Side Effects of Lasek Procedure and Its Recovery Time

Side Effects of Lasek Procedure and Its Recovery Time









LASEK or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileusis is a laser medical procedure known to be effective in treating a variety of eye conditions. It has been used to successfully treat vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

LASEK Recovery Time

• Compared to surgeries using traditional methods, laser procedures allow the patient to recover faster, to spend lesser downtime from activities, and to have a safer, faster healing.


• Of course, the actual recovery time will greatly vary among patients, with some healing much faster than the others. There are those patients who heal much easier than others.
  
  
  


• Still, compared with other laser procedures, LASEK does not offer the fastest healing. In fact, the recovery time is considered to be much longer than LASIK.


• LASEK does offer a considerably fast recovery, with the patient not required to stay in the hospital. Thus, LASEK is often done on an outpatient basis.

LASEK Recovery Process

• Right after the procedure, the patient may not see remarked differences or they could already see the differences. Well, that would depend upon that person’s healing capacity as well as other factors. Anyway, right after the procedure, the patient can go home right away.
  
  
  


• Within 24 hours, the edges of the flap would have healed.


• Healing will begin quickly, with the patient being able to drive within 4 to 7 days.


• However, the patient should still follow the doctor’s instructions on aftercare even after he/she feels that he/she is already healed. The surface may have healed but the internal parts may still be in the healing process.


• Crisp, clear vision will come in around 6 to 8 weeks when the eyes have fully healed already.

LASEK Complications

• Like any medical procedure, there are complications associated with LASEK. However, very little can go wrong with the procedure as long as it is performed by a trained, qualified physician.


• Refractive error could occur.


• Also, it is possible that an infection can occur but this is a rare complication.


• Still, any complication could lead to more serious conditions so that it is very important to watch out for even the slightest signs.

LASEK Side Effects

The following side effects could occur to patients who have undergone LASEK surgery:

• Pain immediately after the surgery or when the effects of the anesthesia have waned.


• Loss of sharpness of vision.


• Corneal haze.

If the patient experiences these side effects, especially for long periods of time, it is best to seek medical attention.