery typically are temporary, and can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or anti-inflammatory medication such as steroids

However ,most of these side effects are rare and remember that you can reduce your risk of LASIK complications by choosing a reputable, experienced eye surgeon. By the way I had done the lasic surgery since 14 years and every thing is fine with me concerning vision ,however this varies between people choose a qualified eye surgeoun who will make you all over tests for your eyes and advice what is the best for you and if you are a good candidate or no .

Lasic eye surgery is considered safe operation with high successful rate if the patient was the good candidate and the surgeon is experienced and qualified one .
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Dr. Salem Abu Alghanam Ophthalmology
Laser eye surgery is to correct refractive problems but if you have squint, you need a different surgery.
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Dr. Pierre Mardelli Ophthalmology
LASIK eye surgery is very safe, and it can treat myopia/astigmatism. You should be checked by an ophthalmologist to see if you're a good candidate for LASIK procedure. What do you mean by your eyes are not 100% straight?

Regards,
Pierre G. Mardelli.
 • 
Dr. Jihad Menassa Ophthalmology
Laser correction will not align ur eyes if they are not straight, it will only remove your myopia and astigmatism. You can correct your misalignment by strabismus surgery and then do the laser correction. 
As for the risks of laser correction, they are minimal or insignificant if it is well done and you r a good candidate
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