Is LASIK surgery safe for myopia?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Hoang Thanh Nga - Ophthalmologist - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

LASIK surgery for nearsightedness is a treatment method with many advantages, high safety level, and quick effect to help nearsighted patients regain clear vision, limiting dependence on eyeglasses. But many people wonder if this surgical method is safe. This also depends on many objective and subjective factors from the patient.

1. What is lasik surgery?

Lasik surgery is the use of lasers to correct the curvature of the cornea, thereby treating diseases related to refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. This adjustment takes place in a short time, only a few minutes per eye.
The lasik surgery process includes 3 steps:
Step 1: Create a corneal flap Create a corneal flap about 110 micrometers thick by automatic instruments, this corneal flap is pushed to the side or flipped up to expose exposing the underlying corneal parenchyma.
Step 2: Laser irradiation will peel off each thin layer of the basal corneal parenchyma according to a preset program depending on the refractive error. Laser projection time is very fast, only in seconds.
Step 3: Put the corneal flap back in place Finally, the corneal flap is put back to cover the incision and the eye will heal on its own without stitches.
Lasik surgery has many advantages such as:
Gentle without pain and without bleeding Proven high level of safety and effectiveness The time of surgery is quick, the patient is discharged the same day Vision recovers quickly During the day and gradually increase over several months, patients can return to basic work quickly within 1 day. But it is only suitable for certain subjects. Therefore, before deciding to have surgery, it is necessary to conduct a screening examination to see if it is suitable for this method.

2. Is LASIK surgery for nearsightedness safe?

Lasik surgery method affects the outside of the eye, so the safety level is high, so there are very few complications compared to other methods. This is a surgery that has been approved by the US FDA for its safety. If your profession or yourself find it unsuitable or uncomfortable to use vision correction methods such as glasses, then choosing lasik surgery is a highly safe, effective method to help reduce dependence on glasses after surgery.
However, any surgical method has certain risks, it cannot be absolutely safe. A small number of post-surgery problems have followed:
Sensitivity to light This is a manifestation of new visual disturbances after lasik surgery. Patients appear these signs at night such as blurred vision, glare, glare around the light spot, double vision...
But these signs can gradually improve after a while, because after surgery The eyes are not used to this condition, but after a period of about 3-6 months, the eyes will adapt and feel not too uncomfortable anymore. In addition, after surgery, you should not look at places with too much light.

Dry eye after surgery Dry eye after lasik surgery is said to be a common complication, the degree of dry eye in each person after surgery is different because it is related to many geographical and environmental factors...so it manifests itself. can range from mild to severe.
Dry eye is improved with regular use of artificial tears, especially 3-6 months after surgery.

Complications of corneal flap deviation This is a complication that can occur immediately after surgery if the eye is strongly impacted, even this complication can occur even after surgery for a long time if the hit the eye area. When the corneal flap is deviated from its original position, it can cause visual disturbances, keratitis, etc. To limit this complication, it is necessary to follow the instructions for eye care after surgery, make sure to use glasses. protection 24/24 including while sleeping, within 3 days after surgery to avoid accidental eye contact, do not play strong sports that may affect the eye area.
Occurrence of myopia re-occurrence after surgery Recurrent myopia after surgery is not common, it can be due to a number of reasons such as surgery when the degree of myopia has not been stabilized, some abnormalities in eye anatomy, care regimen. care, activities after surgery are not suitable...
Can't see clearly after surgery Most of the cases after surgery vision will recover gradually, no need to depend on glasses. However, there are a very small number of cases where the vision can not be restored as desired and still requires glasses.
As mentioned, any surgical method can happen, but the rate is more or less, with lasik surgery, the level of complications is very low, serious complications such as vision errors, deviations. flap... only accounted for 0.1-0.2%. According to an FDA review, over 95% of patients are satisfied with the results after lasik surgery.
To minimize the risk of accidents, it is necessary to pay attention to some of the following issues:
Should choose a reputable medical facility, experienced surgeon. Screening is necessary to determine whether it is suitable for lasik surgery, because this method is not suitable for all subjects. Strictly follow the instructions and advice of the doctor after surgery. For patients who wear ortho-k contact lenses to treat previous refractive errors, contact lenses should be discontinued 4-6 weeks before surgery. People with mild myopia 1-2 degrees, if it is not too inconvenient to use glasses, should not have surgery.

Lasik surgery is considered to be highly safe, but before surgery, the patient should discuss the benefits and risks with the doctor to make the most suitable choice.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.