Is LASIK Risky?

You have made the first step towards a life changing experience! You are either contemplating LASIK or have our information CD/DVD or you have already had an evaluation examination and are weighing up your options.

Either way, be assured you have made an excellent choice in the Wellington Eye Clinic for your procedure. Having been established in Dublin for 25 years, the Wellington Eye Clinic stands steadfast as the leader in Eye Laser surgery in Ireland, having performed more procedures than any other facility in the country.

All surgery has risks and complications. Yes, LASIK is no different. LASIK PERFORMED IN A CLINIC SUCH AS THE WELLINGTON EYE CLINIC IS 8 TIMES SAFER THAN WEARING DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES (the safest contact lens) in terms of sight-threatening complications. The professional group that has had LASIK more than anyone else is accountants: approximately 1% of all accountants have had LASIK done.  Those are absolute numbers. When looking at the group that has had LASIK done more than anyone else in relative terms, we learn that 32% of eye surgeons that are members of the American Cataract and Refractive Surgery Society have had LASIK done. 32 times more than the accountants. (An incredible endorsement of the safety and efficacy of LASIK and laser eye surgery in general).

Briefly the concerns have been leveled at 5 problem areas:

(1) Dry eyes
(2) Glare and halo effects
(3) Poor vision in low light and difficulty with night driving
(4) Infection
(5) Costs

Whilst the Wellington Eye Clinic supports patient awareness and the need for patients to be fully informed... not all clinics are the same in terms of quality and outcomes. The Wellington Clinic can counter the criticisms leveled at LASIK regarding safety, side effects and complication issues. We can support our claims with our own audited and published results that we have witnessed with our new Lasers in the last 5 years. All of these facts will be or have been explained at your comprehensive evaluation.

The Wellington Clinic differs from other clinics in Ireland:

- We have 4 full-time Irish Medical Council Specialist Registered Ophthalmologists with accumulated >22,000 LASIK cases experience offering 24-7 cover.

- It has the only laser (Wavelight Allegretto Wave) in the country that incorporates Wavefront technology (wavefront optimised) in every single laser treatment and has been doing so for the last 5 years. This significantly reduces the risk of having glare and night-time driving problems after surgery.

- It has the widest range of customized laser treatments (including wavefront-guided, topography-guided and asphericity-guided) to enable our surgeons to improve outcomes for patients that have been treated elsewhere with less desirable results

- The Wellington Clinic does everything possible to identify patients that may develop dry eyes. It does everything possible for patients suffering with dry eyes to minimize the extent and duration of dry eye problems. Thanks to this, we seldomly see persistent cases of dry eye syndrome.

Infection is the single most serious complication. Fortunately, this has never occurred post-operatively to date in a Wellington patient. It is the primary reason that we are comfortable doing bilateral simultaneous LASIK. The occurrence of serious infections is higher in hospital settings and high-street settings.

- No hidden costs. The fee for LASIK is comprehensive. All follow ups and enhancements are included (follow-up visits for 12 months post-op). The clinic has a lifetime warranty that is also unique in Ireland: if at any time in the future your vision regresses to a point where you need glasses to drive, we will perform the enhancement surgery free of charge.

These differences are important!

- They explain why Wellington patients have a very low incidence of long-term glare and night vision problems.

- They explain why Wellington patients are 20 / Happy and wonder what all the fuss is about when the media highlights LASIK problems!

- They explain why problem cases from all over the country, UK, Europe, South Africa and even the USA come to the Wellington Clinic for treatment.

- They explain why professional sportsmen like Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley had their surgery at the Wellington Eye Clinic.

- They explain why you too should have confidence in the Wellington team.

This information is strictly for prospective Wellington patients and those who have undergone evaluation for LASIK at the Wellington Clinic. Being found suitable for LASIK at the Wellington Clinic does NOT make you a suitable candidate for LASIK at other Clinics.

If you do not understand anything at your evaluation...Remember to ask

 

 

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