Side effects of LASIK play a significant role for anyone thinking about this life-changing procedure. Laser eye surgery ranks among the safest elective procedures worldwide, with UK doctors performing more than 100,000 procedures yearly. Most patients (over 95%) express satisfaction with their results and face very few serious complications. Knowing what these side effects mean and understanding recovery timelines will give you peace of mind.
LASIK patients typically bounce back to normal within a few days. LASEK side effects might last longer, and recovery could take about two weeks. Patients might experience temporary eye dryness, glare, and see haloes around lights, particularly at night. Eye dryness tops the list of post-operative symptoms. Your doctor will prescribe lubricating eye drops that you can store in the fridge for extra comfort.
This detailed guide walks you through post-procedure expectations, duration of side effects, and Precision Vision London’s expert care that ensures your smooth recovery. Knowledge of these temporary effects helps you face your treatment confidently with realistic expectations.
Understanding LASIK and LASEK Procedures
LASIK and LASEK have revolutionised vision correction. These procedures give people freedom from glasses and contact lenses through advanced laser technology. You need to understand how these procedures work and why you might experience temporary side effects before getting the treatment.
What happens during LASIK and LASEK
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) stands as the most frequently performed laser eye procedure worldwide. The 15-minute treatment starts with numbing eye drops. Your surgeon creates a thin flap in your cornea using a femtosecond laser that makes a 3D pattern of tiny gas bubbles within the corneal tissue. The surgeon folds back the flap and an excimer laser reshapes the cornea beneath to fix your vision. The flap goes back in place without stitches and works as a natural bandage that helps you heal quickly.
LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy) works differently. The surgeon puts a dilute alcohol solution on your eye for approximately 30 seconds to loosen the epithelium (the cornea’s top layer). Instead of making a flap, this layer moves aside while the excimer laser reshapes the exposed cornea. The surgeon then puts the epithelium back and applies a special contact lens bandage. This bandage protects your eye for about four days during healing.
Why side effects occur after laser eye surgery
Your body’s natural healing response causes most side effects after laser eye surgery. Reshaping the cornea triggers inflammation that can affect your vision and comfort temporarily. The LASIK flap creation or LASEK’s epithelial layer removal disrupts corneal nerves. This disruption reduces tear production and leads to dry eyes.
Swelling after surgery scatters light and creates halos and starbursts around lights at night. Your vision clarity might change as your cornea heals and stabilises. LASEK patients often feel more discomfort at first because their epithelium needs 4-7 days to grow back fully.
How Precision Vision London ensures safe outcomes
Precision Vision London puts patient safety and results first. The clinic uses Advanced Wavefront technology for all procedures to create treatment plans that match each eye’s unique needs. They use the best eye laser available today for refractive and therapeutic corneal surgery.
Dr. Pillai, the clinic’s Medical Director, brings 30 years of eye surgery experience and specialises in refractive and corneal procedures. He was one of the first surgeons in the UK to treat both eyes on the same day with LASIK. His expertise means you get the most advanced care possible.
The clinic’s pre-operative assessment gives a full picture of your eyes. They look for risk factors like thin corneas or dry eye conditions before treatment. This careful screening helps the surgical team customise your procedure and aftercare. You’ll have fewer chances of complications and better results.
8 Common Side Effects of LASIK and LASEK
Let’s talk about what happens after laser eye surgery and set the right expectations. Here’s a look at the common side effects you might experience after LASIK or LASEK procedures.
Dry eyes and how long they last
Dry eye is without doubt the most common side effect that affects up to 95% of patients right after LASIK. This happens because the procedure temporarily affects the corneal nerves that help produce tears. About 60% of patients still have dry eye symptoms after a month. The good news is these symptoms get better over time. Most patients see complete improvement within 6-12 months. Your surgeon at Precision Vision London will give you lubricating drops to help with any discomfort that lasts.
Light sensitivity in the first few days
Your eyes will be more sensitive to light right after surgery. This sensitivity usually goes away within 12-24 hours after LASIK. LASEK patients might need to wait longer – about a week. Your eyes become sensitive because of corneal swelling and inflammation. You can feel better by wearing sunglasses and staying away from screens for the first 48 hours.
Halos and glare around lights
Almost everyone sees halos (rings around lights) and starbursts (scattered glare) after surgery, especially when it’s dark. These visual effects happen because your cornea swells after surgery. They usually fade within weeks, but sometimes last for months until your cornea settles. The team at Precision Vision London uses advanced Wavefront technology to keep these effects minimal.
Fluctuating vision during healing
Your vision might change throughout the day as you heal. This happens naturally as your cornea adjusts to its new shape. Swelling, changes in tear film, and healing of the corneal epithelium all play a part. These changes become less frequent and noticeable within the first few months. Most patients get stable vision between 3-6 months after their procedure.
Mild discomfort or irritation
LASIK patients usually feel mild discomfort for four to six hours – it feels like wearing uncomfortable contact lenses. You might notice some irritation and grittiness for two to three days. LASEK patients often feel more discomfort during the first 48 to 72 hours. This is normal while the epithelial layer heals. The feeling goes away within days.
Redness or bloodshot eyes
Your eyes might look red for a week or two after either type of laser eye surgery. This happens because small blood vessels on your eye’s surface expand or get irritated during surgery. The redness goes away on its own as you heal, usually within weeks. Precision Vision London shows you how to care for your eyes gently to reduce this effect.
Night vision disturbances
Some patients find it harder to see clearly in dark conditions after surgery. They might notice more glare, halos, starbursts, or have trouble seeing contrast while driving at night. These problems get by a lot better within weeks to months. Precision Vision London offers special assessment and care options for the few patients who have longer-lasting effects.
Temporary undercorrection or overcorrection
Your initial vision might not match exactly what you wanted. This can make things look blurry for a while, but it gets better as you heal. Most patients see their best results within 1-3 months after surgery. The surgeons at Precision Vision London keep track of your healing through detailed follow-up checks to make sure you get the best outcome.
How Long Do These Side Effects Typically Last?
Recovery after laser eye surgery follows expected patterns, though each person heals differently. Knowing how long side effects might last helps you set realistic expectations about your healing experience.
Short-term vs long-term effects
LASIK and LASEK side effects happen in specific time windows. Short-term effects go away within days to weeks. Long-term effects might stay around for months. The first two days after surgery bring the most discomfort. Your eyes will likely burn, sting, and feel like something is in them. These symptoms get better quickly. Most LASIK patients can drive just 24 hours after surgery.
LASEK patients face a tougher start to recovery. Eye pain might last up to three days. A protective contact lens stays on your eyes for about four days until the surface heals properly.
Some effects take longer to clear up:
- Dry eyes usually last 3-6 months before going away completely
- Light sensitivity gets better within 24-48 hours
- Halos and starbursts around lights fade over 2-6 months
- Vision changes throughout the day for several weeks
Vision loss from complications rarely happens. Of course, temporary side effects don’t bother most people once they clear up.
When to expect full visual clarity
Your vision gets better in stages, though timing varies by person. LASIK patients see better within hours and much clearer by the next day. Most can get back to normal life within 48 hours. LASEK recovery takes more time. Vision improves week by week. Most patients return to work after 4-5 days. Some blurriness might stick around for several weeks.
Full stability takes longer than the first improvements. You can expect:
- 3-6 months for vision to fully stabilise after LASIK
- 5-6 months for complete LASEK healing
- 1-3 months to reach your best vision
Factors that affect healing time
Your recovery speed depends on several things:
The type of procedure makes a big difference in healing time. LASIK heals faster than LASEK or PRK. This happens because LASIK keeps the eye’s surface layer intact.
Individual healing rates differ a lot. Your age, health, and natural healing speed play vital roles. Younger patients often heal faster. Your original prescription matters too. Higher prescriptions need more corneal reshaping, which might mean longer healing.
At Precision Vision London, you’ll have scheduled check-ups to track your progress. These visits help our specialists spot and fix any issues quickly to ensure the best healing.
Managing Side Effects Safely and Effectively
Proper aftercare plays a vital role to manage common side effects of LASIK and LASEK. Your surgeon’s guidance will give you comfort and optimal healing results. Trust Precision Vision London for expert care throughout your recovery. Book a check-up today for peace of mind.
Using prescribed eye drops correctly
Your surgeon will prescribe several types of eye drops that serve specific purposes. You’ll need antibiotic drops to prevent infection and anti-inflammatory drops to control healing and reduce swelling. Take these four times daily for one week. Many patients find it easier to remember by taking drops at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime.
Lubricating artificial tears help curb dryness—the biggest problem after laser surgery. Use these drops every 2 hours for at least 10 weeks after your procedure. You can store these drops in your refrigerator for added comfort.
Protecting your eyes from light and dust
Your eyes become sensitive to light after surgery. So, dark sunglasses are needed whenever outdoors—even on cloudy days—for at least one year. Make sure to choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Stay away from dusty environments for at least 7 days. Never rub your eyes as this can dislodge the healing flap, slow recovery, and increase infection risk. Keep tap water away from your eyes for at least a week.
Avoiding screen time and strenuous activity
Screen time on television, computers, smartphones, and tablets should be limited for the first 24-48 hours. Screens reduce your natural blinking rate and make your eyes dry. After resuming screen use, follow the 20-20-20 rule—look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Most patients return to work within 48 hours after LASIK or seven days after LASEK. Swimming should be avoided for at least two weeks. Strenuous exercise or contact sports should wait 3-4 weeks.
When to contact your surgeon
Call your surgeon right away if you notice:
- Pain, redness, or discharge that doesn’t improve
- Sudden decrease in vision
- New floaters, flashes of light, or vision changes
- A dark “curtain” or shadow moving across your vision
Regular follow-up appointments are significant—you’ll need them within 24-48 hours after surgery, then periodically for six months.
Why Side Effects Vary Between Patients
Patients react differently to laser eye surgery, and each person experiences unique side effects. Our experts at Precision Vision London understand these individual factors and provide customised care throughout your recovery.
Differences in eye health and corneal thickness
Your existing eye conditions can affect your recovery after surgery. Eye problems like dry eye, glaucoma, and cataracts might increase the risk of complications. Your risk level could also be higher if you have steep corneas, previous corneal trauma, or autoimmune disorders.
Your corneal thickness helps us determine the best procedure for you. We might recommend LASEK if your corneas are thinner (less than 490-500 microns) because this technique saves more corneal tissue. LASIK needs enough corneal thickness to create a flap safely.
Impact of age and lifestyle
Age plays a key role in healing and surgical outcomes. Studies show that myopic LASIK results become less predictable as patients get older. Younger patients heal more vigorously, which can sometimes cause treatment effects to regress.
The corneal biomechanical properties change as you age due to structural changes in the stromal collagen framework. These changes make the cornea stiffer and less viscoelastic. Surgeons adjust their approach based on age – they might increase correction amounts for younger patients while slightly undercorrecting older ones.
Procedure type: LASIK vs LASEK recovery
LASIK and LASEK have different recovery patterns. LASIK healing happens quickly – patients often see 80-90% improvement within the first day. LASEK takes longer, usually three to five extra days. You might feel more discomfort after LASEK compared to LASIK. In spite of that, LASEK could give you better long-term vision and lower your risks of infection and corneal haze.
Your body’s natural healing time and the type of procedure determine your recovery speed. That’s why we create custom aftercare plans at Precision Vision London. These plans match your specific needs and help ensure the best results, no matter which procedure you choose.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery side effects look less scary when you understand they don’t last long. Each patient’s recovery is different, but most side effects go away within days or weeks. Your vision fully stabilises in 3-6 months. Dry eyes, the most common issue, get better by a lot within the first month. Visual effects like halos and glare fade as your cornea heals.
Your recovery depends on the procedure you choose, your corneal thickness, age, and eye health. LASIK patients usually return to their daily routine within 48 hours. LASEK needs more healing time but works better for people with thinner corneas.
Mild side effects after LASIK or LASEK are normal – knowing what to expect helps you stay calm. Precision Vision London’s expert care will guide you through recovery. You can book a check-up today to feel more confident. The clinic’s top facilities and Advanced Wavefront technology, along with Dr. Pillai’s 30 years of surgical expertise, without doubt create the best conditions for success.
Your personalised aftercare plan helps you heal properly. Using eye drops as prescribed, protecting your eyes, and showing up for follow-ups will make your vision correction smooth. The temporary discomfort is worth it. Freedom from glasses and contact lenses makes laser eye surgery a great option to think over if you’re a good candidate.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the common side effects of LASIK and LASEK helps you prepare for recovery and set realistic expectations for your laser eye surgery journey.
- Most side effects like dry eyes, light sensitivity, and halos are temporary, resolving within days to weeks after surgery.
- LASIK offers faster recovery (24-48 hours) whilst LASEK requires longer healing time (4-7 days) but suits thinner corneas.
- Dry eyes affect up to 95% of patients initially but typically resolve within 6-12 months with proper eye drop management
- Complete vision stabilisation takes 3-6 months for LASIK and 5-6 months for LASEK, with individual healing rates varying.
- Following prescribed aftercare—using eye drops correctly, wearing sunglasses, and avoiding screen time—ensures optimal healing outcomes
Recovery experiences vary based on age, corneal thickness, and procedure type, but serious complications remain extremely rare with over 95% of patients satisfied with their results.
FAQs
Q1. How long do typical side effects of LASIK and LASEK last? Most common side effects, such as dry eyes, light sensitivity, and halos, are temporary. They usually resolve within days to weeks after surgery. Dry eyes, which affect up to 95% of patients initially, typically improve significantly within the first month and resolve completely within 6-12 months.
Q2. What is the difference in recovery time between LASIK and LASEK? LASIK generally offers a quicker recovery, with most patients returning to daily activities within 48 hours. LASEK, on the other hand, requires a longer healing time of about 4-7 days. However, LASEK may be more suitable for patients with thinner corneas.
Q3. How long does it take for vision to fully stabilise after laser eye surgery? Complete vision stabilisation typically takes 3-6 months for LASIK and 5-6 months for LASEK. However, individual healing rates can vary. Most patients achieve their best vision results within 1-3 months post-surgery.
Q4. Are the results of laser eye surgery permanent? While laser eye surgery permanently reshapes the cornea, natural age-related changes in the eye can still occur over time. This means that some patients may experience slight vision changes years after the procedure. However, the majority of patients enjoy long-lasting vision correction.
Q5. What factors can affect the recovery and outcomes of laser eye surgery? Several factors influence recovery and outcomes, including the type of procedure, corneal thickness, age, overall eye health, and lifestyle. Younger patients often heal more rapidly, while those with pre-existing eye conditions may have a higher risk of complications. Following the prescribed aftercare plan is crucial for optimal results.
