Potential Side Effects of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Side effects – whether of a medication or a surgical procedure – are understandably viewed with trepidation. After all, no one wants to experience nausea and vomiting, blurry vision, or even amnesia! And yet, many of us are willing to overlook these risks if the medication or procedure can help to significantly improve our quality of life, whether that be getting rid of a migraine or correcting your refractive error.

Thankfully, thanks to ongoing developments in pharmacology and technology, serious side effects are becoming increasingly uncommon. In the Laser Eye Surgery field, for example, advancements have made the procedure safer and more effective than ever before.  Even when comparing the most commonly performed procedure, LASIK, with older techniques such as PRK/LASEK, the chances of experiencing side effects have been dramatically reduced.

But that isn’t to say that side effects have been eliminated altogether. So, what potential side effects should you be aware of when having LASIK Laser Eye Surgery?

Potential Side Effects of LASIK

While there’s no danger of forgetting your name and address after having LASIK surgery, it is important to be well-informed about the potential side effects. These can include light sensitivity, halos and starbursts, dry eyes, and fluctuating vision.

So, let’s take a closer look at each of these in more detail.

Light Sensitivity

Light sensitivity is a very common side effect of LASIK, particularly in the hours immediately after the procedure. For this reason, we advise patients to keep their eyes closed as much as possible for the first few hours of their recovery. The good news is that this side effect typically subsides within around 12-24 hours.

However, it is important to remember that every patient is different. Recovery rates can vary significantly, and some sensitivity to light can stick around for a couple of weeks. Still, for most patients, this is considered a minor side effect that doesn’t hinder day-to-day life. You may wish to wear sunglasses on the day of your surgery and for a few days after.

Halos and Starbursts

Nighttime side effects are also common after Laser Eye Surgery, including halos and starbursts. These are two visual disturbances that occur when looking at bright lights, particularly in low-light conditions.

‘Halos’ appear as rings, and ‘starbursts’ are like rays of light radiating from around light sources such as street lights and car headlights. Swelling in the eye following LASIK can trigger halos and starbursts. But while this can sound a little gruesome, the swelling is not noticeable to the eye, and it is a completely natural part of the eye’s inflammatory response.

For most patients, this swelling will ease off after a few days to weeks. As the swelling subsides, nighttime side effects will also begin to resolve. In the meantime, wearing glasses while driving at night can help mitigate the effects.

Dry Eyes

It is common to experience dry eyes to some extent after Laser Eye Surgery. This is due to disruption to the tear film during the procedure. While this dryness can cause some discomfort, it is usually managed effectively with the help of lubricating eye drops, which should be provided free of charge by your clinic.

If you have persistent dry eyes prior to your treatment, your personalised treatment plan will take this into consideration. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend ReLEx SIMILE, an alternative procedure that is less invasive than LASIK. Nonetheless, for most people, post-operative dry eyes will clear up within a matter of weeks to months. In this time, it is important to follow your eye drops regime.

Fluctuating vision

Following LASIK treatment, many people will notice an immediate improvement in their vision. However, you should expect to experience some fluctuations in your vision over the coming weeks. Again, this is a common side effect of the swelling in your eyes. While these fluctuations are generally nothing to worry about, you should voice any concerns you have to a member of the clinic staff.

Most patients can expect their vision to reach optimal levels from around three months post-surgery.

If you’d like to learn more about the potential side effects after Laser Eye Surgery, get in touch with one of our friendly and knowledgeable clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if Laser Eye Surgery could be an option for you.