Glare After LASIK Surgery

Closeup of an older person's eye

LASIK is a great option for people suffering from refractive errors. By undergoing advanced laser eye surgery, these people will be able to see clearly without the aid of contacts or glasses. This is accomplished through the safe reshaping of the cornea using a laser, improving the way that light passes through the eye and focuses on the retina.

With this in mind, we always let patients know about the temporary side effects that occur following LASIK. One of these side effects is glare. This could mean acute sensitivity to light or halos that appear around bright lights. Since this issue is so common among many LASIK patients, we want to address it right now so you understand what to expect and what can be done.

Why does glare occur after LASIK surgery?

When the cornea is reshaped with the LASIK laser, it often takes time for the eyes to adjust to corrected vision. This often means issues with glare, halos, or starbursts around bright lights. These can be especially problematic at night when driving. The glare is usually caused by:

  • Enlarged pupils
  • Corneal flap issues
  • Residual refractive error

As part of our service to patients, our eye doctors always go over the pros and cons of surgery in great detail to make sure that all these patients have a good understanding and realistic expectations of what to expect after LASIK surgery.

How to Deal with Glare After LASIK Surgery

For light sensitivity during the day, our best advice for patients is to wear sunglasses while outdoors as well as a hat with a brim. By keeping the sun out of the eyes, issues with glare and halos can be greatly reduced. Sometimes patients are given prescription eye drops to help shrink the size of the pupils, which can also cut down on glare, halos, and starbursts.

For night vision glare and light issues, there are a few other options to consider. The most helpful are special glasses with an anti-reflective coating. By wearing these, glare and halos can be greatly reduced.

Will the glare be permanent?

In general, glare, halos, and starbursts that are experienced after LASIK surgery are only temporary. That said, they can sometimes last for months or up to a year, though it varies from patient to patient.

Can LASIK and glare be prevented?

Glare can be reduced in a few ways. For one, it’s important that patients follow our instructions for pre-operative and post-operative care to the letter. Doing this will help prevent adverse complications. In addition, our use of custom LASIK technology can also greatly reduce glare thanks to the high-quality scanning and mapping we use.

Considering All of Your Options for Vision Correction

LASIK can be a major step in the right direction, though these potential side effects should be made known to prospective patients so that they can make smart choices about their vision. We’ll help you make the right decision for your eyes.

Schedule a Consultation for Eye Care Treatment

If you would like to learn more about LASIK surgery and your many other options for enhancing your vision, be sure to contact our Rapid City laser eye care and vision correction center today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve excellent eyesight.