What is Laser Eye Surgery?
This is surgery which is performed for refractive purposes. Refractive surgery means any surgery with the intention of altering the refractive state of the eye, to deal with issues that a patient may have, such as long sightedness, short sightedness or stigmatism.
Prior to refractive surgeries like this, it is important your doctor is satisfied that your eye is healthy. The various types of refractive surgery are:
1. Incisional /Radial Keratotomy
2. Laser
3. Surface / PRK-Lasek
4. Under the flap / Lasik
In advance of your operation your Doctor or Laser Eye Specialist should inform you, of the type of the Laser Eye Surgery that he or she is intending to perform on you. In order for you to give your informed consent to a certain procedure you should be informed as to what type of procedure you are going to be subject to. Whilst the option of Radial Keratotomy is very much an outdated corrective eye procedure, Laser, Lasik and
PRK Lasek are not without their associated potential complications. There is always a risk of infection, or consistent haze. For example PRK-Lasek operations for over 45’s may not get near vision.
Some other complications can be 1) optical glare , 2) dry eye,3) ectasia, or 4) infection. There are certain consenting issues, or issues associated with you a patient being able to provide a fully informed consent to the operation which you have opted for. The issues and possible complications involved in Laser Eye Surgery should be issues that your surgeon discusses with you in advance of the operation and not simply discussed with ancillary staff of a clinic or someone connected to that surgeon. You should be provided the opportunity to discuss all issues with your surgeon, and you should be given the opportunity to discuss with your surgeon all the risks and benefits involved. These issues should be added to your consent form and documented at the time of consultation with you, and you should not be rushed into signing a consent form. You should be provided with sufficient time to understand the refractive surgery process and all the risks and issues involved in any given laser eye surgery procedure.
It may be the case that certain procedures are carried out on the day of your first consultation which are certain pre-operation procedures such as a dry eye check. This is a procedure which maps the surface of the eye using eye drops in the eye. In some situations you may be given a sedative on the day, and it is questionable whether you can give a fully informed consent after receiving a sedative or a dry eye investigation. There is a certain risk of infection post laser eye surgery, and whilst this is rare, it is important that when you report this to your surgeon or doctor that it is properly identified by your doctor or surgeon, and furthermore a proper course of treatment is administered and carried out to treat any infection which can arise.
If you or anyone connected to you has been affected by any of the above issues, please feel free to call us or contact us on at the number below.
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