When laser eye surgery goes wrong, one significant outcome that can occur, affecting a small percentage of patients, is partial loss of vision.
Potential Outcomes When Laser Eye Surgery Encounters Complications
While laser eye surgery is a common procedure, like any surgery, there are risks of complications. Understanding what might happen if things don't go as planned is important.
The Risk of Partial Vision Loss
According to information regarding laser eye surgery risks, a notable issue that can arise when the surgery goes wrong is partial loss of vision. This specific complication is reported to occur in approximately 1% of patients who undergo the procedure.
Several factors, as described in resources like Laser Surgery Gone Wrong: How to Minimise Risks - LESH, can lead to this outcome:
- Erroneous Reshaping of the Cornea: If the laser incorrectly reshapes the cornea, it can result in permanent vision issues, including partial loss.
- Damage to the Eye from the Laser: Direct damage caused by the laser during the procedure is another potential cause of reduced vision.
- Allergic Reaction to Anaesthetic Eyedrops: In some instances, an allergic response to the numbing eyedrops used during the surgery can also contribute to partial vision loss.
These factors represent specific ways that laser eye surgery can go wrong and lead to the severe outcome of partial vision loss for a small number of individuals.
