LASIK reshapes the cornea to enhance vision, with rapid improvement in most people. But your eyes heal a process that can take weeks to months before all the changes stabilize for real. Symptoms are generally a recovery function, not a serious complication. Very few patients may have actual surgical complications like infection or flap issues, but these are exceedingly rare.
Common Side Effects and Timeline
Some common side effects of LASIK are:
Dry Eyes
Almost every patient having LASIK will have some degree of dryness afterward. This is due to temporary disruption of corneal nerves that regulate tear production. Symptoms may be the feeling of scratchiness, burning, or infrequent blurred vision. Discomfort usually reaches its maximum in the first few days and gradually disappears. The majority of people find relief between the ages of three to six months, but in a few cases, minor dryness persists for up to a year. Artificial tears, omega-3 supplements, and aftercare can treat this easily.
Halos, Glare, and Starbursts
Night halos, starbursts, or glare are typical in most patients after LASIK. These symptoms are transient and disappear as the cornea heals. They most often happen in a few days and are most commonly observed with nighttime driving or in dim lights. For most patients, these vision disturbances clear up in a few weeks and are never permanent. Halos that occur longer than three months are uncommon but occasionally require additional evaluation or enhancement.
Blurry or Fluctuating Vision
Some blurriness or fluctuating vision is to be expected as the eyes accommodate. Although vision will tend to clear up within several days, full stabilization may require several weeks. This is normal healing because the cornea continues to heal and accommodate new input from the brain. In some cases, temporary corrective glasses are used for sharper vision while the eyes are in their adjusting phase.
Light Sensitivity, Double Vision, and Ghosting
Increased sensitivity to light or vision of double images can be experienced in the first weeks. These are normally corrected as the eyes heal. Avoidance of bright or direct light and protective sunglasses can prevent this during recovery.
Flap-Related Problems (Rear Complications)
A corneal flap of thin tissue is formed during LASIK. In very rare occasions, flap folds or displacement may occur. These are rare but need to be addressed early in order not to cause persisting alterations in vision. Surgeons monitor this in follow-ups very closely.
Infection, Corneal Ectasia, and Other Serious Issues
More serious complications like infection or ectasia of the cornea (bulging of the cornea) are extremely rare. The risk is below 1% if surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon and proper follow-up care is adopted. These conditions need to be identified and addressed early to prevent long-term vision issues.
Read Also: 5 Reasons to Consider Contoura LASIK for Your Eye Surgery
Managing LASIK Side Effects
Dry Eyes
- Use preservative-free artificial tears on a regular basis, especially within the first three months.
- Consider omega-3 supplements like fish oil to reduce inflammation and improve tear quality.
- Punctal plugs may be recommended by your surgeon to maintain natural tears in case of severe dryness.
- Avoid smoky, dusty, or very dry environments, and have a humidifier at home.
Halos and Glare
- These visual symptoms tend to heal and become better with time as the cornea heals.
- Avoid night driving if vision is irritating during the first few weeks.
- Anti-reflective coated glasses may lessen glare for night driving.
- If halos continue after six months, enhancement surgery or other fixative methods might be recommended.
Blurry or Fluctuating Vision
- Wait it out—clarity of vision often improves steadily over weeks.
- Don’t strain your eyes by limiting long hours on the computer in the initial days.
- Keep all post-op visits so your surgeon can monitor progress and respond to any issues.
Light Sensitivity and Ghosting
- Wear protective sunglasses when outdoors to reduce discomfort caused by intense sunlight.
- Use low indoor lighting as much as possible during the initial week of recovery.
- Double vision or ghosting typically decreases with diminishing swelling of the cornea, but recurring symptoms need to be evaluated.
Prevention of Flap Complications
- Do not rub your eyes during the first week after surgery.
- Sleep with protective eye shields to avoid accidental bumping.
- Follow all post-surgical instructions carefully and return for follow-up visits.
Infection Prevention
- Employ all prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops as ordered.
- Keep your hands washed and do not touch your eyes unnecessarily.
- Immediately report any redness, pain, or discharge.
Read Also: WaveLight Plus in Mumbai, India: The Future of LASIK Eye Surgery
Healing Timeline
- Day 0–1: There is often mild discomfort, watery eyes, and blurry vision. Rest your eyes and do not rub them.
- Days 2–7: Dryness and mild glare or halos usually start. Apply artificial tears often and adhere to medication regimens.
- Week 2–4: Vision is more distinct, with reduced glare and night-vision effects. Some dryness persists.
- 1–3 months: Most side effects, such as halos and dry eyes, start to noticeably improve substantially. Vision stabilizes.
- 3–6 months: Most patients achieve optimal resolution of side effects by this time.
- 6–12 months: Very mild night-vision effects or dry eyes may periodically persist but are controlled.
Read Also: Summer Eye Surgery: Myths Vs. Facts You Should Know
Long-Term Outlook
LASIK is a permanent alteration of your cornea, but age-related presbyopia and other natural changes in vision can still occur. The vast majority of patients achieve 20/20 or better with LASIK. Serious long-term complications such as chronic dry eyes or nighttime disturbances are rare for most patients.
Regular eye examinations can keep your eyes healthy. In rare instances of side effects, treatments such as correction lenses, eye drops, or surgical enhancement are provided.
Read Also: How to Improve Eyesight Naturally? Eye Care Tips
When to Get Medical Help
Consult your eye doctor immediately if you have:
- Sudden or worsening pain
- Redness or unusual discharge that’s worsening
- Significant loss of vision or new vision issues
- Persistent glare or halos beyond the expected healing time
- Flap displacement or unusual discomfort during the first week
Preparation for LASIK
The best way to reduce side effects is through adequate pre-surgical testing. Ensure your prescription has leveled off for at least one year before surgery. Let your surgeon know of any dry eye, corneal thinning, or autoimmune disease history. Wavefront-guided or topography-guided surgery minimizes visual disturbances like halos and glare with additional improvement through newer LASIK technology.
Self-Care Checklist
- Use artificial tears without preservatives regularly.
- Blink frequently, particularly while viewing a screen.
- Wear sunglasses outside to shield healing eyes.
- Stay away from smoky or dusty places.
- Use your prescribed eye drop regimen.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially within the first week.
- Avoid heavy exercise or swimming until your doctor clears you.
- Keep all follow-up appointments for checking.
- Immediately report any unusual symptoms.
Conclusion
Most LASIK side effects are temporary and a normal function of recovery. Dryness and glare are the most frequent but typically resolve with time when properly maintained. Rare, severe complications are exceedingly uncommon, as long as the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon.
Patience, careful aftercare, and regular follow-ups are the key to quick recovery. Over 90% of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better following LASIK, and that is why it is one of the most successful and sought-after vision correction surgery today.
