Answers
Q:
Are there limits to how much refractive error can be treated?
A: Yes
there are. Myopia can be treated to approximately -12, while hypermetropia can
be treated to +5 and astigmatism can be treated to 5 by Lasik.
Q: Am
I too young or too old?
A: There is no upper age limit. We like patients
to be at least 20 years old to ensure refractive stability. The vision should
have been stable for at least 1-2 years
.
Q:
What is the success rate?
A: The success rate depends on your ocular
health and refractive error. This is better discussed at the initial consultation
with your surgeon.
Q: Can I speak to somebody with a similar refractive error
and who has had this surgery performed?
A: Yes this can be arranged.
We have found our patients are happy to pass on their own personal experience
with Hunter Laser Vision.
Q: What kind of visual recovery can I expect?
A: More than 95% of eyes will see 6/12 or better after 1 year.
Q: Is the surgery permanent?
A: Yes the surgery
does permanently alter the shape of your cornea. This does not mean that your
refractive error will not change. If you are going to naturally become more short
or long sighted then this will still occur.
Q:
Will I ever have to wear glasses again?
A: Presbyopia is a natural
aging condition which affects everybody in their mid forties to fifties. Presbyopia
is due to the lens in the eye becoming less elastic with age, and therefore not
working as affectively for close work. This means that most people in this age
group start to need reading glasses, or bifocals. With or without the laser surgery
you will need reading glasses at some stage. It is also possible that people may
need to wear a small prescription for certain activities after the surgery.
Q: If I wear glasses for reading only, will this
surgery help me?
A: It is possible that laser surgery may be able to
help you. Monovision is a possible alternative to reading glasses.
Q: Can I go blind if the surgery is not a success?
A: It is possible but there have been no reported cases of blindness in Australia
from laser vision correction. However, there remains an unquantifiably small risk.
Q: Why do contact lenses have to be left out prior to the
consultation?
A: Contact lenses need to be left out (for at least
2 weeks) prior to the consultation and surgery, as they may affect the natural
curvature of the cornea. For the accuracy of results we need to know the natural
curvature of the cornea before surgery, therefore it is essential that you leave
them out prior to the consultation and surgery.
Q: I have keratoconus. Can I have laser refractive surgery?
A: In most cases no you can not have laser refractive surgery. Some cases of forme
fruste keratoconus, where the cornea has stopped growing for at least 5 years
and the patient is at least 35 years old are amenable to PRK.
Q: I previously had RK (Radial Keratotomy) and I am not fully corrected can I
have laser surgery?
A: Some cases can be treated with laser following
RK.
Q: Can I have the procedure if I am pregnant or planning
a pregnancy?
A: Refractive surgery should not be done if you are pregnant
or breastfeeding.
Q: Does Systemic Connective Tissue Disease, Lupus or Rheumatoid
Arthritis prevent me from having the procedure?
A: PRK is contraindicated
where there is active disease. Lasik can be done in some cases.
Q:
How long does the surgery take?
A: The actual surgery only takes 10
minutes per eye, but you will be in our rooms for approximately 90 minutes.
Q: What happens if I blink during surgery?
A: Blinking is controlled by a small retractor placed between the eyelids,
this allows the eye to remain open during the procedure.
Q: Will I actually see the laser during the procedure?
A: Although
you will hear a snapping sound and will see the fixation light in the microscope,
the laser beam itself is invisible.
Q: Can I have both eyes treated on the same day?
A: The majority of people do have both eyes treated simultaneously but this is
best discussed at the time of consultation with your surgeon.
Q:
Will the eye hurt following the procedure?
A: The first night you
can expect some discomfort (like an eyelash in the eye). There are tablets and
special drops to alleviate any discomfort.
Q: Is it normal for the eye to be blurred following surgery?
A: Yes; with Lasik it will be like "vaseline vision" overnight but
by the next morning your vision will usually be quite good (80%). The vision will
change a little over the next week. With PRK the vision is usually quite blurred
during the 3 day epithelial healing phase (when the contact lens is in). The vision
may vary over the next few days but is generally good by 1 week.
Q: Do I have to use eye drops following surgery?
A: Following Lasik eye drops are used regularly
for the first week and lubricant drops as desired for another month. Following
PRK (surface treatment) drops are used with decreasing frequency for a month.
Q: How long before I can go back to work?
A:
You need to see your surgeon the day after surgery, and so we suggest that you
take at least this day off. It is recommended that you take approximately 1 to
2 days off work after the procedure.
Q: When will I be able to drive?
A: Usually
you are able to drive a day or two after the surgery. We suggest that you wait
until you are used to both your night and day vision.
Q:
When will my vision be adequate to perform my normal activities?
A:
Most patients will have adequate vision to resume normal activities the day after
the procedure.
Q: How long until the flap is settled?
A: The
flap is settled immediately after surgery. It is possible for it to move on the
first night after surgery. It can be lifted 3 months after the surgery by the
surgeon, but you are unable to move it after the first week unless you rub it
quite vigorously.
Q: How long until the eye heals?
A: The eye
is healed structurally approximately one month, and optically approximately three
months after surgery.
Q: When are the usual post operative visits required?
A: All patients
are examined within the first 24 hours. If they have had PRK their next visit
is at 72 hours when the epithelium has healed and the contact lens is removed.
All patients are seen at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. If patients live
a long way from Hunter Laser Vision the 1, 3, and 6 month visits may be undertaken
by their local Optometrist.
Q: How many individuals experience halos or glare?
A: At 1 year, 2.4% of the patients have some glare
(flare off lights with increased sensitivity) or halos (rings around lights).
Most of these individuals consider the glare to be very slight.
Q: Is there a risk of scarring?
A: Very low
risk with Lasik and PRK for treatment of low range myopia. If scarring occurs
it can usually be effectively managed with anti-inflammatory drops or in rare
cases by retreatment with laser. In a very small percentage of patients, permanent
scarring and a loss of vision may result.
Q: What is the incidence of increased pressure inside the
eye after using the steroid drops?
A: Only 1.8% of individuals have
greater than 5mm increase in IOP from pretreatment levels, which should not be
present in any patient by 1 year.
Q: What is the frequency of haze or scarring?
A: With PRK at 1 year most patients have trace haze (insignificant and not affecting
vision). The rate of significant haze is 1% if PRK is done for myopia 4 dioptres
or less. If larger errors are corrected by PRK then significant haze is encountered
more often.
Q: What are the rare complications of laser refractive
surgery?
A: Adverse effects of laser refractive surgery that occur
less than 1% of the time included blurred vision, cataract formation, defects
in the corneal surface, scarring of the cornea, ulceration, infection, dryness,
foreign body sensation, ghosting of images, irregular corneal curvature, cysts
in the outer corneal layer, discomfort, light sensitivity, droopiness of the eyelid,
or problems with reading.
Q: Have patients lost sight following laser treatment?
A: After 1
year 98.8% of eyes have no change in the best corrected vision, with only 1.2%
losing more then 2 lines on the eye chart.
Q: If I am undercorrected can I have further surgery?
A:
Retreatment (enhancement) is sometimes necessary for a minority of patients whom
initially had a significant refractive error. This is determined by your surgeon
once your vision has stabilised (usually at 3 or 4 months).
Q: If I need further surgery do I have to pay?
A: There is no charge for any retreatment performed.
Q: How do I know if I am suitable for the laser surgery?
A: To determine your suitability for laser surgery you need to come
in for an initial consultation at our rooms. At this consultation we will look
at the general health of your eye, discuss the possible complications and the
results you can expect after the surgery. Book your comprehensive ophthalmic work-up
on 1800 44 20 20
Q: How much is the initial consultation, and am I able
to claim any of this back?
A: The initial consultation is $100. You
are able to claim a (part) rebate from Medicare if you bring a referral from your
GP, Ophthalmologist or Optometrist.
Q: Am I able to claim any of the surgery cost on
Medicare, or my Health Fund?
A: You are unable to
claim any of the surgery costs from Medicare, or your private health fund. You
may be able to claim some of the cost back through your personal tax but you would
need to discuss this further with your accountant.
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