Lasik Halo Effect

If you are considering Lasik surgery, you need to be aware of potential side effects. Although most side effects, such as light sensitivity and discomfort, fade after the surgery, some patients have stated that they experience distorted version when looking at lighted objects, according to Alcon, a leading provider of eye care resources. This occurrence has been referred to as a halo or starburst effect.

Identification

• The halo effect is a term used to describe the way that lighted objects look to a person who has had Lasik surgery. When looking at an object, it will appear as though a halo of light is surrounding it. This issue particularly occurs at night, and the patient is likely to experience night vision difficulties in addition to the halo effect.

Significance

• A person who undergoes Lasik surgery may experience a halo effect afterwards for several reasons. Potential causes may include that you have remaining myopia that has not been corrected with the surgery or you have large pupils. Remaining myopia happens when the surgery has not completely corrected the refractive error. Patients with large pupils have a pupil size that doctors consider larger than the normal range. Also, if the person had extremely poor vision prior to the surgery that required a large surgical cut, he is more likely to have a halo effect following the procedure. Another potential cause of the halo effect is the corneal swelling that occurs after the operation is complete.

Time Frame

• In many cases, the halo effect experienced by patients following Lasik surgery is temporary and fades as the eyes heal. The halo effect may no longer occur after several weeks of recovery following the surgery.

Solution

• You may need a repeat surgery if the halo effect does not go away after a few weeks of recovery. However, medicated eye drops may be prescribed to try to alleviate the problem before surgery is recommended. In the meantime, you may want to limit certain activities that may prove difficult, such as nighttime driving.

Considerations

• Your doctor will let you know your chances for the halo effect before you go through with Lasik surgery. Make sure you find out whether you are at an increased risk. After taking measurements of your pupil as well as looking at the correction needed, your doctor can advise you as to whether the halo effect may affect you.