How safe is laser eye surgery?

Author: Dr. Victor Derhartunian 14 December 2022

Laser eye surgery is a safe and effective solution for correcting vision.
It is a surgical procedure in which the cornea of the eye is shaped using laser beams.
This process can reduce or even eliminate dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
There are different types of lasers that are used for eye surgery, but all techniques have the same goal: to shape the cornea so that it allows for a sharp image.
Each type of laser has its own special advantages.
For example, some laser systems are particularly precise and have a very low error rate.
Another important feature of the safety of laser eye treatments is the experience and expertise of the treating doctor.
Most doctors have years of experience in this field and can therefore assess potential risks in advance.
It is therefore important that patients inform their doctor in detail about all possible risks before deciding on treatment.
Even after Lasik surgery, there are still risks that patients should be aware of.
If they suffer from certain medical conditions or are taking medication, this can affect the healing process or lead to more serious complications.
Therefore, it is important that patients discuss all possible risks with their doctor before surgery and have all necessary tests performed to avoid complications.
Ultimately, eye surgery is very safe and effective in most cases – as long as you follow the advice of your doctor and attend regular follow-up appointments.
If you want to correct your vision without having to rely on glasses or contact lenses, eye surgery can be a worthwhile option.
In this article, we want to shed some light on the risks associated with laser eye surgery and how safe today’s methods are.
Of course, any form of surgery carries risks.
However, laser eye surgery offers several advantages over conventional methods of correction.
Firstly, the method is very precise and therefore ensures better healing.
On the other hand, only minimally invasive methods are used, which significantly reduces the risk of complications.
It is also in your power to minimize the risks and thus safely achieve the best vision.

How has laser eye surgery developed?

Ophthalmology has been practiced in Egypt since ancient times.
The first spectacles were used as early as the 13th century.
Refractive surgery became popular in the second half of the 20th century.
Ophthalmology was revolutionized by the use of lasers in eye surgery [Opthalmologie].
Originally, these tools were used to assist doctors, but eventually they largely replaced surgical instruments.
In 1960, the first ophthalmic ruby laser was used to treat eye diseases.
The first excimer laser was The first excimer laser was developed by an American research team consisting of Dr. Nikolai Basov, Dr. V. A. Danilychev and Dr. Yu.
M. Popov, in 1970.
The excimer laser was first used for the production of laser mirrors before being adapted for medical and industrial applications.
The development of the excimer laser has led to many important advances in medicine and technology, including the correction of refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism through LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures.
By the end of the
20th century, research increasingly turned to the possibilities offered by laser treatment in ophthalmology.
The first studies on refractive surgery began in the 1970s.
The first attempts to cut open the upper layer of the cornea were carried out in the 19th century.
The Austrian-Polish ophthalmologist Eduard Zirm performed the first successful corneal transplant in 1905, in which he cut open the upper layer of the cornea and attached the transplanted tissue to the underlying layer.
Since then, this technique has been further developed and refined and is now routinely used to treat various eye conditions.
Although his work was initially unsuccessful, in 1963 Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer corrected his mistakes by removing corneal tissue without cutting into the cornea.
This is also known as keratomileusis.
Radical keratotomy, the predecessor of Lasik, was invented in the 1960s by the Russian ophthalmologist Svyatoslav Fyodorov.
From 1978, it was mainly used to treat short-sightedness.
Today, the procedure is mainly known as cataract surgery.
In 1986, photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) was used for the first time with a laser to ablate the cornea.
As already mentioned, the PRK procedure was then used by the German ophthalmologist Dr. Theo Seiler.
In 1989, a combination of keratomileusis and excimer laser was used.
Lasik, a technique that eventually replaced keratotomy, was developed.
PRK was perfected in the 1990s to become Lasek.
There are currently several types of vision correction surgery (such as Lasek, Lasik and PRK).
An individual treatment plan is drawn up for each patient. These procedures are constantly being updated and improved on the basis of current research.
This enables even more precise and accurate treatment to be carried out.

What is laser eye surgery and when is it used?

Laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure used to correct defective vision.
It is usually considered a quick and effective treatment that allows you to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.
The surgery works by directing the laser at the cornea of the eye to change the shape and thickness of the cornea, correcting the refractive power of the eye.
The indications for laser eye surgery are very specific.
It is mainly used for patients with short-sightedness or long-sightedness, but it can also be used for astigmatism.
In some cases, it can also help with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
If you suffer from any of these conditions and are considering getting laser surgery, it’s best to speak to your eye doctor about the best course of action for your case.
When it comes to the level of safety, laser eye surgery is just as safe as any other medical treatment.
Before surgery, a full health check will be carried out to determine if you are suitable and what type of treatment is best for you.
The doctor will examine your eye thoroughly and make sure there are no complications.
During the operation, the doctor will guide the laser precisely, following all standard safety procedures.
After the operation, you will usually need to have several follow-up appointments so that your doctor can check that the results are optimal and that there are no complications.
In most cases, patients receive a very good result after laser treatment with almost 100% accuracy in correcting their visual impairment.

Why does the question of the safety of laser eye surgery arise?

Laser eye surgery has developed rapidly in recent years and is now a very common method of improving visual function.
Despite all the advances, the safety of the operation is of course still an important aspect when deciding for or against this procedure.
Most experts agree that the safety of laser eye surgery is very high.
However, there are also some risks that need to be considered.
The most common complications include bleeding, swelling and inflammation of the cornea.
In rarer cases, there may also be a hole in the cornea or other irreparable damage.
However, the probability of such complications is very low and is less than 1%.
It is also important to note that there should be no further treatment for at least 6 months after laser eye surgery.
This is necessary to ensure that the new visual function is stabilized and no further corrections are necessary.
The use of laser technology to improve vision has become established and has become an integral part of modern ophthalmology.
For over three decades, laser surgery has been successfully used to treat glaucoma and cataracts and to give patients better vision.
However, the question arises as to how safe laser eye surgery really is.
Some people may be skeptical about the safety of laser eye surgery.
However, we understand that there are risks involved with any type of surgical treatment.
Therefore, it is important that patients weigh all the pros and cons before undergoing surgery.
Most of the damage that can occur in relation to laser eye surgery is due to an improperly used or underused laser.
Therefore, it is essential that you find a competent eye surgeon that you can trust.
An expert should be able to give you more information about the risks of the surgery.
There are also certain risk factors for eye surgery: age-related problems as well as pre-existing conditions or other factors (e.g. diabetes mellitus) can lead to complications during surgery.
It is essential that your doctor informs you of the possible risks and points them out to you so that he or she can take appropriate measures and minimize complications as far as possible.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to bear in mind that eye surgery has great potential to significantly improve your vision – but only in the hands of an experienced specialist!
If you are unsure or would like to find out more about the safety of eye surgery, please contact us.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about ophthalmology.
and make sure you know all about the surgeon and his experience with the treatment method.

Definition and explanation of the procedure and its scope of application

Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure in which vision is improved by correcting the cornea of the eye.
This method is also known as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) or PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy).
The treatment is usually performed on an outpatient basis and only takes a few minutes.
The accuracy and safety of this method are very high and complications rarely occur.
Laser eye surgery is a refractive surgery that aims to change the refractive power of the eye in order to achieve better vision.
This method is used for patients who suffer from short-sightedness or long-sightedness.
Short-sightedness occurs when the eye is too short or the cornea is too curved.
In the case of long-sightedness, the eye is either too long or the cornea is too flat.
Both types of defective vision result in the light not hitting the retina of the eye correctly, resulting in a blurred image.
Treatment with laser eye surgery can be used for both adults and adolescents.
However, the visual aid should only be considered after the child has completed the growth phase, i.e. from around the age of 18.
Before treatment, a detailed examination of the eyeball must be carried out to determine whether the procedure is suitable for the patient.
Laser eye surgery usually only requires one session.
This procedure uses a special laser machine called an excimer laser.
The excimer laser uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is directed at the area of the cornea and makes tiny incisions to adjust its shape to the desired refractive power.
The surgeon then adjusts the laser beam to the individual patient and regularly checks their progress.
After the procedure, it can take several days or weeks for vision to improve.
In the meantime, some people experience slight discomfort such as redness and tearing in the treated eye.
To avoid this, patients must follow certain instructions after the procedure, such as protecting themselves from direct sunlight and having regular check-ups.
Laser eye surgery is a safe method of treating visual impairments.
It can help to improve your vision and provide you with a higher quality of life.
However, it is important to note that it is not suitable for everyone, and you should discuss any risks with your doctor before the procedure.
The results of the procedure are usually permanent and you can return to normal vision immediately afterwards – but there are also risks of post-operative bleeding or infection, as well as other complications that need to be considered.

How are the operation and its results checked?

Reviewing the operation and its results is an essential part of laser eye surgery.
There are various ways in which the operation and its results can be checked.
One way is to have the eye checked by a specialist.
This can be an ophthalmologist, an optician or another specialist.
This is particularly important if the operation is complicated.
The other option is self-checking.
This means that you check your eye yourself.
This is particularly important if you have a condition that affects your eye.
During laser eye surgery, certain tests are carried out to check the results of the operation.
First of all, the patient’s vision is checked.
A special test is used to determine the eyes’ ability to accommodate and to ensure that vision is unchanged after the operation.
This test is also known as refraction.
Another important step in checking the results is the use of a tonometer to measure the pressure in the eye to get a view of the inside of the eye.
These tests help the doctor to identify any deviations from normal values and make any necessary corrections.
To ensure that the vision, function and health of the eye are still intact after the operation, many doctors recommend regular check-ups after the procedure.
During these check-ups, the doctor can check the vision and measure the pressure in the eye.
In addition, abnormalities in the back of the eye can be detected and treated in order to identify potential problems at an early stage.
Eye surgery is a very precise procedure with risks for the patient.
However, with state-of-the-art technology, the risk can be minimized by having skilled doctors take precise measurements and ensure that all parameters are carefully considered during the procedure.

Safety procedures for laser eye surgery

A modern laser eye network is highly regulated and controlled.
The safety and effectiveness of the treatment is checked before, during and after the procedure.
To this end, various test procedures are used to confirm the effectiveness of the laser and the safety of the treatment.

Tests and examination methods used before, during and after the procedure

First of all, a preliminary examination is carried out before the procedure to determine the exact position and size of the area to be treated.
Possible complications or allergies are also identified and treated or avoided accordingly.
During the procedure itself, the eye lens is constantly monitored to ensure that it is in the desired position and that the laser beams are aimed precisely at the area to be treated.
The effect of the laser can be monitored in real time so that it can be determined at any time whether the result is as expected or whether a correction is necessary.
After the procedure, it is checked once again whether the lens is in the desired position and whether everything looks as it should.
If not, it can be corrected again.

Description of the test methods

The safety of laser eye surgery is ensured by a series of test procedures, tests and examination methods.
These are applied before, during and after the procedure.
Before a patient is considered for laser eye treatment, they must undergo a series of examinations and tests.
These include

  • A comprehensive eye examination in which the structure of the eye is examined and visual acuity is measured.
  • A refractive error test that determines the degree of myopia or hyperopia and astigmatism.
  • A swelling and dryness test in which the amount of tear fluid in the eyes is measured.
  • A pupil-dilating test in which the pupil’s reaction to light is measured.
    The patient is constantly monitored during the procedure.
    The monitoring measures include
  • The measurement of pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure).
    This is done with an instrument called tonometry.
  • The control of pupil dilation.
    This is done with an instrument called iris photometry.
  • Monitoring the movement of the eyeball.
    This is done using an instrument called Purkinje photometry.
    After the procedure, the patient’s eyes are closely observed to ensure that the treatment was successful and that there are no complications.

What are the possible complications of laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery should not be treated as a routine procedure in order to minimize the risk of possible complications.
It is important that you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications associated with laser eye surgery.
These include:

  • Infection: Infection of the eyes can occur if the sensitive cornea of the eye has been severely damaged.
    In severe cases, an infection can lead to loss of vision.
  • Incomplete correction: Incomplete or incorrect success is another risk associated with laser eye surgery.
    It is therefore particularly important that you consult an experienced surgeon to minimize your risk.
  • Unpredictable reaction to laser treatment: Unpredictable reactions of the body to the laser can also occur here, which in the worst case can lead to loss of vision.
    It is therefore important that you provide your doctor with all relevant information prior to treatment.
  • Severe pain: Severe pain may occur in the eyes after the treatment.
    This is normal and usually disappears within 24 hours.
    In rarer cases, however, it may be necessary to seek medical treatment.

Overall, laser eye surgery is a safe procedure and as long as you follow your surgeon’s instructions, the procedure should go smoothly.
However, if you experience any unexpected symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
By taking the right steps and having the right level of knowledge, you can maximize the chances of a successful laser procedure and avoid potential problems.

List of possible side effects of the intervention and external factors

Laser eye surgery is a safe procedure, but it can have side effects.
The most common side effects are eye rims, tearing and pain.
These side effects occur in most patients after the procedure, but not in all.
In addition, certain external factors can cause the side effects to be worse than in other patients.
One of the most common side effects of laser eye surgery is bags under the eyes.
These occur because the laser melts the fat cells in the eye, causing the eye to shrink.
This causes the tissue under the eyes to become much firmer for a moment and presses it into the skin.
However, this moment only occurs briefly and then disappears again.
You should therefore not be afraid that your dark circles will get worse after the procedure.
Another common side effect of laser eye surgery is tearing.
The melting process of the laser may cause you to start drinking or crying more often.
However, this phenomenon usually only occurs a few days after the procedure and then disappears again.
You should therefore not be afraid that your tearfulness will get worse after the procedure.
Another common side effect of laser eye surgery is pain.
Due to the melting process of the laser, you may experience increased pain or headaches.
However, this phenomenon usually only occurs a few days after the procedure and then disappears again.
You should therefore not be afraid that your pain will get worse after the procedure.

What risks can be associated with the procedure?

The question of the safety of laser eye surgery is a legitimate one that concerns many people.
Nevertheless, it is often fraught with myths and prejudices.
Many people think that laser eye surgery is a dangerous undertaking that should only be performed by doctors.
However, this is not the case.
In fact, laser eye surgery is a relatively safe procedure that is successfully performed by many people.
However, there are some risks associated with laser eye surgery.
Possible after-effects include dryness or itching of the eyes.
Infections are also possible, although these are rare.
In rare cases, serious complications such as retinal detachment or corneal curvature can also occur.
It is therefore important that you inform yourself thoroughly before the operation and ask your doctor whether you are suitable for the operation.
The risks at a glance:

  • Dryness of the eyes after treatment
  • Itching
  • Infections due to poor aftercare
  • Night vision complaints
  • “Double standing”
  • Over- or undercorrection
  • Veil vision
  • occur extremely rarely:
    • Astigmatism
    • Retinal detachment

As a rule, all of these consequences can be treated very well.
Topglass argues: “Infections after laser eye treatment (risk 1:10,000) are very rare and can be easily treated with medication.
Overcorrections also occur in a maximum of 5% of cases.

Is laser treatment recommended for eye health or not?

The safety of laser eye surgery depends on various factors.
First of all, it is important that the doctor you register with for treatment has a solid reputation.
If you opt for laser eye treatment, you should be sure that your doctor has sufficient experience and undergoes regular further training.
The safety precautions in the practice should also be optimal.
However, one of the biggest advantages of laser eye surgery is the safety itself.
This is because this method is a “gentle” treatment method that does not involve any incisions or other risks of injury.
This means that the likelihood of complications is significantly lower than with other methods of corrective myopia.
Laser eye surgery is a very safe method of improving or maintaining vision.
The number of successful treatments is very high and the complication rate is low.
The most common complications are dry eyes, pain and slight bleeding.
However, these are rare and usually subside within a few hours or days.
Another possible complication is uneven visual acuity, but this can also be corrected in the vast majority of cases and rarely occurs.

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Author:

Dr. Victor Derhartunian

Nachdem er sein Handwerk von den beiden Pionieren der Laserchirurgie gelernt hat, gehört Dr. Victor Derhartunian zu den führenden Augenlaser-Chirurgen. Er leitet die Praxis in Wien und kann seine Patienten in fünf Sprachen beraten.