Prospective LASIK patients place their trust in LASIK surgeons to disclose risks and potential problems of the surgery. LASIK surgeons behave more like used car salesmen than physicians, talking up the 'supposed' benefits of LASIK while downplaying or concealing complications.
FDA clinical trials demonstrate alarming numbers of patients experience complications such as dry eyes and night vision problems after LASIK. A published review of data from twelve FDA clinical trials for LASIK, including newer 'custom' 'wavefront' technology, reveals that six months after LASIK, 17.5% of patients report halos, 19.7% report glare (starbursts), 19.3% have night-driving problems and 21% complain of eye dryness. Source: Bailey MD, Zadnik K. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers. Cornea 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the failure of LASIK surgeons to report LASIK complications as required by federal law, patients who experience dry eyes, night vision problems, or other complications after LASIK should file a MedWatch report online with the FDA. Alternatively, you may call FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report by telephone, download the paper form and either fax it to 1-800-FDA-0178 or mail it using the postage-paid addressed form, or download the MedWatcher Mobile App for reporting LASIK problems to the FDA using a smart phone or tablet.
If you are experiencing problems from LASIK or another form of refractive eye surgery, we invite you to join the discussion on FaceBook.
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what people are seeing post-surgery
Night Vision Problems
Night Vision Problems
Night Vision Problems
Starburst effect, or starbursting, is a common complication and risk of LASIK or laser eye surgery. LASIK surgeons use the term "glare" to describe starbursts after LASIK. Patients with large pupils are at increased risk of experiencing severe forms of starbursts. All prospective patients should be warned of the risk of diminished night vision after LASIK.
Smeared Vision
Night Vision Problems
Night Vision Problems
Blurry Vision is a possible complication of LASIK. As with other visual disturbances, blurry vision varies among patients from mild to severe. Some patients have described it as "aquarium vision" or "vasoline vision". Blurry vision after LASIK may be uncorrectable with glasses. Some patients report that their vision is blurry in all lighting conditions, whereas others state that dim light vision is much worse. Many patients report loss of contrast sensitivity and the inability to see fine detail. Some patients report that their vision tends to smear in one or more directions.
Driving Issues
Driving Issues
Driving Issues
While many patients have problems driving at night after LASIK, some patients also have problems driving during the day. In general, daytime vision after LASIK is better because sunlight shrinks the pupil, blocking light from entering through a larger surface area of the irregular post-LASIK cornea. However, some patients report blurry vision and ghosting even in the best lighting conditions. Some patients can't even pass a driving test, which generally requires 20/40 vision. Many of these patients worry that states may eventually adopt vision quality testing, and that they could lose their license even with 20/40 vision.
Halos
Driving Issues
Driving Issues
Halo effect, or halos, occur commonly after LASIK. Like starbursts, the severity of halos increases with increasing pupil size. The LASIK industry uses the term "glare" to describe these visual aberrations. After LASIK, halos may appear around any relatively brighter area or reflective object. The LASIK industry does not consider these visual aberrations as a complication, even though the patient may no longer be able to drive at night. Halos and other visual disturbances after LASIK may lead to diminished quality of life.
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