Ophthalmologists continue to improve on LASIK despite the stellar results over the years. If a patient happens to be in the one to two percent area the operation does not help as much as expected, it is small comfort it was such a success for others. Improvements in software, in tools used, and approaches continue in the medical field. One of the ways that becomes accomplished happens when doctors do long term studies on surgical work done over a long period.
The flap lifts
One of the crucial elements in a laser eye surgery can become defined as the flap the laser makes. The flap opens the interior of the eye for ablation. Afterward, it functions like a band-aid over the wound. Checking on the incision-made flap years afterward gives evidence of the safety and efficacy of LASIK. Sometimes due to aging or disease, an added procedure may be needed in later years. The Journal of Refractive Surgery in 2018 published such a study.
The study
The doctors gathered 23 eyes of 20 patients for the study who had primary LASIK surgery ten years earlier. Remember, at the time these patients had the surgery, it was not the latest improvement of techniques but around 2008 when doctors still had much to learn about which eye conditions laser eye surgery could genuinely help. The actual range of time these patients had was 13.9 years meaning many had the surgery done more than ten years ago. One patient had the laser eye surgery 18.7 years ago. Also, include the fact that eyesight becomes affected as people age when looking at the statistics. After checking the primary LASIK incision, the eye doctors found the following:
- of the 23 eyes kept the same corrected distance visual acuity after a second surgery
- Only one eye had a loss of vision acuity from 20/20 to 20/25
- One eye after the second surgery experienced accelerated epithelial growth requiring a PRK surgery
- out of 20 eyes received an uncorrected distance visual acuity (no glasses) of 20/20 vision
- Six eyes received an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/25
- out of 20 eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity equal to preoperative corrected distance visual acuity
Other considerations
Having a second surgery ten years or more after a primary LASIK surgery proved highly successful. The initial flap did not over scar or harm the eye in most patients. Refractive error can increase in a patient due to aging can then be corrected successfully a second time with laser eye surgery. The most common issues encountered defined as epithelial ingrowth. After surgery in some patients, the presence of corneal epithelium appears in an area where one normally does not find it. It can occur in an interface section of the flap and stromal bed of the cornea. It happens due to a loss of contact inhibition and a path that leads to the interface area. Or it happens because an epithelial cell hooks a ride on the microkeratome pass and lands in the tissue it can grow in. Frequently the epithelium stops such ingrowth. Also, diabetes and several other conditions cause such growth in the eyes.
Conclusion
Choosing a good doctor makes all the difference like found at Houston LASIK clinic. It lessens the likelihood of stray epithelial cells, and the technology has advanced in the last ten years immensely. If needing a possible second LASIK surgery, take a drive to Houston and visit with the staff at the clinic. They can catch you up on all the latest development and statistics.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478
Via
https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/treating-epithelial-ingrowth-after-lasik
