Considerations before laser eye surgery
Refractive eye surgery is a medical intervention. Therefore, it is important to be aware that such treatment carries certain risks. Carefully weigh the risks and benefits, before making, a decision.
Individual risks include
- Under normal circumstances, the incision will heal within three days. However, it is possible that delayed recovery and complications may occur resulting most commonly in dry eye, eye burn, or alternating visual acuityIn the majority of the cases this occurs for only a few days, but it can rarely last for months. These effects can be reduced by using artificial tear drops.
- If the two eyes are not treated at the same time, due to the differences between our eyes, binocular vision may be affected and could result in double vision, dizziness or balance problems.
- Glare or halos around lights may occur in the first months, though these phenomena disappear on their own.
- Very rarely, the corneal lobe may be too small or thin and the edge may curl up, which can be prevented by wearing contact lenses for a few days.
- In rare cases, the cornea may become inflamed during the first 3-5 days after surgery – as a result of the body's defense mechanism. It is painless and not caused by infection. Intensive eye drop treatment can cure inflammation.
- In very rare cases, a bacterial infection may develop that has to be treated by a doctor.
- Development of temporary corneal opacity, photosensitivity, temporary increase in intraocular pressure, undercorrection, regression, overcorrection, very rarely – with a frequency of less than 0.5% – eye surgery may not improve diopter.
Not recommended, in general, for
- Patients with pacemaker (as the electromagnetic field may interfere with pacemaker operation)
- Malignant myopia (when myopia has fundus symptoms or the length of the eyeball continues to increase)
- Ophthalmic complications of diabetes
- Connective tissue diseases
- Keratoconus
- Other co-occurring ophthalmic disorders (for example cataracts, retinal diseases)
- If the central thickness of the cornea is very thin
Not recommended for these special categories
- Anterior surface diseases (for example dry eye, rosacea)
- Under 18 years of age
- Pregnancy
- Gray cataract
Post-surgery restrictions
- Do not get water in your eyes while showering and do not use make up for a month!
- Do not exercise for the first two weeks, after which you can do cardio exercises. After 1 month you can fully return to exercising, though gradually ramp up the workload. If you are boxing or diving, you may want to wait six weeks after treatment before resuming these forms of exercise.
- Do not rub your eyes!
- Do not sunbathe (not even in protective glasses) or use the sauna for 1 month!
- Avoid dusty places or use safety goggles if you cannot do so!
Your doctor will answer all your questions honestly and in detail. We provide all relevant safety and risk information about the surgical device and the procedure. During the medical examination, please tell your doctor about your detailed medical history, previous eye injuries, and the medications you are taking. Your doctor can only make a safe decision about your eye surgery if he knows this information.