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Proper management of complications can lead to good LASIK outcomes, surgeon says
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NEW YORK — Complications of LASIK are less likely to lead to visual loss if handled promptly and properly, according to Elizabeth A. Davis, MD. Dr. Davis will speak on Prevention and Management of Common LASIK Complications at the upcoming Eleventh Annual Ocular Surgery News Symposium, to be held here Sept. 21-22.
In her keynote address, Dr. Davis will discuss avoiding and managing intraoperative and postoperative complications of LASIK.
According to Dr. Davis, intraoperative complications can include thin flaps and buttonholes, free caps and anterior segment perforation, in addition to ablation complications such as central islands and decentration.
Postoperative LASIK complications tend to present shortly after surgery. Some of them can affect visual outcomes, but some are merely unpleasant for the patient and do not threaten visual acuity, according to Dr. Davis. Careful attention to the operating room environment can help eliminate some postop complications such as interface debris. Other complications, such as punctate epithelial keratopathy, can be remedied with frequent lubrication of the eye. Diffuse lamellar keratitis is frequently treated with topical steroids, and infectious keratitis by antibiotics.
Preventing epithelial ingrowth is not always possible, Dr. Davis notes. “Even with careful irrigation of the surface, epithelial ingrowth still may occur. An epithelial defect at the time of surgery can lead to stromal edema, with poor adherence of the cap to the underlying stromal bed,” she said.
For more information about the upcoming 2-day OSN Symposium, click here.