An informed decision starts with the full picture
LASIK Risks and Side Effects
Explore the possible side effects and complications of LASIK, the role of screening, and the questions to ask before choosing vision correction.
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The short answer: LASIK can reduce dependence on glasses or contacts, but it carries risks. Possible effects include dry eyes, glare, halos, fluctuating vision and residual prescription. Less common complications can threaten vision or require additional treatment. Screening and follow-up help manage risk, but no technology or surgeon can promise a complication-free result.
DecisionBenefits + risks
ScreeningPersonal risk factors
ExpectationsNo guaranteed result
Side effects and complications are different discussions
A side effect can be bothersome even when surgery proceeds as planned. Dryness, nighttime halos or variable sharpness may affect reading, screen work and driving. Some effects improve with healing; others can persist and require ongoing care.
A complication is a problem that may need additional evaluation or treatment, such as infection, significant inflammation, a flap problem or corneal weakening. The distinction does not tell you how to manage symptoms on your own. A concerning change should be assessed by the surgical team.
Ask the surgeon to describe both categories in language that relates to your life. The ability to read a vision chart does not capture every aspect of contrast, comfort or nighttime visual quality.
Potential effects to discuss before surgery
| Issue | What it can mean | Discussion before treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Dry eyes | Burning, irritation or fluctuating focus. | Baseline symptoms, tear-film findings and treatment needs. |
| Glare, halos or starbursts | Light-related symptoms, especially at night. | Night-driving demands and existing visual symptoms. |
| Residual prescription | Distance correction may remain necessary. | Expected range of outcomes and options if the target is missed. |
| Fluctuating vision | Sharpness can change during healing. | Follow-up plan and when changes should be reported. |
| Reduced visual quality | Vision may be less satisfactory in some conditions. | Contrast, best-corrected vision and individual risk factors. |
Not every person experiences these effects, and the severity differs. Ask for outcomes relevant to patients with eyes like yours, including how symptoms were measured and how long they were followed. A percentage without context is not a personal prediction.
Less common but important complications
LASIK involves a corneal flap and laser reshaping. Flap-related problems, infection, inflammation and corneal ectasia are among the complications the surgeon should explain. Some problems require further treatment; severe cases can lead to lasting visual loss.
Ectasia describes progressive corneal weakening and shape change. Corneal mapping and tissue assessment are important parts of reducing this risk. A normal screening result lowers uncertainty but cannot make risk zero.
Ask who handles urgent concerns, how to reach the team after hours and whether additional treatment is included in your financial agreement. Understanding the response plan is a practical part of consent.
How candidacy screening helps
Screening considers prescription stability, corneal shape and thickness, the tear film, pupil-related measurements, eye health, medical history and the proposed correction. Contact lens effects or an unstable ocular surface can make measurements less reliable and may require reassessment.
Tell the doctor about all medications, previous eye procedures, injuries, pregnancy or nursing, relevant systemic conditions and family eye history. Do not hide a symptom to qualify for a procedure. Being advised to wait or avoid LASIK can be an appropriate outcome of a careful evaluation.
Read the PRK guide and EVO ICL overview if alternatives are raised. Each has different risks and eligibility requirements. A different procedure does not remove the need for informed consent.
Symptoms after LASIK that need prompt attention
Call the surgical team promptly for severe pain, sudden or worsening vision, an eye injury, increasing redness or discharge, or any urgent symptom listed in your instructions. Seek urgent eye care if you cannot reach the team. Do not wait for an online answer or your next routine visit.
Follow the prescribed drop schedule and protection instructions. Do not rub the eyes, stop medication early or restart an old prescription without guidance. Keep scheduled examinations even if you feel that vision has improved.
Persistent dryness, halos or fluctuating focus also deserve discussion, even when they are not an emergency. The team needs to know how symptoms affect your daily tasks, especially night driving and safety-sensitive work.
Questions that support informed consent
- What makes my eyes suitable for the proposed LASIK treatment?
- Which findings increase my risk compared with an average candidate?
- How might surgery affect my existing dry-eye or nighttime symptoms?
- What outcome is realistic with and without glasses?
- What happens if I have residual prescription or an unexpected complication?
- What are the benefits and risks of postponing surgery or choosing another option?
- Who will examine me after surgery and respond to urgent concerns?
NY LASIK offers Contoura Vision LASIK and other vision-correction services. Customized planning still requires individualized risk assessment. Review consent information before the procedure date and allow time for unanswered questions.
LASIK does not stop age-related near-vision changes or prevent cataracts. Continue routine eye care after surgery and tell future clinicians about your treatment, including when planning cataract surgery later in life.
New York, NY · Three locations
Plan your visit in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens
NY LASIK offers consultations and follow-up care across New York City. Choose the office that fits your commute and discuss where your testing, procedure and postoperative visits will take place. Confirm the location of each appointment when you schedule.
For Manhattan commuters, Brooklyn residents and patients traveling from Queens or elsewhere in NY, planning transportation is part of preparation. Arrange an escort when your care team requests one, and ask whether dilation will affect your trip home.
Frequently asked questions
Is LASIK risk-free?
No. LASIK has potential side effects and complications, including persistent visual symptoms and, in some cases, serious vision problems. Screening and follow-up cannot eliminate all risk.
Can LASIK cause permanent dry eye?
Persistent dryness is possible. Baseline ocular-surface health and individual healing matter. Discuss current symptoms and the plan for managing dryness before surgery.
Will halos always disappear?
No. Halos and glare can improve during healing, but may persist. Tell the surgeon about existing night-vision problems and your nighttime driving needs.
Can LASIK make my vision worse?
A complication or an unsatisfactory visual outcome can worsen vision, including vision with correction in some cases. Ask the surgeon to explain the risks relevant to your eyes.
Is an enhancement guaranteed if I still need glasses?
No. Additional treatment depends on stability, the cause of the remaining blur, corneal health and available tissue. Financial policies also vary.
Does Contoura remove all LASIK risks?
No. Contoura is a customized LASIK approach and retains the need for screening, informed consent and postoperative care.
What symptoms should I report urgently?
Severe pain, sudden or worsening vision, an eye injury, increasing redness or discharge should prompt contact with the surgical team. Follow your specific emergency instructions.
Can I discuss risks before deciding to schedule?
Yes. A consultation should include your goals, examination findings, realistic outcomes, risks and alternatives. You can take time to consider the recommendation.
Sources and patient education
This guide provides general education. Your examination and your surgeon’s instructions determine the options and recovery plan appropriate for your eyes.
- FDA: LASIK risks and choosing a surgeon
- FDA: When is LASIK not for me?
- FDA: Before, during and after LASIK
Hero image: AI-generated editorial illustration; not an actual patient or procedure.
Your next step
Make a plan for your vision
Discuss your questions and options with NY LASIK in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens.