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Proper Screening, Advanced Equipment Can Reduce LASIK Complications |
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Louisville surgeon, head of national eye surgery board says LASIK is not for everyone
LOUISVILLE, KY (April 25, 2008) - As the FDA holds hearings on the safety of LASIK today, a Louisville eye surgeon who is president-elect of the American Board of Eye Surgery is reminding patients that complications can be significantly reduced with proper pre-surgery screening and the use of advanced surgical equipment.
“LASIK is a safe procedure - 95 percent of the 12.4 million people who have received it are satisfied with the results. But not everyone who wears glasses or contact lenses is a candidate,” said Dr. Asim Piracha, President-Elect of the American Board of Eye Surgeons and a surgeon at John-Kenyon American Eye Institute. “Eye surgeons must thoroughly screen their patients to determine whether LASIK or another procedure is the right for them. And patients must educate themselves on what other options are out there. I applaud the FDA for examining this issue to ensure that eye surgery is even safer and more effective than it already is.”
People with dry eyes, thin or irregular corneas, cataracts and certain medical conditions are not candidates for LASIK. However, many of those patients can improve their vision with other procedures, such as advanced surface ablation and implantable lenses.
For those who are candidates for LASIK, advanced technology that replaces hand-held blades with precision lasers also greatly reduces the risk of complication, Piracha said. John-Kenyon American Eye Institute was the first practice in the region to offer all blade-free LASIK and has seen positive results. Most LASIK complications occur during the first step of the procedure, in which the cornea is cut with a hand-held blade. With IntraLASE, the blade-free method, the cornea is cut with a laser, offering a more precise result and less risk of mistake. In fact, both the U.S. Military and NASA have approved the blade-free method for their pilots and astronauts.
“Eye procedures carry risk, just like any surgery, but are mostly safe and effective. My advice to surgeons is to reduce risk as much as possible by using the most advanced equipment available and making sure their patients are getting the right procedure. And for patients, I recommend being educated: know what kind of equipment your surgeon is using and know what options are available to you,” Piracha said.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) today will hold a public hearing to discuss the potential post-operative effects of LASIK and whether more screening is needed pre-surgery. LASIK has come under fire in recent days from patients who say they have suffered debilitating side-effects from the popular surgery.
John-Kenyon American Eye Institute has been a trusted provider of eye care and eye surgery in the Louisville area for more than 30 years. With five highly-trained and skilled surgeons, three top-notch optometrists and the latest in surgical technology, John-Kenyon American Eye Institute is committed to the highest in quality patient care. For more information, visit www.johnkenyon.com.
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Peritus News 