Ophthalmology | Retina Specialist Questions LASIK

Are there any side effects after laser eye surgery?

I'm a 37 year old woman, and I've been considering getting laser eye treatment. What are the possible side effects?

6 Answers

Dry eye. Glare. Decreased night vision. And may need cataract surgery earlier like late 50s
You don't specify what kind of laser eye surgery you are referring to so I would assume you are talking about LASIK to correct your vision problem. Laser eye surgery is surgery so there are entire books written on the subject including possible complications, so there is not enough space here for a complete discussion. But it is a very safe procedure. You could probably find what you are asking for online such as Quora.com but consider the source: there are unhappy patients who will tell you it is evil and corporate laser centers that will tell you nothing ever goes wrong. Your best bet is to get information from a reputable surgeon and laser center with a long track record and that is willing to connect you with other patients so you can get an honest answer.
You don't indicate what your eyeglass measurement is like -- nearsighted or farsighted - but if you are nearsighted, then you are likely to be disappointed in the coming years. Most people start to need reading glasses at about age 40. If you are nearsighted, then you can simply take off your eyeglasses and read bare-eyed until you are 99. If you have laser vision surgery to set your eyes for distance, then you will need to find reading glasses to see up close for the rest of your life.

Dry eyes which increase with age and require frequent applications of tear drops through the day are a not uncommon side effect of laser vision surgery. You will still develop cataracts as a part of normal aging, and when the time comes, calculation of the optimum intraocular lens implant is much more difficult to accomplish accurately in a post-laser eye. Laser vision surgery patients often read unusually low eye pressures, making detection and management of glaucoma more difficult. Certain types of unusual retinal detachments are also more
common is laser vision surgery patients.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik
Laser refractive surgery is a great option for many patients to improve the quality of vision and decrease dependence on glasses or contacts. However just like any procedure there are risks and possible side effects. Some of the biggest things that are of concern when considering laser refractive surgery is the risk of dryness on the surface of the eye, the risk of glare or halos of lights, Possible infections or worsening of the vision. It is extremely important to have a full exam by and experienced refractive surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate, and to review all of the risks and possible outcomes when considering laser refractive surgery.
You will be reaching Presbyopic age soon and will need readers even sooner once your distant vision is corrected. Lasik is best done in your early twenties