Early postoperative complications

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Lasik Eye Surgery - Early postoperative complications

* The incidence of dry eye varies widely from research studies. A study by Hovanesian et al. reported that 50% of patients experienced dry eye symptoms at 6 months period post surgery.

* The incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), also known as the Sands of Sahara syndrome, has been estimated at 2.3%. DLK is an inflammatory process that involves an accumulation of white blood cells at the interface between the LASIK flap and the underlying corneal stroma. It is most commonly treated with steroid eye drops, and sometimes it is necessary for the eye surgeon to lift the flap and manually remove the accumulated cells.

* The incidence of infection responsive to treatment has been estimated at 0.4%. Infection under the corneal flap is possible. It is also possible that a patient has the genetic condition keratoconus that causes the cornea to thin after surgery. Although this condition is screened in the preoperative exam, it is possible in rare cases (about 1 in 5,000)[citation needed] for the condition to remain dormant until later in life (the mid-40s). If this occurs, the patient may need rigid gas permeable contact lenses, Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (Intacs), Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin or a corneal transplant.

* The incidence of persistent dry eye has been estimated to be as high as 28% in Asian eyes and 5% in Caucasian eyes. Nerve fibers in the cornea are important for stimulating tear production. A year after LASIK, subbasal nerve fiber bundles remain reduced by more than half. Some patients experience reactive tearing, in part to compensate for chronic decreased basal wetting tear production.

* The incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage has been estimated at 10.5% (according to a study undertaken in China; thus results may not be generally applicable due to racial and geographic factors).

Source: Lasik Eye Surgery - Early postoperative complications at wikipedia.org