Contoura Vision is a type of LASIK surgery. But it goes a step beyond that. You will get a unique mapping of the eye from Contoura. The shape of your eye will be recorded from 22,000 points.
The laser uses pinpoint precision for a properly guided topography scan. It means every minor error on the surface of your eye will be entered as a data point for treatment. Yet, like any other surgery, it has some risks involved. You need to keep in mind a few side effects before going under the knife.
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What Exactly is the Procedure? Common Side Effects After Contoura Vision Surgery
Contoura Vision is a topography scan-guided LASIK procedure. The tech corrects microscopic corneal irregularities. So, you will get eye assistance beyond your glasses power. Say goodbye to any type of visual distortion.
This level of precision indeed carries a layer of risk. You can always measure the pros and cons before coming to any type of conclusion.
Some Common Side Effects are
Dry Eyes
- This is the most often reported side effect post-Contoura.
- The surgery cuts corneal nerves to create a flap.
- This temporarily reduces the eye’s ability to sense when lubrication is needed.
- Naturally, this leads to less tear production, so your eyes will feel scratchy and irritated and at times even look red.
Halos, Glare and Starbursts
- You may notice halos around lights.
- Glare effect from headlights is common too.
- At night, you will see starbursts near streetlights.
- These visual disturbances happen because the healing cornea scatters light differently than pre-surgery.
Light Sensitivity
- Sunlight, fluorescent lighting and computer screens will be triggering.
- Your eyes will be sensitive to any bright light.
- Be prepared to feel discomfort while wearing protective eye wear outdoors.
- Temporary corneal swelling makes the tissues of the cornea hyper-sensitive.
- Healing time is a resetting of the newly formed cornea.
Blurred, Cloudy and Fluctuating Vision
- Your vision is bound to fluctuate and shift in the first few weeks post-Contoura.
- You may wake up with blurry sight that clears up by midday.
- You will notice constant shifts in vision throughout, like eyesight softening or sharpening.
- Your corneal tissue is healing rapidly and reshaping.
Possible Risks of Contoura Vision Surgery Patients Should Understand
Serious risks are less frequent, but they still need your attention. You can avoid any doubt or reservation by having an honest talk with the eye surgeon. Feel free to be open about your doubts. Get clarity and make an informed decision. The serious risks are listed below.
Regression
- It is the gradual return of your original glasses power post-surgery. Your cornea, over the years or at times even months, may return to the pre-surgical shape.
- This happens only to patients with long glasses powers. Rare occurrences even with young patients, as their vision keeps shifting during the time of surgery.
- It does not mean the eye surgery failed. It is a bodily response to the fix in a natural way. Enhancement procedures do treat the issue of regression. However, each new surgery is the discounting of available corneal tissue. This can lead to future cumulative risks.
Infection
- This is fairly common, as every surgical procedure carries the risk of infection. The risk is low when surgeons follow strict protocols of sterilisation and eye drops. Medications like antibiotic pills and protective eye drops are to be followed after surgery.
Infections following LASIK are rare, but if they do appear, take immediate action! The symptoms include:
- Redness
- Worsening pain
A lot of discharge
- Cloudy vision
- These symptoms may come up as randomly as they go, but do contact your surgeon no matter what. If they do persist, then it can cause serious visual damage, often irreparable. They are very rare cases, but vigilance is crucial.
Flap Complications
- There is a thin application of a corneal flap pre-surgery for laser radiation protection. It is again a very normal part of modern femtosecond laser tech used. Yet, there may be complications like:
- Buttonhole flaps
- Incomplete flaps
- Too thin flaps
- Post-Contoura surgery, the protective layer of flap is attached to the eye through a thin layer of tissue. This process can be disturbed if you rub your eyes aggressively or take a direct hit to the face.
- If you are an athlete indulging in contact sports like martial arts, you are at high risk of dislocation of this corneal flap. Then for patients involved in such professions, eye doctors suggest PRK surgery, which is a surface-based procedure.
- There is a thin application of a corneal flap pre-surgery for laser radiation protection. It is again a very normal part of modern femtosecond laser tech used. Yet, there may be complications like:
Corneal Ectasia
- A very rare case but again a serious complication. It’s the progressive weakening of the cornea that bulges out after surgery. It causes distorted vision that neither glasses nor lenses can fix. This is a higher risk among those patients who have:
- Naturally thin corneas
- Irregular topography
- Signs of keratoconus (eye disorder where cornea thins out and bulges into a cone shape instead of maintaining the normal dome shape)
- A very rare case but again a serious complication. It’s the progressive weakening of the cornea that bulges out after surgery. It causes distorted vision that neither glasses nor lenses can fix. This is a higher risk among those patients who have:
Under-fix or Over-fix
- The laser removes a precise amount of corneal tissue to correct your vision. But your eye does not heal exactly to the terms of mathematical model predictions.
- Some patients end up under-corrected. So, glasses are still required for full clarity. In other cases, the patients experience over-correction as the laser ends up erasing too much tissue.
- Surgeons will always tell you to go for mild enhancement procedures instead of a full-blown operation. Over-fixes are tricky to fix as there is a limit to the safe removal of corneal tissue. There is a greater chance of missing the target if your original glasses power is too high.
How Proper Evaluation Reduces Contoura Vision Side Effects and Risks
You can’t eliminate the risks, but take strong steps to prevent it from happening. Follow these exact steps to be in the safe zone:
Disclose everything
bring out family history, especially if there is any history of dry eyes, any autoimmune conditions, or any other medications you take. It decides your eligibility.
Choose a surgeon carefully
Look for extensive Contoura Vision surgery expertise in the work experience of the surgeon. Enquire about their enhancement rate, how they handle complications, and them coming across any rare cases.
Follow post-operative instructions seriously
You have to take care with slowly settling in with your eyes post-surgery. Use eye drops on time, wear protective eyewear, and keep follow-up appointments on schedule.
Complete a thorough evaluation
pupilsize measurements, dry eye assessment, and corneal topography are all non-negotiable tests. You should decline any clinic that tries to rush you.
Report changes sooner rather than later
If you experience pain or distortions in vision, even if it is after a few months have passed since the surgery, report it. Contact your clinic and book an appointment immediately.
Early interventions can resolve everything from major to minor issues.
Key Takeaways
Contoura Vision is the go-to surgery for well-informed and selective patients. The tech used is advanced, and that delivers high retention rates. You need to make the call if you require Contoura, as it is permanent.
Ask the tough questions. Be clear about what you require. Choose a surgeon wisely. And you can zero in on solid results from Contoura with your eyes closed, bot, literally and figuratively.
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