Doctors have warned against the dangers of laser attention in recent years.
The use of lasers has become increasingly popular in the field of medicine, especially ophthalmology, where lasers are used to correct refractive errors like astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. However, laser technology is not entirely risk-free as it can cause permanent damage to the eyes and other parts of the body when not used correctly.
What is laser attention?
Laser attention involves the use of high-energy laser beams to make corrections to the eyes. This technique is called refractive surgery and can involve using a laser to remove a small amount of tissue from the cornea, or reshaping it to improve vision.
Corrective laser surgery is commonly performed with lasers such as excimer lasers, femtosecond lasers, or YAG lasers. These lasers are used to precisely ablate tissue to reshape the cornea, clear the lens, or remove other tissue blocks in the eye area.
Types of laser eye surgery
There are several types of laser vision correction surgeries available today:.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK is a type of laser vision correction surgery that involves creating a flap on the cornea, using a laser to reshape the underlying tissue, and then replacing the flap over the treated area.
This is the most commonly performed laser vision correction surgery in the world, with millions of procedures performed every year. However, LASIK surgery does come with its own set of risks and complications, and not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
In PRK, a laser is used to reshape the cornea’s surface without creating a flap. This is an older technique that is less commonly performed today, but it is still an option for some patients.
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)
LASEK is similar to LASIK in that a flap is created on the cornea, but the flap is moved entirely out of the way, rather than being replaced after the laser treatment.
This allows the surgeon to treat a larger area on the cornea, but recovery time is longer than LASIK.
Epi-LASIK
Epi-LASIK is similar to LASEK, but it uses a special instrument to lift the epithelium, rather than a blade. This technique is less commonly performed today, but it is still an option for some patients.
Complications of laser attention
While laser attention has proven to be effective in correcting vision problems, it’s not risk-free. There are several complications associated with laser surgery, the most severe of which can lead to permanent damage to the eye.
Some of the complications include:.
Overcorrection or undercorrection of vision
In some cases, the patient may experience overcorrection or undercorrection of their vision. Overcorrection refers to the correction of vision beyond the target correction.
While undercorrection refers to the failure to correct vision to the desired result.
Flap problems in LASIK
During LASIK surgery, the surgeon creates a flap on the cornea and then reshapes the underlying tissue. In rare cases, the flap may not heal properly or become dislodged, leading to complications during the healing process.
Glare and halos
Some patients may experience glare and halo effects following laser vision corrective surgery. This occurs when the patient sees a circle of light around point sources of light, making it difficult to drive at night.
Dry eyes
Another potential complication of laser attention is dry eyes. In some cases, the surgery can interfere with the ability of the eyes to produce enough tears to keep the eyes properly lubricated.
Infection or inflammation
As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection or inflammation following laser eye surgery. Patients may be prescribed antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication to reduce these risks.
Conclusion
Laser attention has become a popular method for correcting vision problems. However, it comes with its own set of risks and complications, which can lead to permanent damage to the eyes.
Patients need to choose a reputable surgeon when considering laser vision correction and be aware of all the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure.