Is LASIK 100% Safe?

How Safe is LASIK Eye Surgery? 

LASIK is a popular laser eye surgery chosen by many as it is quick, safe, and effective. Nevertheless, people often wonder if LASIK is completely safe. While it is generally safe, potential risks include dry eyes, glare, halos, under-correction or overcorrection, and, in rare cases, infection. 

It is important to know both the benefits and the potential side effects before making the decision. Consulting a trusted and experienced eye surgeon can assist you in making the right decision.

What is LASIK?

LASIK ('laser in-situ keratomileusis') is a type of laser eye surgery that allows people whose sight is poor not to wear glasses or contact lenses to see better. During the procedure, the eye doctor will use a specialised laser to reshape the cornea. The cornea is the front part of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina. 

An irregularly shaped cornea can lead to blurry vision. LASIK helps fix this by reshaping the cornea, allowing for better focus. Most people, however, have better vision within a day, and this is a pretty quick surgery, only a few minutes. LASIK is fast, safe, and gives great results, and many people prefer LASIK.

Is Laser Eye Surgery 100% Safe?

Laser eye surgery, however, such as LASIK, is quite safe for most people. For LASIK, the majority of doctors use advanced tools and follow strict regulations. The problem is that most patients see better and do not have any serious problems. But, no surgical procedure is entirely without risk.

 
As you might contemplate, some people have side effects, even dry eyes, glare, or blurry vision. Usually, these go away in time. Some will even require a second treatment or still require glasses. However, it is important to talk with a good eye doctor before the surgery. Go for LASIK surgery only if the eye surgeon ensures that the eyes are healthy, and choosing LASIK will be beneficial.

Risks and Complications of LASIK Surgery

Similar to any medical procedure, there are certain risks and complications of LASIK surgery. Patients must be aware of those potential issues before choosing to undergo LASIK. Here are the risks and complications:

• Dry Eyes: Dry eyes are one of the common side effects of LASIK, and it typically resolves with time and the proper use of eye drops.
• Fluctuations in Vision: In some cases, vision can fluctuate before stabilising to the desired level of clarity. 
• Halos and Glare: Some patients might experience halos and glare, especially while driving and reading at night. These symptoms, however, can improve over a period of a few months. 
• Under-correction and Overcorrection: In rare cases, full vision correction may not be performed. This can be addressed through an enhancement procedure. 
• Infection: Though rare, infection can happen with LASIK. Strictly adhering to post-surgery care instructions can help minimise the risk.  

Can You Blink During LASIK?

A common query among potential LASIK patients persists,i.e., whether the outcome of the surgery will be affected if they accidentally move or blink their eyes during the procedure. This concern is understandable as a patient stays awake during laser eye surgery. However, with advanced medical technologies, surgeons are able to keep their eyes steady, which ensures optimal results. 

Realising the Effect of Blinking During LASIK

Some involuntary eye movements during the surgery will not cause any problems. Additionally, any movement outside the laser's tracking range will automatically result in a halt of the procedure. 

During the surgery, your ophthalmologist will cover one eye and ask you to look towards a red or green flashing light with the eye that needs to be corrected for vision. Before starting, they will use anaesthetic eye drops to bring in a calming sensation so the patient does not have the urge to blink. 

Next, your eyelashes will be taped away using special adhesive drapes, and a gentle retainer will hold the eyelids open. Therefore, if a patient is still urged to blink, it will not cause any problems. 

Does LASIK Change Eye Colour?

Many assume LASIK changes eye colour, but this is a common misconception. LASIK reshapes your cornea to correct refractive errors, improving how light focuses on the retina for clearer vision. Your eye colour, however, depends on the iris, which sits behind the cornea and contains melanin—the pigment responsible for colour. 

Since LASIK does not interact with the iris or affect its pigment or structure, it cannot alter eye colour. The procedure is limited to the corneal surface and does not reach deeper structures involved in colour formation. Any perceived colour change post-surgery is usually due to reduced glare or improved clarity, not an actual shift in pigmentation.

What LASIK can affect is:

• Your reliance on glasses or contacts
• Visual clarity and sharpness
• Light sensitivity during healing

If someone notices a change in eye colour after LASIK, it could be due to lighting, pupil size, or unrelated medical conditions, not the surgery itself. Always consult your ophthalmologist for clarity. 

Impact of Laser Eye Surgery on Colour Perception

Many reports have repeatedly revealed that laser eye surgery can permanently alter colour vision. However, you should know the basis of the claim. 

Colour perception is normally felt by the interaction of the retina in the eye, light and the human brain. Specific cells in the retina, referred to as cones, respond to the varying wavelengths of light. 

Three types of cones are present in the human eye retina, each one meant to receive a particular colour. 

• S-cones: These cells react to shorter wavelengths of light (blue)
• M-cones: This part of the retina reacts to medium wavelengths (green)
• L-cones: They react to long wavelengths (red)

When the incident light falls on these cones, they form electrical signals. The optic nerve sends these signals to the brain, where it further processes them into different colour perceptions.

While LASIK alters the shape of the cornea to improve vision, it does not affect the retina or the cone cells, making changes to colour perception highly unlikely. 

Does LASIK Impact Colour Vision? 

Colour perception is generally unaffected by laser eye surgeries such as LASIK, Trans-PRK, and Femto-LASIK. These procedures focus on reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors and do not involve the colour-sensing structures (cones in the retina) or the neural pathways for colour vision.

Who Can Choose LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery is a famous treatment for correcting vision, but it might not be suitable for everyone. Understanding who should opt for this surgery is crucial to ensure safety, effectiveness and long-term success. 

Here are the eligibility criteria for those who can opt for LASIK surgery:

• The individual should be at least 18 years of age or older, as prescriptions usually stabilise after attaining this age.
• A diagnosed refractive error is required. 
• If there is a problem with dry eye, it needs to be corrected before the procedure.
• Individuals with a history of corneal diseases like keratoconus, whether past or active, are not suitable candidates for LASIK surgery.
• Changes in hormones during pregnancy and nursing can impact vision. Hence, doctors do not prescribe LASIK during this period.

How Long After LASIK Can I See?

Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a very common refractive eye surgery to correct vision abnormalities such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The most frequently asked question from patients before surgery is: "How long after LASIK will I see clearly?". 

Well, the time to clear vision varies based on factors like individual healing rates, the extent of vision correction needed, and adherence to post-surgery care. However, the majority of individuals start to see enhanced vision in the first 24 hours.

Immediate Visual Changes After Surgery

Vision improvement for most patients starts a few hours after having the LASIK operation. A few people notice significant clarity as soon as the operation is completed. However, this initial vision is hazy or slightly cloudy, like looking through a thin film or frosted glass. 

This is a normal part of the recovery process. Within 6 to 12 hours, vision stabilises, and most patients report significant improvement compared to their pre-surgery vision. 

During the first 24 to 48 hours, patients may experience temporary side effects, including:

●  Light sensitivity
●  Mild irritation or gritty feeling
●  Halos or starbursts around lights, particularly during nighttime
●  Fluctuating vision clarity

Vision in the First Week

After one day, most individuals can see adequately enough to accomplish most activities without glasses or contacts. Some feel comfortable resuming work or driving the next day, yet it is best to wait for the eye surgeon to indicate that vision is stabilised and safe. Vision still improves over the first week. 

Some people can expect a slight variation in clarity, particularly when they are tired or in dim light. These changes are usually within the healing process.

Full Visual Recovery Timeline

Even though LASIK has a quick result, full visual stabilisation could take a few weeks to several months, depending on the nature of the vision correction and on individual healing times. Generally:

• First 24 to 48 hours: Sizable improvement; some blur or visual artefacts remain.
• 1 week: Most patients have working day-to-day vision with little pain during the first week.
• 1 to 3 months: Vision further sharpens; night vision and contrast sensitivity increase.
• 3 to 6 months: Outcome is usually attained; dry eyes and other side effects typically resolve.

Individuals with larger prescriptions or correcting astigmatism may take a little longer to attain a stable outcome.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

Regular follow-up visits with the eye surgeon are necessary to check for healing and changes in vision. These usually take place:
The day following surgery

●  1 week
●  1 month
●  3 months
●  And as necessary thereafter

These visits ensure that the eyes are healing well and that no complications, including dry eye or inflammation, are arising.

Does LASIK Hurt Night Vision?

No, LASIK typically does not cause any permanent pain or damage to your night vision. Some folks might experience temporary changes, such as glare, halos, or starbursts around lights when it is dark. These effects are just part of the healing journey and usually fade away within a few weeks or months. In rare instances, some issues might linger a bit longer, but they can often be handled with proper follow-up care.

What Changes Might You Notice at Night?

After LASIK, the eye needs time to heal. During this period, some people report difficulty seeing clearly in dim or low-light environments. Common temporary symptoms include:

• Halos: Rings of light around bright sources like headlights or streetlamps.
• Glare: Light scatter that can make it harder to focus.
• Starbursts: Bright points of light that seem to spread out in all directions.

These are usually mild and go away on their own as healing continues.

Why Do These Effects Happen?

Changes in night vision after LASIK often occur because of:

• Corneal healing: The reshaped cornea takes time to stabilise and may not bend light perfectly right away
• Pupil Size: In the dark, pupils expand. If they become larger than the area treated during surgery, some light may enter through the untreated edges, causing visual distortions.
• Tear Film Disruption: Dry eyes after LASIK can also lead to blurry or unclear vision, especially at night

Who Is More Likely to Face These Issues?

Not everyone has the same experience. The following factors can increase the chance of night vision side effects:

• Very high prescriptions
• Naturally large pupils
• Thin corneas or existing eye conditions
• Dry eyes before surgery

However, an eye surgeon checks all of these during the consultation to make sure LASIK is suitable for you.

How Long Do These Symptoms Last?

For most people:

• Mild symptoms disappear within a few weeks
• Full night vision recovery takes about 3 to 6 months
• Persistent issues may need additional treatment or enhancement procedures

Regular follow-up appointments help track healing and ensure all concerns are addressed early.

Things to Consider Before Choosing LASIK Surgery

Before choosing a LASIK surgery, make sure to consider the following factors:

• Cost: Undergoing LASIK is a significant investment. The cost of LASIK surgery in India differs depending on the type of procedure and clinic. Standard LASIK ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 55,000 per eye, while advanced procedures like Contoura Vision can cost between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 1,20,000 per eye.
• Reputation of Clinic: Select a clinic consisting of highly experienced surgeons with a record of successful procedures.
• Long-Term Results: LASIK usually provides permanent results. Undergoing any age-related changes, such as presbyopia, might need reading glasses later on. 

LASIK is a very safe and effective eye surgery for most people. The procedure is often enjoyed by many patients who have little or no problems and enjoy clear vision. But there is no such thing as a risk-free surgery. 

For some, the side effects could be mild, and for some, a few may need further treatment. A good set of eyes is important, and you should follow your doctor's advice. It is a life-changing solution for better vision in as much as it can be done with the right care and guidance.