What Are the Most Likely Complications to Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery can correct the vision of many who wear glasses. The surgery often seems like a magic solution to vision problems, but potential complications do exist.

Correction Complications

• With laser eye surgery there is a chance your eyesight can be over- or under-corrected. Not everyone can achieve 20/20 vision. Every cornea is different, so complications occur. Over-correction normally stabilizes within 1-3 months and is rarely permanent. If it is permanent, you will have to wear glasses occasionally. Under-correction can be treated with more laser eye surgery or by wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Temporary Results

• Vision correction is not always permanent, particularly if you are farsighted. You may have to wear glasses down the road. Laser eye surgery is relatively new, and all the long-term results have not been documented.

Vision Complications

• Possible vision complications include double vision, glare, night myopia, blurring, and halos. Glares, night myopia and halos greatly affect nighttime vision.

Dry Eye and Astigmatism

• You can get induced astigmatism during surgery. Astigmatism is when the cornea is a slightly different shape than normal and it can occur if the laser warps the cornea. This will make wearing contact lenses more difficult. Laser eye surgery can also cause dry eye symptoms which may worsen over time and become permanent.

Infection

• As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection with laser eye surgery. Eye infections can cause cornea scarring--or loss of vision--if left untreated.