subject: Laser Eye Treatment Side Effects [print this page] Laser Eye Treatment Side Effects Laser Eye Treatment Side Effects
Most side effects will go away within a few days of the surgery, although they could persist for several months. If you are considering laser eye treatment, you should understand the possible side effects, which include:
Reduced vision under poorly lit conditions. You may see halos around bright lights, or have difficulty with glare. Less than 4 percent of patients experienced halos, but you should avoid driving at night if you have reduced vision. This side effect can last up to 12 months, but will drastically improve within a few days of the surgery. It may be caused when the corneal flap does not correctly adhere to the eye after LASIK surgery.
Sensitivity to light. One of the most commonly experienced side effects, it should go away within just a few days.
Dry eyes can last up to 6 months, and they are very common after laser eye treatment. You may have the sensation that there is a foreign body in the eye, or your eyes may be red or itchy. Your eye doctor may give you lubricating eye drops to help with this discomfort. During your recovery period it is important that you not rub or touch your eyes, which can further irritate them and prolong the effects.
Hazy or cloudy vision for up to 6 months. Corneal haze occurs as a part of the natural healing process after some eye surgeries. It usually has no effect on the final outcome of your vision and can only be seen through an eye examination, but sometimes it can affect your vision. This may go away in a few months; if not, a second laser eye treatment may be needed. The risk of corneal haze is much lower with recently developed technologies than with earlier methods of laser eye treatment.
Overall, the procedure is safe and effective. However, be sure to discuss the possible risks with your eye doctor before continuing with the surgery. In many cases, laser eye treatment side effects disappear within a few days to a month following the procedure. After your surgery, you'll need several days set aside for recovery. However, if your side effects to not subside during this recovery period, be sure to visit your eye doctor for an examination.
Mathew Dawson writes aboutlaser eye treatment surgery at the Laser Eye Treatment Guide, an essential resource if you are considering laser eye treatments. Discover more about this revolutionary vision correction procedure and make sure you understand the possiblelaser eye treatment side effects.