A Few Words To Patients Who Underwent LASIK And Are Now Experiencing Floaters In Addition To Vision Loss
If you underwent LASIK surgery, the risk of floaters (also known as vitreous floaters) will always be there, even years after having undergone this surgery. When a patient undergoes LASIK, the pressure within the eye is increased dramatically for a brief period of time. This has to be done in order to create the LASIK flap. When the procedure is finished, the pressure within the eye is lowered to it's normal status. However, the internal ocular tissues can be "shaken up" during the LASIK procedure. Many years later, the liquid-gel interior of the eye known as the vitreous, can break down or pull away from the retina causing the patient to notice flashing lights and/ or floaters. If you notice this it is very important that an appointment with a fellowship trained retina specialist is made as soon as possible. A dilated fundus (retinal) examination will need to be done along with an evaluation with an instrument known as an Ocular Coherence Tomographer. This technology will allow the retinal specialist to evaluate all of the layers of the retina to make sure that the interior tissues are intact and that no retinal tear or detachment is present. If the floaters become too pronounced for you to function visually, your retina specialist may be able to help you. The main point that I want to make here is not to delay in making the appointment with the retina specialist.
.
Dr. Morris Waxler led the clinical trials at FDA when LASIK was approved. Dr. Waxler now says on his website, 
