Is laser vision correction covered by a warranty?

More and more frequently, our patients ask us whether there is a warranty on laser vision correction procedures and, if we offer a warranty, how long it lasts. What do patients have in mind when they ask this question and what would such a warranty actually be supposed to cover? We will make an attempt to explain everything as comprehensively as possible in this article.

What is a warranty?

The warranty is provided voluntarily by the entity providing services or dealing with the production/ sale of goods, for any period of time. Usually, the warranty goes hand in hand with certain conditions which have to be met in order to maintain or use it.

It is adequate in case of the sales of goods, as a guarantee of their operation for some minimum, specified period of time. In case of medical services the term „warranty” is not used.

In accordance with the regulations currently in force in Poland, the responsibility for any treatment is based on the principle of due diligence, both during the process of diagnosis and treatment. The doctor and the medical entity in which the procedure is performed are not entitled to "give a guarantee" of achieving a specific result of treatment.

The doctor always takes action to achieve the best possible result. Such a rule applies in all fields of medicine - in cardiology, oncology, dermatology or ophthalmology alike. Each patient, due to their individual features, can achieve a different effect of treatment with the same procedure, and the task of the doctor is to strive for the best possible result of treatment.

Is it possible to guarantee a specific effect of correction permanently?

First of all – nearly the most important issue is the accuracy of the measurements taken during the preliminary qualifying examination and the accurate diagnosis, as well as the exclusion of potential contraindications (provided that the patient reliably completes the questionnaire regarding their state of health) which could contribute to possible complications.

Secondly – it is necessary for the refractive error to be stable. If it is still in the progressing phase (e.g. every year the patient requires lenses which are 0,5-1,0 dioptre stronger), the patient will be temporarily disqualified for in such case a laser vision correction will not bring the expected permanent results.

Laser vision correction and presbyopia

It is worth bearing in mind the fact that approximately after the age of 45 everyone develops presbyopia. It is a natural, progressing physiological process in the body, which occurs regardless of whether a person has had a laser vision correction surgery or not. Presbyopia manifests itself with a need to use glasses for close-up activities (e.g. for reading a newspaper or working on a computer).

What is responsible for the deterioration of close vision is the intraocular lens, which loses its elasticity with age. Laser correction treatment, on the other hand, is performed on the surface of the cornea and consists in its appropriate modelling with a laser beam, so that the breaking rays of light focus exactly on the retina, which enables sharp vision.

What can a clinic guarantee to the patient?

Some clinics offer their patients a guarantee of good vision, for instance by promising second treatment free of charge in order to achieve a finally satisfactory effect. Usually, the condition for maintaining the guarantee is, for example, showing up for designated, paid control visits, and absence at even one of them deprives the patient of using the guarantee.

What it most likely means is an additional enhancement surgery, which is one of the elements of the treatment process. If there is some little refractive error remaining after the laser vision correction procedure, an ophthalmic surgeon may decide to perform an enhancement surgery. Naturally, such a procedure is only possible if the current parameters of the cornea, especially its thickness, allow for another surgical procedure. Such situations happen extremely rarely and although the number of enhancement surgeries is not limited – usually maximum one procedure is expected. In the ArtLife Ophthalmologic Centre the average number of enhancement surgeries performed within the last three years constitutes 1.1% of all correction procedures performed during this time.

The necessity of performing an enhancement procedure does not mean that the first surgery was unsuccessful. The doctor is obliged to conduct his duties with the utmost care and conscientiousness so as to achieve the best possible postoperative effect. After the surgery everything depends on whether the patient follows the postoperative guidelines and adhere to temporary restrictions (for up to a month after the procedure).

Laser vision correction guarantees a significant improvement of visual acuity immediately after the procedure, since this type of surgical intervention involves changing the corneal shape, which directly affects visual acuity. It may take up to a few weeks after the surgery before the visual acuity fully stabilises and the desired result is obtained, and in case of severe refractive error or astigmatism – up to six months. The final effect depends on such factors as the severity of the refractive error, accompanying amblyopia, individual patient’s features, their general health condition, habits and age (e.g. whether they have already developed presbyopia or not).

During a preliminary qualifying examination each candidate for a laser vision correction procedure can see the predicted final result at the stage of choosing the suitable correction. Only after receiving all the necessary information regarding the surgery, the convalescence period and alternative correction methods, the patient signs an informed consent form, hence agreeing to undergo the laser vision correction procedure performed by the same doctor who conducts the preliminary examination.

In the ArtLife Ophthalmologic Centre we guarantee the highest quality of services, state-of-the-art equipment and experience of our specialists. We have been providing our services with due diligence and utmost care for the patients’ health since 2007.

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