Changes

==Should I be Worried about Complications?==

==Should I be Worried about Complications?==

In 2003, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the largest insurer for doctors in the United Kingdom, reported a 166% increase in claims involving laser eye surgery; however, the MDU averred that these claims resulted primarily from patients' “unrealistic expectations” of LASIK rather than “faulty surgery”.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2937512.stm</ref> A 2003 study reported in the medical journal ''Ophthalmology'' found that nearly 18% of treated patients and 12% of treated eyes needed retreatment.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12689897&query_hl=5</ref> The authors concluded that “higher initial corrections, astigmatism, and older age are risk factors for LASIK retreatment.”

In 2003, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the largest insurer for doctors in the United Kingdom, reported a 166% increase in claims involving laser eye surgery; however, the MDU averred that these claims resulted primarily from patients' “unrealistic expectations” of LASIK rather than “faulty surgery”.<ref>BBC News.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2937512.stm Laser eye surgery complaints up]. 2003.</ref> A 2003 study reported in the medical journal ''Ophthalmology'' found that nearly 18% of treated patients and 12% of treated eyes needed retreatment.<ref>Department of Ophthalmology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12689897&query_hl=5 Incidence and associations of retreatment after LASIK]. 2003.</ref> The authors concluded that “higher initial corrections, astigmatism, and older age are risk factors for LASIK retreatment.”

On October 10, 2006, WebMD reported that a statistical analysis revealed the risks of infection due to contact lens wear is greater than the risk of infection from LASIK.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/content/article/128/117072.htm</ref>  Daily contact lens wearers have about a one in 100 chance of developing a serious lens-related eye infection over 30 years of use, and a one in 2,000 chance of suffering significant vision loss as a result. The researchers calculated the risk of significant vision loss due to LASIK surgery to be closer to one in 10,000 cases.

On October 10, 2006, WebMD reported that a statistical analysis revealed the risks of infection due to contact lens wear is greater than the risk of infection from LASIK.<ref> Boyles, Salynn. Web MD. [http://www.webmd.com/content/article/128/117072.htm LASIK Surgery: Safer Than Contacts?]. 2006.</ref>  Daily contact lens wearers have about a one in 100 chance of developing a serious lens-related eye infection over 30 years of use, and a one in 2,000 chance of suffering significant vision loss as a result. The researchers calculated the risk of significant vision loss due to LASIK surgery to be closer to one in 10,000 cases.

The incidence of refractive surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated from 3%<ref name="CRSQA 1">Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance. [http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-complications.htm "The most common complications of refractive surgery."]. ComplicatedEyes.org.</ref> to 6%.<ref name="Albietz">Albietz JM, Lenton LM, McLennan SG. [http://www.optometrists.asn.au/gui/files/ceo882089.pdf "Dry eye after LASIK: comparison of outcomes for Asian and Caucasian eyes."] ''Clin Exp Optom.'' 2005 Mar;88(2):89–96.</ref> The following are some of the more frequently reported complications of LASIK<ref name="CRSQA 1"/><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16465507&query_hl=35&itool=pubmed_docsum]:

The incidence of refractive surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated from 3%<ref name="CRSQA 1">Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance. [http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-complications.htm "The most common complications of refractive surgery."]. ComplicatedEyes.org.</ref> to 6%.<ref name="Albietz">Albietz JM, Lenton LM, McLennan SG. [http://www.optometrists.asn.au/gui/files/ceo882089.pdf "Dry eye after LASIK: comparison of outcomes for Asian and Caucasian eyes."] ''Clin Exp Optom.'' 2005 Mar;88(2):89–96.</ref> The following are some of the more frequently reported complications of LASIK<ref name="CRSQA 1"/><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16465507&query_hl=35&itool=pubmed_docsum]: