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Study seeks to advance understanding of LASIK complications, preventive measures

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Proper patient selection and patient care before, during and after surgery can help mitigate complications arising from LASIK surgery, according to a comprehensive literature review.

Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, and colleagues at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego retrospectively reviewed 816 publications that discussed complications during or after LASIK surgery. The study examined literature published between 1992 and 2005, the researchers noted.

They concluded that the risk of “visually threatening complications is inherent” in any ophthalmic surgery. LASIK adds complexity simply because of the sophistication of the lasers used in the procedures, the group said.

“There can be significant human variation in response to this surgical intervention,” they said. Physician error can result in “many potential complications” after LASIK, the researchers noted.

However, “appropriate patient selection” coupled with preoperative, surgical and postoperative care can help mitigate the factors. If complications do occur, proper management is crucial, the researchers said.

The study is published in the April issue of American Journal of Ophthalmology.