What Are the Side Effects of Laser Eye Surgery?

In general, eye laser surgery is a very successful procedure used to correct a range of vision problems. For many people, it presents a great option for improving longsighted, shortsighted and astigmatism.

But, like any procedure, laser eye surgery has its risks. There are a range of possible side effects that you should be aware of before committing to it, especially if you already have underlying eye conditions.

Note that you should always speak with your surgeon about the possible side effects of your specific surgery. In this article we’ve explored some common problems that can occur, but everyone is different. As always, the following is meant for informational purposes only.

The possible side effects of laser eye surgery include:

Vision Problems

In rare cases, laser eye surgery can actually result in a range of long-term vision problems. Things like increased glare, halos and double vision can occur, especially at night or when around bright lights.

Similarly, you might find that you’re suffering from reduced vision in poor light conditions. This can make it difficult to drive at night or in foggy/misty conditions.

The good news is that these problems usually disappear within a few days or weeks. If they don’t you definitely need to speak with your surgeon at a follow-up appointment.

Dry Eyes

At the same time, laser eye surgery can damage your eyes and cause a decrease in tear production. This is quite common, and can result in dry eyes for up to six months after your surgery.

Fortunately, there are numerous ways to combat this, including eye drops and another simple procedure to prevent tears draining away from your eyes.

Regression

In some cases, laser eye surgery can be effective at the beginning, but not in the long-term. Although rare, it is possible for your vision to slowly return to the way it was before surgery, so it’s important to be aware of this.

Over or Under Corrections

Since eye surgeons are human, it’s more than possible for them to make small mistakes. This is a very real risk, and over or undercorrection can occur as a result.

Basically, this can actually result in you needing further surgery to correct the problem. The good news is that over and under corrections are usually fixable.

Vision Loss

It’s also possible for surgical complications to cause a complete loss of vision. Although extremely uncommon, this is a very real risk that you need to be aware of. Once again, your surgeon will be able to advise you on the likelihood of you experiencing vision loss, but in general the risk is so small that it’s not worth worrying about.

Final Word

Ultimately, all surgery comes with the risk of adverse side effects. Laser eye surgery is no different. Most side effects are short-term, but make sure that you’re aware of the fact that there is a small chance that your vision could be worse after the surgery than before.