How safe is Lasik vision correction? FDA to examine
Lasik (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) or Laser Vision Correction gives you freedom from wearing contact lenses and glasses. This popular Lasik surgery can give you clear vision in a matter of few minutes.
The surgery can treat spectacle numbers from + 6 to –14. About 12 million Americans already have undergone the vision correction making Lasik surgery the most popular in the US.
This surgery is not for every one, candidates must have a comprehensive pre-operative exam and consultation, before getting clearance for the Lasik surgery. Though the surgery is relatively safe, but there are cases of the few unlucky candidates with dry eye, night vision problems and even lost vision.
With some people complaining about complications after the surgery like double, blurred vision, FDA is looking into the matter and would be hearing from the unhappy patients and Lasik eye surgeons. This will give FDA a better way to educate the patients so they know and understand the risk involved.
Daniel G. Schultz, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said"Our sense is that most of the patients who are having the procedures are reasonably satisfied and are doing fairly well.
But clearly there is a group that is not satisfied and do not get the kind of results that they expect. What we're really trying to do is figure out what that number is.
We want to provide people with accurate, timely information to help people make decisions."
The Lasik surgery takes 15 minutes (approx) to complete for both eyes. Thin protective flap of the corneal tissue is folded back. To correct the refractive error with exceptional accuracy the computer controlled laser is then used to reshape tissue from the inner cornea. The changes made to the inner cornea are permanent. The corneal flap is placed back in its normal position where it bonds naturally.
It is important to protect the eye after the surgery for a week. Patients are advised not to rub their eye for a week, no swimming for 3 weeks, however patients can shower and bath.
The long term side effects (if any) for the Lasik Surgery are not known yet.
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