LASIK in Singapore: Is it Safe?

One of the main concerns of anyone thinking of having LASIK in Singapore is how safe it is. How likely this corrective surgery can improve their vision usually only comes second.

If you’re also asking yourself these questions, then you’re on the right path to your LASIK journey in Singapore! Wondering about the safety and possible risks of any procedure you’re getting is part of the process.

Read on below to learn more about the safety of LASIK inSingapore and whether it’s the right procedure for you. We’ll help you feel more assured in your decision!

How safe is LASIK?

It goes without saying that all surgeries carry some risk of complications and side effects, but LASIK in Singapore is a generally safe procedure with an estimated complication rate of less than 1%, according to research.

LASIK has over 30 years of clinical data on long-term results, accuracy, and safety. There also have been more than 6,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers on this type of procedure and its less commonly performed variants.

What does LASIK surgery involve?

LASIK involves creating a small flap in the patient’s cornea and then folding it back to expose the underlying corneal tissue. The tissue is then reshaped using a laser and the corneal flap is replaced after the right amount of tissue has been removed.

For the patient's safety and peace of mind, the laser used is designed to shut off if the patient's eye makes any sudden movements that could lead to injury or error.

When it comes to pain, the eyes will be numbed with anaesthetic drops, so patients won’t feel a thing during the surgery. There may be some discomfort once the anaesthesia wears off.

A standard LASIK procedure takes about less than 20 minutes for both eyes. The eyes will start to heal as soon as the surgery is over, allowing patients to get back to their everyday routines as soon as possible.

What are the possible side effects? How common are they?

Dry eyes, ghosting, glares, halos, and starbursts are the most common LASIK side effects patients experience post-surgery.

As with any medical procedure, these side effects are normal and part of the normal healing and recovery process. They will naturally go away in just a few days.

According to peer-reviewed LASIK journals, only 30% of patients experience dry eye symptoms in the first three months. Meanwhile, less than five per cent would end up needing additional LASIK treatments to smoothen out any issues.

What are common LASIK complications?

More often than not, reports on LASIK complications are designed to alarm you, not inform you. It’s also important to know that side effects and complications are two different things.

Complications are serious, but in the world of LASIK, they’re much less common than side effects, occurring in less than one per cent of the patients.

For comparison, up to 30 per cent of LASIK patients report experiencing short-term side effects, so in sum, LASIK complications are extremely rare events.

How to Maximise LASIK safety?

To improve the likelihood of a safe, complication-free LASIK procedure, you need to choose a skilled surgeon with years of experience under their belt. Check their track record to see how many patients have required additional procedures after their treatment. If you’d like, you can also read up on patient reviews to understand how their LASIK procedure went, how they found the surgeon, and whether or not there were complications to their recovery.

And to reduce the risk of infection post-surgery, avoid exercising, swimming and showering in the early days. It’s also strongly recommended that you avoid dusty environments for at least seven days after the procedure.