For many people, LASIK surgery is their answer to vision improvement. According to Wikipedia.org, LASIK is defined as "a type of refractive surgery for correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism." This vision correction surgery is conducted by laser and has been performed on millions of Americans. While the majority of LASIK surgeries are completed without complications, sometimes problems do occur.
According to experienced LASIK surgeons, the rate of LASIK complications is below one percent. Even though this number is low, it still means that potentially thousands of people suffer from problems following LASIK surgery. When problems do occur, it usually has to do with the creation of a hinged flap in the cornea, as this area of the eye is lifted while the laser re-shapes the eye. The flap is then replaced to form a natural bandage.
If the flap is not cut correctly, it can result in numerous complications and risks. Studies have found that flap-related complications occur in about 0.3 percent to 5.7 percent of LASIK surgeries. Issues can also arise if certain medical conditions were not identified prior to surgery.
Some of the most common LASIK complications include the following:
- Irregular astigmatism
- Eye inflammation (diffuse lamellar keratitis)
- Keratectasia
- Incomplete corrections
- Decentered ablations
- Oversized pupils
- Haze
- Dry eye
- Infection
- Epithelial ingrowth
People suffering from these complications may experience symptoms that include blurred vision, glare, double vision, ghosting, halos, itchy eyes, redness, pain and oozing of eyes.
When considering LASIK surgery, it is imperative to select a reputable surgeon who has extensive experience and knowledge with this type of procedure. However, even veteran eye surgeons can make costly mistakes.
If you or a loved one has suffered from complications following LASIK surgery, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 866-639-5567 for legal advice. An experienced New York injury lawyer will be able to explain your legal rights and options.
