Lasik & Floaters

[DryEye]

Can (custom) Lasik cause floaters and/or retinal damage? If so, would one know immediately or could it onset weeks or months later? How does the laser know to only hit the corneal tissue? Is it possible that one can notice floaters more so after their vision begins to improve with lasik vs what they saw with their contacts? Besides, the OptoMap and the manual procedure (eye drops) and mirror checks by their doctor are there other ways to make sure all is well? In the end are floaters just something to deal with unless numerous in nature and all the other signs they tell you to watch for albeit rare?

[LasikExpert]

Floaters are tiny bits of retina or vitreous that are floating around in the eye. They can occur naturally or be induced with trauma. During Lasik the pressure inside the eye is raised and may disturb existing floaters or possibly cause more. To my knowledge there are no studies that conclude Lasik causes floaters, but that does not mean that it doesn't. We have an article about Lasik and Floaters that you may want to read.

The change in light focus inside the eye may make floaters noticeable, but what is more likely is that the floaters have moved in the way or even just moved to a new position. The brain is quite good at ignoring bad information (consider the blind spot that you have but don't see), but if that floater moves, it is necessary for the brain to learn how to "look around" a new area.

Probably the greatest contributor to floaters after Lasik is that you become very eye-aware. Every little thing is noticed.

[DryEye]

Any concern of having ones pupils dilated by a retinal specialists to check for floaters post lasik (2 or 3 months post lasik)?

Has anyone to your knowledge had retinal damage/tears etc due to Lasik?

I read people 8-24 reading have a higher degree of risk.

What about those way under, say 3?

Thanks

[LasikExpert]

Any concern of having ones pupils dilated by a retinal specialists to check for floaters post lasik (2 or 3 months post lasik)?

Any time a pharmaceutical is used to alter the iris there is risk of adverse effect, however this occurs millions of times a year without problem. If there is something unusual about your reaction to medications, such as allergies, be sure to notify your doctor.

Has anyone to your knowledge had retinal damage/tears etc due to Lasik?

There are several documented cases in the medical literature that describe retina tears or detachment subsequent to Lasik. Keep in mind that myopia (nearsighted, shortsighted) vision is a risk factor for retina detachment. This is why it is recommended to have a retina evaluation before elective eye surgery if you are a high myope.

I read people 8-24 reading have a higher degree of risk.

Of retina detachment? I can't find anything in the literature to affirm an age relationship. It is much more related to myopia caused by elongation of the eye. There may be a study that indicates age relationship but it is something I have not found. I honestly am not as knowledgeable on retina issues as I am on refractive surgery.

What about those way under, say 3?

Again, retina detachment most often relates to general health of the eye and/or myopia, not age.

[peliot]

Actually Dryeye, you just commented on my post and so I read this one of yours...

LASIK can indeed cause floaters - one tech at the LASIK clinic I went to said it happens all the time.

It did for me. The surgeons will tell you that "the floaters were probably there before." This is an irrelevant point / defense. Whether or not these microscopic things were already floating in your vitreous prior to LASIK doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not they bothered you before.

I had never even heard of the word floaters prior to LASIK. I couldn't have conceived of what they were. Three weeks afterwards - bang! Several floaters dancing in my vision all day. Looking at the computer is like looking at an aquarium with little amoeba darting around.

A friend of mine "got a floater" four months after his LASIK. The timing of when they appear isn't exact, but LASIK certainly can cause floaters. It is one of the least disclosed complications and can be one of the most devastating because there is nothing they can do to remove them (vitreoectomy is a cure worse than the illness as is YAG laser). As one friend says, it is like having a pebble inserted permenantly in your shoes.

LASIK can cause retinal tears. It caused one for me. The suction during LASIK puts strain on the retina. Particularly if you have lattice degeneration (10% of popluation) you are at greater risk even with the prophylactic procedure they do (called a PRP) to shore up the weak areas.

Bottom line: LASIK is a dangerous proceedure with the potential for life-altering side effects.

[DryEye]

Peliot
I don't believe I wrote all that about floaters in any of my previous posts
You may be picking it up from someone else on one of my posts

[peliot]

no, I just meant that you had posted a general comment on one of my posts... the information above is based on my own experiences and research...