What are the potential complications of laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is an effective treatment for vision correction; however, certain postoperative complications may occur. Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common side effects. Other potential complications include refractive regression (a return of myopia), glare, and reduced night vision. Refractive regression varies among individuals, while glare and impaired night vision may affect activities such as nighttime driving. It is strongly recommended to undergo laser eye surgery at a reputable hospital. Below, we outline the possible postoperative complications associated with laser eye surgery.

What Are the Potential Complications of Laser Eye Surgery?

I. Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is highly prevalent—not only among postoperative patients but also in the general population, particularly among those who frequently use digital devices such as televisions, computers, and smartphones. Consequently, its incidence continues to rise. While laser vision correction may exacerbate preexisting dry eye, some patients without prior symptoms may develop it after surgery. Importantly, not all patients experience dry eye postoperatively—only a subset are affected. Fortunately, surgery-induced dry eye is usually temporary and typically resolves within 3–6 months with appropriate topical therapy (e.g., artificial tears).

II. Refractive Regression
Refractive regression refers to the partial or complete return of myopia after surgery and is influenced by individual anatomical and physiological factors. Some patients maintain stable vision postoperatively, whereas others may experience recurrence of myopia within several months—or even 1–2 years—after surgery. Patients with higher preoperative myopic diopter values tend to have a relatively greater risk of regression compared to those with milder myopia. If regression occurs, corrective eyeglasses remain an option. Alternatively, if corneal thickness permits, a secondary enhancement procedure may be considered.

III. Glare and Reduced Night Vision
Some patients report increased glare—such as pronounced halos around headlights when driving at night—which may temporarily impair visual function and affect safety during nighttime driving. This phenomenon tends to diminish gradually over time and often resolves spontaneously. Moreover, continual technological improvements in excimer laser systems have significantly reduced the incidence of this complication.

IV. Infection
Infection is a rare but serious complication of any surgical procedure—including laser eye surgery. Once established, ocular infection can be difficult to manage and may threaten vision. Therefore, strict preoperative screening is essential. Typically, patients receive prophylactic topical antibiotics for three days prior to surgery, and intraoperative sterility—including meticulous disinfection and adherence to standardized surgical protocols—is rigorously maintained.

V. Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive, non-inflammatory corneal ectasia that may be congenital or idiopathic. Preoperative screening must be rigorous to identify subclinical or early-stage keratoconus; patients with confirmed or suspected keratoconus are generally contraindicated for laser refractive surgery. In some cases, latent keratoconus may not manifest on initial evaluation but may accelerate postoperatively due to corneal biomechanical weakening. Thus, thorough preoperative assessment—including detailed patient history (e.g., recent changes in refraction or rapid progression of astigmatism) and advanced corneal topography—is critical. Management of postoperative keratoconus is challenging: mild cases may require rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses, while severe cases may ultimately necessitate corneal transplantation. Strict adherence to surgical eligibility criteria is therefore paramount.

The above outlines the principal complications associated with laser eye surgery. We hope this information proves helpful to you.