Can I get a retinal detachment after I get LASIK or Phakic IOL's? Since, technically, you are at 20/20 vision, doesn't the risk of a retinal detachment go away?
Also, are retinal detachments common or rare in children with a high prescription?
2007-06-20 02:02:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Optical
Retinal detachments happen for a variety of reasons, but they have not been proven to be linked to LASIK/PRK, but have shown a slight increase of risk with intraocular lenses (I have not seen anything that references to the implantable contact lenses, only with cataract removal and intraocular lens placement).
I have been a moderate myope (-8.25 in one eye and -7.75 in the other) my entire life until my PRK last week. And that was actually one of my questions...would PRK increase my chances of a retinal detachment? I was told no.
I was also told that moderate and high myopes have a naturally higher risk with or without any ocular surgeries of having a retinal detachment occur, usually later in life. I've been told that I have myopic lattice degeneration in the "far periphery" of my retina and that also makes me a little higher risk for retinal detachment.
Your visual acuity (vision) doesn't have much to do with your risk for other anatomic ocular problems. Poor vision can be a symptom of other ocular problems (usually is), but not a cause.
2007-06-20 11:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
High myopia usually means that your eyeball is larger than normal, and so the retina inside the eye may be under stress. So as you get older, (over 40yrs old), the vitreos gel that fills up the inside of the eyeball starts to shrink. As it shrinks, it detaches from the retina. Now if it's a clean detachment, then it's all OK. This is what you want for each eye. During this time, you may see flashes of lights that may lead to some floaters.., Now, for some unfortunate people, the vitreous gel might be strongly attached to the retina, and as the gel shrinks, instead of detaching itself from the retina, it can tear the retina's nerve layers or completely pull the retina off the choroid. This is what you DON'T want. So if you generally get flashes and floaters, it's important that you get your eyes checked regularly (especially involving a Dilated Fundus Exam), as early retinal tears can be easily fixed.... otherwise, a small tear can over time lead to large tears and finally detachments. Edit... ...[Thirdtwn]... Hmmm if somthing is longer, isn't it also larger in the length dimension. When the nerve/retina is stretched, isn't it also under stress (as in mechanical)?
2016-05-20 07:18:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having lasik makes absolutely zero difference as to whether or not you could have a retinal detachment (RD) later. your risk of RD is exactly the same after lasik as it was before lasik, regardless if you are 20/20 or not. so NO...being 20/20 does NOT make the risk of RD "go away". lasik just changes the shape of the front side of your eye (cornea) so that you see well. it does absolutely nothing to your retina.
phakic iols actually slightly *INCREASE* your chance of future RD...
2007-06-20 07:04:44 · answer #3 · answered by princeidoc 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Can it be cured without lose of vision
2016-03-09 00:29:35 · answer #4 · answered by SHARON 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your eye doctor.
2007-06-20 02:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by kim t 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋