When Might LASIK Enhancements be needed? (Cont.)
In our last article, we discussed when a patient may require additional enhancements following LASIK laser eye surgery. Today, we will cover some additional situations which an enhancement may be required.
Small wrinkles known as striae can occur within the corneal flap following LASIK laser eye surgery. These wrinkles do not usually interfere with vision. Additional treatment is not typically required. In some cases, the striae may be significant enough that the patient’s visual acuity is decreased. When this happens, it may be necessary to lift the flap so that it can be irrigated and then put back into place. Generally speaking, this procedure, which is very quick, is sufficient to correct the complication.
There are numerous reasons that could cause striae or flap irregularities. Such irregularities tend to be more common when the procedure is performed on very nearsighted eyes. Patients who rub their eyes before the flap has properly bonded may also be more at risk for developing subtle striae. This risk can be avoided by not rubbing your eyes for several weeks following the procedure. If suction is lost during the creation of the flap, complications may also occur.
Other potential complications that might occur with LASIK including the following:
Irregular or incomplete corneal flaps
Flaps that are too thin or too small
Buttonholes (small tears or holes in the center of the flap)
Free caps (flaps without a hinge)
Decreased contrast sensitivity and vision glare are also common side effects that can occur within the first few days following the procedure. In most cases, these problems diminish over time after the surgery. Some LASIK patients report vision glare as auras or halos around lights, such as tail lights or headlights at night. In some cases, patients may experience streaks or starburst around streetlights.
Pupil size can affect the quality of your vision following the LASIK procedure. Patients with large pupils may experience more halos than those with smaller pupils. Due to the fact that pupils dilate in dim lighting, some patients may notice they experience reduced vision quality in dark environments.
It is also not uncommon for some people to experience dry eyes following their procedure. This is particularly common during the first few weeks while the corneas are still healing. Patients who have preexisting dry eye conditions should be fully evaluated prior to their surgery. Some patients who have a preexisting dry eye problem may find that their eyes are worse following the procedure.
These are some possible dry eye symptoms following LASIK: Excess tears and watery eyes
A gritty, sandy feeling in the eyes
Burning sensation
Feeling as though something is in your eye
Sensitivity to light
A heavy feeling to the eyes
Pain in the eyes
It is thought that one reason why some people experience dry eye symptoms following LASIK is because some of the corneal nerves may be disturbed during the creation of the corneal flap. This can be a problem because the corneal nerves are responsible for providing feedback to the tear glands. As a result, there is a reduction in the flow of tears of the eyes. Once healing has taken place, the corneal endings will usually regenerate, which means tear volume will return gradually and dry eye symptoms will disappear.
Are you ready to learn more about LASIK, and find out whether you might be a good candidate for the procedure? Our wonderful staff at The Eye Care Institute, would love to help answer any questions you may have.
We’re delighted to offer free LASIK consultations to anyone who wishes to learn more.
Feel free to either click here to call us, or fill out this contact form.