When our ophthalmologist has diagnosed us with a refractive problem and we do not want to depend on glasses or contact lenses, there is a solution that a good number of patients resort to; Lasik surgery.
What exactly does this procedure consist of? It is a technique that has been in force for more than 20 years and that has shown the best results when it comes to correcting refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism).
There is a consensus among experts on the multiple benefits of this technique, especially if the efficacy, safety, comfort and minimal risks it presents are taken into account in comparison with other similar procedures.
Lasik Surgery: Most Common Side Effects
The Lasik technique is also a surgical procedure that does not require the patient to be absent for a long time. After Lasik care during COVID-19, all you have to do is rest for a few hours in the clinic where the operation is performed and then go home and complete the postoperative phase.
This is not to say, however, that the Lasik technique has no side effects or that it is risk-free. Despite the use of state-of-the-art lasers, it is still an outpatient operation and, therefore, we must follow the recommendations made by the ophthalmologist to the letter.
Patient Perspective In Laser Refractive Surgery
Sometimes, patients can be affected by some side effect, most of them which are temporary. Those that are repeated the most among patients are:
- Residual Defect
In the days after the intervention, it is possible that the refractive problem that motivated the Lasik surgery remains or that there is a regressive effect. In the first case, it is a matter of waiting for the cornea and the intervened area in general to stabilize. In the second, the less common, the possibility of making a small touch-up can be evaluated.
- Slight Visual Acuity Loss
In those first days after the operation, it is normal for visual acuity to be lost, and we cannot carry out our daily activities. However, it is a purely temporary stage.
- Too dry eyes
We will likely experience stinging or irritation in the eyes after the procedure. In these cases, the best thing to do is go to the eye doctor and request a brief treatment, usually based on the application of artificial tears. The idea is to rehydrate the eye.
- Inflammations Or Infections
In some cases, inflammation occurs in the intervened area. And if the care is not what it should, there are likely infections.
- Temporary Discomfort
Mild irritation, sensitivity to light, and, although not very common, some people experience halos or glare. In the vast majority of cases, these discomforts disappear in a short time.