How Variable are the Risks of Laser Eye Surgery?

Since its introduction around forty years ago, Laser Eye Surgery has become one of the most commonly performed elective procedures in the world. In fact, more than 100,000 Laser Eye Surgery procedures are carried out every year in the UK alone! But despite its ever-growing popularity, misconceptions continue to surround this life-changing treatment.

The fact is, as well as being one of the most popular, Laser Eye Surgery is also considered to be one of the safest elective procedures. But that isn’t to say it doesn’t come with a risk of complications. More accurate would be to say that these risks are often over-estimated by prospective clients. But what actually are the risks of Laser Eye Surgery, and do they apply to everyone equally?

The Risks of Laser Eye Surgery

It is completely normal to be anxious about having Laser Eye Surgery. After all, the eyes are so essential to our quality of life, and to the way we experience the world. For most people, this anxiety doesn’t reflect a belief that something will go wrong – but rather that, if it did go wrong, it would be catastrophic.

Thankfully, with today’s highly advanced technology and the unrivalled experience of our surgeons, the chances of complications are lower than ever. Moreover, it is even less likely that a complication will occur that cannot be corrected by your surgeon. To put this into perspective, it is estimated that the risk of even a minor compromise to your vision is in the region of 1 in 1,000.

The chance of going blind as a result of Laser Eye Surgery is virtually zero. That is, while there is technically an exceedingly small risk of blindness with Laser Eye Surgery, this is lower than the risk when wearing monthly contact lenses for a year. Again, to put this into perspective, there have been no documented cases of anyone ever going blind solely as a result of LASIK, despite millions of procedures being completed worldwide.

What are the Real Risks of Laser Eye Surgery?

Far more common side effects of Laser Eye Surgery include dry eyes, starbursts and halos around light sources (particularly at night), and fluctuating vision. Many patients will experience some or all of these side effects to some extent; however, in the vast majority of cases, they don’t cause major disruption and gradually fade as the eye heals.

In less common cases, patients may require further treatment to manage these symptoms. For example, if night vision disturbances persist, an enhancement procedure may help to alleviate this side effect. In the case of dry eyes, this can usually be managed satisfactorily with the use of lubricating eye drops.

Moreover, a small number of people may be more predisposed towards these effects – (this can be to do with existing dry eye or low tear production, for example). The good news is this is usually detectable during your consultation, allowing your surgeon to tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

So the Same Risks Don’t Apply to Everyone?

Your initial consultation is immensely important in your Laser Eye Surgery journey. Not only does this appointment allow us to determine your overall suitability for Laser Eye Surgery treatment, but it also allows us to identify any potential risk of complications, including those mentioned above.

In addition to your prescription, your eye health and corneal thickness are factors that can potentially impact your suitability for different Laser Eye Surgery treatments. If your surgeon believes that these factors may put you at a higher risk of complications, this will be discussed with you in detail and, in some cases, you may be refused treatment. However, thanks to our access to the latest technology and the most experienced surgeons, we can treat around 98% of the patients we see.

Ultimately, while the experiences of others can play an important role in your decision to have Laser Eye Surgery, your personal consultation will provide you with all the information you need to make your final judgement. We believe that the risks of Laser Eye Surgery are massively outweighed by the benefits. However, this is a call that only you can make.

If You’re Thinking About Laser Eye Surgery…

Whichever category you fall into, it is important to make sure that your pre-surgery consultation takes place with an expert optometrist. During this appointment, your doctor will assess your likelihood of experiencing any discomfort following your treatment and explain how this can be dealt with. And, of course, in the unusual event that surgery isn’t the right option for a particular patient, we’ll be the first to explain why and advise them of the other options they can consider.

So, if you are concerned about the risks, the most important thing is to do your research, and to be aware that not all clinics are equal – either in customer care or, more importantly, in terms of safety records. Above all, don’t decide yet – a comprehensive assessment will provide you with all the information you need to determine whether Laser Eye Surgery is the right option for you.

If you’d like to learn more about the risks and benefits of Laser Eye Surgery, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. To find out if you could be suitable for this life-changing treatment, Book a Consultation at our Harley Street clinic.