What to expect > Risks and Complications
Risks and Complications
Potential risks and complications
Every surgery has risks and complications. It is important that you understand both the risks and the chances of complications occurring well in advance of any surgery being performed.
- Serious or Permanent Vision Loss: The percentage of this worldwide is very low and the Australian ratio of this is even lower due to the very high standard of equipment generally used in Australia.
- Regression: This is where the eye replaces some of the laser ablated tissue after surgery. It is quite uncommon after NU-LASIK Epilift but more likely with Hyperopia and less again with Myopia. You may need an 'enhancement' if this occurs. This is a very safe procedure when done using NU-LASIK.
- Under-correction or Over-correction: This can occur immediately after your treatment and in some cases may be done deliberately, according to the required refractive error. Under or overcorrection allows for any predicted regression which may occur in Hyperopia and therefore ensures good vision is attained after the 'settling down' period. The majority of all regression occurs within the first six months. Again, if necessary, an enhancement procedure can be done very safely.
- Infection: This is very rare. You are started on antibiotic drops straight after your treatment as a prophylactic therapy. Interestingly, you actually have less chance of infection after Excimer Laser than you do getting a serious infection during a lifetime of contact lens wear.
- Pain or Discomfort after Treatment: This was a more significant problem with PRK. However, with NU-LASIK Epilift it is considerably reduced but still may last up to 48 hours. You are given analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications to ensure your comfort during this period.
- Instability of Refraction: In early stages of healing, your refraction can frequently change. It is mostly due to dry eyes and tear film related problems during the first month.
- Haze: This is rare. It is managed with steroid eye drops for a short period of time. To date we have not seen any significant Haze effecting vision or causing vision symptoms with NU-LASIK.
- Glare (Night Glare): The MEL-80 Laser has reduced night vision symptoms in nearly all patients. Occasionally few patients suffer symptoms for a short time after treatment and more it is due to tear film problems. Eye drops and sunglasses assist in making this condition comfortable. It often resolves in a few months after treatment. We have found there are minimal night vision symptoms with NU-LASIK.
- Decreased Contrast Sensitivity: This is usually only a problem for people with careers such as artists and engineers and is a compromise which must be considered. Fourth Generation lasers and NU-LASIK have, however, reduced Contrast Sensitivity problems. Very few patients report any change. Many patients have improved contrast after Nu-Lasik
- Induced Astigmatism and Decentration of Treatment: This is caused by the laser ablation being placed "off centre", usually due to patient eye movement during the operation. The Northern Laser Vision Centre uses the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 80 laser which has a very advanced Eye Tracking system. The laser beam follows any small movement of your eye during surgery. Excessive movement automatically stops the treatment until you are centred and steady again, which avoids this problem.
- Loss of Best Spectacle Corrected Visual Acuity (BSCVA): BSCVA is the best vision you have prior to your surgery. In some instances that same vision may not be achieved with laser surgery. This can be due to irregularity of the eye surface or decentration of the optical zone. This is very uncommon but is more likely with LASIK than with NU-LASIK.
