There are many things that can happen during Lasik
surgery. Sometimes equipment can fail or not function properly
which can lead to serious injury to the patient.
There are two types of equipment used in Lasik
procedures.
The first is a microkeratome. This device is applied
to the eye of the patient by use of a vacuum ring. Once it is secured,
an extremely sharp blade cuts a small amount of the cornea at a
specific depth determined by your surgeon.
Complications as a result of improper microkeratome
use or malfunction include:
Failure of the microkeratome to leave a “hinge”
on the corneal flap during the first incision
Loss of the corneal flap during the procedure
Loss of the corneal flap after the procedure
Slipping of the flap causing improper healing
Too deep or too shallow cuts in the flap
Surface tissue entering the cornea
Infection of the cornea
Loss of visual acuity - either from scarring or from the flap interfering
with the laser
Technical problems with the microkeratome
Some of these are easily corrected with prescription
medications, follow-up visits, or possible re-treatment using Lasik.
Others are more permanent, and they can result in serious degradation
of visual acuity.
The other device used in Lasik is the excimer
laser.
Once the flap has been cut, the excimer laser
is used to “ablate”, or disintegrate, the malformed
corneal tissue. This equipment is operated by a computer program
that tells the laser exactly how long the burst of cold, ultraviolet
light should last and where it is directed.
Problems with the laser or “bugs” in
the software controlling it can all result in post-operative complications.
Equipment fails. This is a fact of life. But who is to blame when
that inevitability occurs? There is considerable difficulty in
determining whether the practitioner’s improper use of the
equipment caused an injury or if the equipment itself is to blame.
It is usually best, if there is a problem that
occurred during your surgery, merely to fault the surgeon in your
case. Leave the suit against the equipment maker to the doctor.
After all, it is the doctor’s duty to select the best equipment
for the job and to make sure that it functions properly before
each procedure. Not all injuries are a result of equipment failure.
Sometimes the physician is at fault - for, in
the words of Alexander Pope, “to err is human.” More
often than not, however, the error is not intentional but is just
a result of the surgeon failing to follow the standards of care
set forth by his peers.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to Errors
During A Lasik Procedure, or other complications during Post
Operative Care, please contact one of our Lasik
Attorneys immediately.
