*This list is not exhaustive. After treatment, you may experience watery, burning, or red eyes. Further instructions and information can be found on the eye drop schedule you receive before treatment. If you have any questions, you can contact our Customer Care Team. Outside of office hours, the emergency number (found on the eye drop schedule) is always available for you.
WE PROVIDE CLARITY
Eye Laser Surgery: These Risks and Side Effects Exist
What can happen during eye laser surgery? The topic of eye laser surgery can trigger many thoughts - after all, it's about your eyes. Everyone feels this way. And that's exactly why it's a matter close to betterview's heart to provide the most accurate information. We explain to you what potential risks and side effects can occur with eye laser surgery and how you can prevent them.
In the preliminary and main examination, your eye is examined in detail and several vision tests are carried out. This ensures that your eyes are suitable for treatment and that the treatment method that is best suited for you and your eyes is applied, which will deliver the most predictable result to your satisfaction. And don't worry, you won't get an injection in your eye; the eyes are numbed with eye drops and you won't feel any pain during the treatment. Our Medical Team in the shop provides detailed information about the course of your treatment as well as potential risks and side effects. If you have any further questions, our Customer Care Team is happy to help. You can find an overview of what to consider before the respective appointments and the treatment itself in our checklist.
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In eye laser surgery, the top two layers of the cornea, the frontmost layer of the eye, are treated. It is processed with a laser to correct the existing visual impairment. Eye laser surgery represents a long-term correction option and is suitable for correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. You can find more information here.
What are the risks and side effects of eye laser treatment?
It's important to know that the side effects and symptoms depend on both the treatment method and individual perception. Depending on the treatment method, the following symptoms may occur in the days and weeks after treatment*:
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Increased light sensitivity: After an eye procedure and also due to the necessary use of eye drops for the treatment, temporary increased light sensitivity may occur. Especially in the first 24 hours, light sensitivity can be significantly increased. Halos, circles of light around light sources, may also occur. These symptoms usually disappear after about three months.
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Dry eyes: Dry eyes are one of the most common side effects of refractive surgery. The eye's tear production is reduced after treatment. However, this is usually temporary and subsides within a few weeks to at most six months. Lubricating drops help against dry eyes.
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Foreign body sensation: Due to dry eyes, a burning or slightly "sandy" feeling in the eye may occur. This foreign body sensation usually subsides a few days after treatment. It can also be alleviated with lubricating drops.
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Pain (TransPRK): Especially with the TransPRK treatment method, severe pain can occur in the first 5-7 days after treatment. As the removed corneal epithelium needs to regrow, this can be very uncomfortable for the eye. In the first three days, a foreign body sensation, burning eyes, and strong light sensitivity occur. It's also difficult to keep the eyes open. This subsides after the third day. With TransPRK, the overall healing time and the time to reach full visual performance is significantly longer than with Femto LASIK or SMILE Pro, but leads to the same result.
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Fluctuating visual performance: In the first days after treatment, fluctuating vision may occur. Due to the use of eye drops, in addition to fluctuating vision, milky vision may also occur. With Femto LASIK, these symptoms subside after a few days, while with TransPRK, it can take up to 6-8 weeks due to the longer healing process of the eye.
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Flap complications (Femto LASIK): Flap complications are rare, as the femtosecond laser cuts the corneal flap very precisely. Nevertheless, in the first few days after treatment, the flap may shift, for example due to careless eye rubbing. Usually, this can be corrected through a follow-up treatment.
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Infections or inflammations: As with any surgical procedure, eye laser treatment can also lead to infection or inflammation of the eye. This rare occurrence can be prevented by adhering to hygiene measures. Infections and inflammations can be treated with appropriate medications.
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Over- or under-correction: In some cases, even after treatment, the eye may not achieve the optimal and desired visual performance. This more often affects people with severe vision impairments. In the case of under-correction, a follow-up treatment can usually be performed after 6 months.
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Regression: In rare cases, the treatment result may regress. People with severe vision impairments are also more frequently affected. In most cases, this can be corrected with a follow-up treatment.
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In regression, visual acuity decreases after a previously successful laser treatment and develops into a renewed vision impairment. It's important to distinguish this from so-called presbyopia. This is not a refractive error, but a natural aging process of the eye lens inside the eye. As the eye lens increasingly loses elasticity, people from about age 45 find it increasingly difficult to see close up. Since presbyopia cannot be lasered at the same time as farsightedness, there are alternatives such as reading glasses or refractive lens exchange.
What can you do for optimal healing of the eye?
The following measures are recommended for optimal healing:
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Keep appointments for follow-up checks: During follow-up checks, in addition to visual performance, the healing process of your eye is also monitored. It is therefore important to attend these appointments.
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Follow recommendations from the Medical Team: Our Medical Team will give you important recommendations on behavior after treatment. These are explained in detail in the checklist and on the eye drop schedule, which will be sent to you before treatment.
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Adhere to the eye drop schedule: All eye drops are listed on the eye drop schedule and when you should take them. For optimal healing, adhere strictly to the eye drop schedule.
It is very important to us that you feel sufficiently informed and prepared before your treatment. So if you have any questions or uncertainties regarding symptoms or behavior after the treatment, either in advance or directly after the treatment, our Customer Care Team is always happy to assist you.
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Emergency
If an emergency occurs outside our opening hours, we kindly ask you to call the emergency number provided in your drop-in plan.