Are you considering the laser eye surgery to correct your vision? Before making a decision, it is essential to be aware of recent information released by the FDA regarding the procedure.
A quick search on the internet asking whether LASIK is dangerous yields results from medical providers and eye clinics that assure potential patients of its safety. LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is an in-office procedure that aims to correct the vision, eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. Annually, about 600,000 people undergo the popular procedure.
However, last July, the FDA started drafting guidance for practitioners on how to advise patients as to whether they are suitable candidates for the procedure. Based on complaints, the FDA has found risks associated with the LASIK treatment, and patients need to be better informed of these dangers before deciding to undergo the laser surgery.
How Does LASIK Work?
It is a procedure that uses a laser to reshape a person’s cornea to improve their vision. The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and other underlying structures.
The cornea refracts light, and depending on a person’s eye shape, the way the light is refracted can cause blurriness. For example, a person who is nearsighted has an eye that is too long, and light focuses on the front of the retina, making distant objects seem fuzzy. On the other hand, a farsighted person has an eye that is too short, and light focuses behind the retina, causing nearby objects to appear blurry.
Laser Eye Surgery
During this treatment, a physician uses a blade or a laser to create a circular flap in the top layer of the cornea. The flap is then lifted, and the physician uses a laser to reshape the corneal tissue as required. The flap is then put back into place, and the procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
It can able to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but it cannot address age-related vision loss. While LASIK can improve vision, it may not perfect it, and some patients may still require glasses or contact lenses.
Is LASIK Safe?
A textbook once bizarrely described LASIK as the best option for “easygoing” individuals who wouldn’t mind wearing glasses after the procedure, specifically when driving at night or reading. However, the FDA draft lists reasons why LASIK may be unsuitable for people with specific eye conditions, regardless of their outlook on life.
For instance, individuals with severe dry eye may not be suitable candidates for the surgery, as it can risk blurred vision, dryness, and discomfort that may not improve over time. LASIK is also not recommended for people with a thin cornea as it could decrease vision.
The FDA also warns against LASIK for people with autoimmune diseases like lupus or connective tissue diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. In these patients, LASIK could lead to severe dry eye, infection, inflammation, and difficulties with healing.
There is also a risk of “corneal melting,” a term that ophthalmologists use to describe the cornea’s dissolution, which could lead to permanent vision loss.
Read also: Supercharge Your Defense: Get Your Covid-19 Booster in Northern Ireland Starting April 12th!
LASIK Side Effects
Even for people without preexisting conditions, LASIK has some risks. According to the FDA report, LASIK can reduce vision in settings with poor lighting. A person may struggle to see in dim rooms or in situations with low light-to-dark contrast. They may also find it challenging to drive in the dark or during fog, rain, or snow.
LASIK can also cause a “halo effect” around lights. For instance, a lamppost may appear to have an aura around it
