Understand the common and rare side effects of LASIK, including dry eyes, glare, halos and night vision problems. Learn about recovery, risk factors, complications and how proper screening can help reduce risks.
If you're considering laser vision correction in Ambala, you've probably heard about the life-changing freedom from glasses and contact lenses. But like any surgical procedure, LASIK comes with potential side effects that every patient should understand before making a decision.
At Bansal Eye Hospital, we believe informed patients make the best decisions. With over 40 years of experience and more than 75,000 patients treated, we've seen firsthand how proper education and screening can minimize risks and maximize outcomes.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the most common LASIK side effects—from dry eyes to night vision disturbances—and explain what you can realistically expect during recovery.
Research shows that while serious complications are rare, a small percentage of patients do experience persistent side effects after LASIK. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, these may include:
Dry eyes (the most common complaint)
Glare and halos around lights, especially at night
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Light sensitivity
Eye discomfort or a gritty sensation
Double vision or ghost images
The good news? Most of these side effects are temporary and improve significantly within the first few months as your eyes heal. Let's dive deeper into each one.
Dry eye disease is the most frequent complication after corneal laser refractive surgery, including LASIK. In fact, symptoms may occur in more than 50 percent of patients during the early postoperative period.
During LASIK, the creation of the corneal flap temporarily disrupts the tiny nerves that signal your tear glands to produce moisture. This interruption in the corneal-lacrimal gland feedback loop leads to decreased tear production and a less stable tear film.
Think of it this way: your cornea and tear glands normally communicate constantly. When that communication is interrupted by surgery, your eyes don't produce tears as efficiently until those nerves regenerate.
For most patients, dry eye symptoms improve significantly within 3 to 6 months as corneal nerves regrow and normal tear function returns. However, a small number of patients may experience lingering symptoms beyond one year.
You're at higher risk for prolonged dry eye after LASIK if you:
Have pre-existing dry eye disease
Require a higher degree of correction
Have a larger ablation zone
Are older
This is why preoperative screening is critical. At Bansal Eye Hospital, we thoroughly evaluate your tear film and ocular surface before recommending any refractive procedure.
Night vision complaints after LASIK typically include:
Glare – decreased quality of vision in bright light
Halos – rings around lights
Starbursts – streaks radiating from light sources
Reduced contrast sensitivity – difficulty seeing in low light
These occur because the laser reshapes your cornea, and the treated optical zone may not perfectly align with your pupil size in dim lighting.
Research shows that night vision complaints decrease dramatically over time. In one large study, 25.6% of patients reported night vision issues one month after LASIK, but this dropped to just 4.7% at 12 months.
Studies have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of persistent night vision complaints:
Higher degrees of correction (especially myopia greater than -5.00 D)
Smaller optical zones
Older age
Residual refractive error (undercorrection or overcorrection)
Interestingly, recent research suggests that pupil size may not be as important a risk factor as previously thought with modern laser technology.
LASIK involves creating a thin flap in your cornea. While rare with experienced surgeons, potential flap issues include:
Irregular or incomplete flap creation
Flap dislocation or folding
Epithelial ingrowth (cells growing under the flap)
These complications may require additional surgery, and in very rare cases, can affect vision.
Any surgery carries a small risk of infection. Post-LASIK infections are rare but can be serious if not treated promptly. Inflammation (keratitis) can also occur and may cause temporary corneal cloudiness.
Sometimes the laser doesn't achieve the exact correction intended. This may result in residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Many cases can be improved with glasses, contacts, or an enhancement procedure.
While extremely uncommon, more serious complications can include:
Corneal ectasia – weakening and bulging of the cornea
Retinal detachment – more common in highly nearsighted patients
Permanent vision loss – extremely rare
These risks underscore why candidate selection and preoperative screening are so important.
At Bansal Eye Hospital, we offer SILK (Small Incision Lenticule Keratoplasty) – one of the most advanced flapless vision correction procedures available. SILK uses very low laser energy (~45–60 nJ) and creates a bi-convex lenticule design that may result in:
Lower dry eye symptoms compared to traditional LASIK
Faster visual recovery
Less tissue trauma
Reduced inflammation
Because SILK is flapless, it preserves more corneal nerves, which may help maintain normal tear production.
Every patient at Bansal Eye Hospital undergoes thorough screening to identify risk factors for post-surgical complications. We evaluate:
Tear film quality and quantity
Corneal thickness and topography
Pupil size and optical zone considerations
General eye health
Led by Dr. VK Bansal, who performed North India's first LASIK surgery in 1997, our team has the experience to anticipate and manage potential complications. With over 75,000 patients treated and a 99% success rate, you're in experienced hands.
Not every patient is a candidate for every procedure. We'll recommend the approach that best suits your eyes, your lifestyle, and your risk profile—whether that's SILK, another refractive procedure, or no surgery at all.
Most LASIK side effects, including dry eyes and night vision problems, are temporary and improve within 3–12 months. A small percentage of patients may experience persistent symptoms.
While you can't completely prevent it, you can minimize risk by treating any pre-existing dry eye before surgery, choosing a flapless procedure like SILK when appropriate, and following your surgeon's post-operative care instructions.
For most patients, yes. Night vision disturbances typically peak in the first month and improve steadily. By one year, only about 5% of patients report ongoing issues.
You may not be a good candidate if you have severe dry eye, certain autoimmune conditions, thin corneas, or unstable vision prescriptions.
SILK is a flapless procedure that may cause fewer dry eye symptoms and less corneal nerve disruption than traditional LASIK. However, long-term data is still emerging compared to LASIK.
LASIK has transformed millions of lives, but it's not without potential side effects. Dry eyes and night vision disturbances are the most common complaints, and while most patients see significant improvement within the first year, a small percentage may experience persistent symptoms.
The key to a successful outcome isn't just choosing the right technology—it's choosing the right surgeon and screening process. At Bansal Eye Hospital, we combine four decades of experience with cutting-edge technology like SILK to help patients achieve clear vision with minimal risk.
Ready to see if LASIK or SILK is right for you?
📞 Book a free consultation with Dr. VK Bansal and our expert team today.
Bansal Eye Hospital
Ambala's Most Trusted Eye Hospital Since 1995
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Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified eye care professional before undergoing any surgical procedure.
Book a free consultation with Dr. VK Bansal today. Life is better in clear vision.