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Eye Laser Surgery: These Risks and Side Effects Exist

What Can Happen During Laser Eye Surgery? The topic of laser eye surgery can bring up many thoughts—after all, it’s about your eyes. That’s completely normal. That’s why betterview is deeply committed to providing thorough and transparent information about the procedure. We’ll explain the potential risks and side effects of laser eye surgery and how you can mitigate them.

During the preliminary and main examination, your eyes will be examined in detail, and multiple vision tests will be conducted. This ensures that your eyes are suitable for the treatment and that the most appropriate treatment method is chosen for you—one that is best suited to your eyes and delivers the most predictable and satisfying results. And don’t worry, you won’t receive an injection in your eye. Your eyes will be numbed with eye drops, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Our medical team in the clinic will provide a detailed explanation of the treatment process as well as any potential risks and side effects. If you have additional questions, our Customer Care Team is happy to assist you. You’ll also find an overview of everything you need to know before each appointment and the procedure itself in our checklist.

In laser eye surgery, the top two layers of the cornea—the outermost layer of the eye—are treated. A laser is used to reshape the cornea, correcting existing refractive errors. Laser eye surgery offers a long-term solution and is suitable for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. For more information.

What are the risks and side effects of eye laser treatment?

It is important to note that side effects and symptoms depend both on the treatment method and individual perception. Depending on the method used, the following symptoms may occur in the days and weeks after the procedure*:

Increased Light Sensitivity: Following eye surgery and due to the use of eye drops necessary for treatment, temporary increased light sensitivity may occur. This sensitivity is particularly pronounced during the first 24 hours and may include halos or light rings around light sources. These symptoms typically subside after approximately three months.
Dry Eyes: Dry eyes are one of the most common side effects of refractive surgery. Tear production is reduced after the procedure. However, this is usually temporary, resolving within a few weeks to six months at most. Lubricating eye drops can help alleviate dry eyes.
Foreign Body Sensation: Due to dryness, the eyes may feel burning or gritty, as if a foreign object is present. This sensation generally subsides a few days after the procedure and can also be relieved with lubricating eye drops.
Pain (Trans-PRK): Particularly with the Trans-PRK method, significant pain may occur during the first 1-3 days post-treatment. Since the removed corneal epithelium needs time to regenerate, this can be uncomfortable for the eye. The first three days may bring a foreign body sensation, burning eyes, and severe light sensitivity, as well as difficulty keeping the eyes open. These symptoms typically ease after the third day. However, the healing process and the time to achieve full visual acuity take longer with Trans-PRK compared to Femto-LASIK or SMILE Pro, although the end result is equally effective.
Fluctuating Visual Performance: In the initial days post-treatment, visual acuity may fluctuate. Eye drops may also cause blurry or milky vision alongside these fluctuations. For Femto-LASIK patients, these symptoms usually resolve within a few days. However, with Trans-PRK, the longer healing process may cause fluctuations to persist for up to six months.
Flap (Femto-LASIK): Flap movement or folds are rare due to the precision of the femtosecond laser. Nonetheless, these issues can occasionally arise in the first few days after treatment, often due to rubbing the eyes carelessly. If this occurs, it can typically be corrected with follow-up treatment.
Infections or Inflammation: As with any surgical procedure, infections or inflammation can occur after laser eye surgery. Adhering to hygiene guidelines can prevent these rare occurrences. Infections and inflammations are treatable with appropriate medication.
Residual Refractive Error: In some cases, the eye may not achieve the desired optimal visual acuity after the procedure, particularly for individuals with significant refractive errors. In such instances, a follow-up treatment can usually be performed after six months.
Regression: Rarely, the treatment results may regress. Individuals with severe refractive errors are more prone to this. Most cases can be corrected with additional treatment if medically feasible.
Reduced Corneal Stability: If our corneal analysis detects a potential risk for future corneal deformation, we recommend alternative treatments such as PRK or ICL lens implantation instead of Femto-LASIK to minimize this risk. In extremely rare cases, loss of corneal stability can occur in treated or untreated eyes, requiring additional therapies.

*This list is not exhaustive. After treatment, you may experience watery, burning, or red eyes. Further instructions and information can be found on the eye drop schedule you receive before treatment. If you have any questions, you can contact our Customer Care Team. Outside of office hours, the emergency number (found on the eye drop schedule) is always available for you.

In the case of regression, vision diminishes after a previously successful laser treatment, resulting in the recurrence of a refractive error. It is important to distinguish this from presbyopia, which is not a refractive error but a natural aging process of the eye's lens. As the lens gradually loses its elasticity, individuals around the age of 45 and older find it increasingly difficult to see objects up close. Since presbyopia cannot be corrected simultaneously with refractive errors for distance vision using laser treatment, alternatives such as reading glasses or refractive lens exchange are available.

What can you do for optimal healing of the eye?

For an optimal healing process, we recommend the following measures:

Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring both your vision and the healing process of your eyes. It’s important to keep these appointments as scheduled.
Follow the Medical Team’s Recommendations: Our medical team will provide you with important advice on post-treatment behavior. These recommendations are detailed in the checklist and the drop schedule you’ll receive before your procedure.
Adhere to the Drop Schedule: The drop schedule lists all the eye drops you need and specifies when to use them. To ensure optimal healing, it’s crucial to follow this schedule precisely.

We want you to feel fully informed and prepared before your treatment. If you have any questions or uncertainties about symptoms or post-treatment behavior—whether before or directly after the procedure—our Customer Care Team is always happy to assist you.