LASIK is considered a safe and effective vision correction procedure for most suitable candidates when performed after a detailed eye evaluation. The key to safety is proper patient selection, accurate pre-operative testing, and realistic expectations about outcomes.
LASIK, or laser eye surgery, was approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1996. Since then, LASIK is one of the safest elective procedures performed, worldwide. In fact, with technological advancements, and increasing experience of surgeons, LASIK today is more safe than ever before.
Dr Shibal Bhartiya is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Mayo Clinic Research Collaborator with over 25 years of experience. Her approach focuses on identifying risk before damage is irreversible, simplifying treatment decisions, and protecting vision long-term. Emphasis on early detection, risk assessment, and continuity of care. She is rated 5 stars across 1,500+ patient reviews on Google.
Is LASIK Really safe?
Here are the facts that will help you decide this for your self:
- 96% patients achieve 20/20 or 6/6 vision after surgery.
- However, some patients may require a second surgery called an enhancement or touch up.
- Some patients may not attain hundred percent vision despite enhancement.
- Less than one in hundred patients run the risk of a serious complications after or during LASIK.
- Most of the LASIK complications are self limiting or, at least, easy to treat.
What are the common side effects of laser eye surgery?
Despite data that indicates the safety of LASIK, remember, it is still a surgery. Therefore, like any other surgery, LASIK may have certain side effects and complications. As mentioned earlier, most of these side effects are usually self-limiting and innocuous.
- Dry eye: This is the most side effect, and almost all patients experience some discomfort after surgery. Patients who already have dry eyes, or are at high risk for the same (for example, patients with autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease etc) are at greater risk for developing dry eyes.
- Fluctuation of vision: Your vision may vary through the day in the initial few weeks after surgery. While this can be scary, the vision usually stabilizes over time.
- Visual disturbances like glare, halos: The incidence of these complications has decreased following the advent of better machines. However, some patients do experience glare, especially when driving at night.
Will I need glasses after LASIK?
As discussed before, 96% patients achieve 6/6 vision following laser vision correction. However, some patients may require glasses for perfect vision. However, the required power is significantly lesser than before.
If you are above the age of 40, however, you will need reading glasses. This is NOT linked to laser vision correction, and is part of normal ageing. All of us, after the age of 40 years, need glasses for near work.
This article is a part of the LASIK Hub. Please also read LASIK Recovery Timeline, Are You Fit For LASIK?, Is LASIK Safe?, Bladeless LASIK, Lasik Side Effects: Incidence and Management,
Femtosecond Lasik: Bladeless Surgery, LASIK Eye Surgery: Are You a Candidate? What to Expect, and What to Ask, and PROWL: Listening to Lasik patients. Also useful is Second Opinion Before Eye Surgery
You may want to watch these videos to understand things better here, here, and here.
About the Author
This article was written by Dr Shibal Bhartiya, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Mayo Clinic Research Collaborator, Clinical Director at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, known for ethical, patient-centred glaucoma care and independent glaucoma second opinions. She is also the Program Director for Community Outreach & Wellness; and for the Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro and Spine.
She has published peer-reviewed research on glaucoma management, examining how treatment decisions should balance medical evidence, patient preferences, and long-term vision outcomes.
As Editor-in-Chief of Clinical and Experimental Vision and Eye Research and Executive Editor of the Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice (Pubmed Indexed, official journal of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery), Dr Shibal Bhartiya brings editorial and research depth to every clinical decision. Her 200+ publications, including 90+ PubMed-indexed publications and 28 edited textbooks span glaucoma biology, surgical outcomes, health equity, and emerging diagnostics.
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