Do I understand possible side effects and complications?

Certain side effects, including dry eyes and temporary vision changes, are fairly common. But these usually resolve after a few weeks or months. In some cases, complications are long-term and cause trouble with vision. Some long-term complications are treated by wearing glasses or contacts. Vision loss is rare.

Complications include:

• Dry eyes. Dry eyes are common for the first six months or so after your surgery. Your healthcare professional may prescribe natural tears or prescription eye drops.
• Vision problems. Trouble with vision may last from a few days to weeks, but there may be long-term complications. Vision problems may include:
  • Cloudy vision.
  • Halos or starbursts around lights, particularly at night.
  • Double vision.
  • Trouble seeing in low light.
  • Sensitivity to light.
• Undercorrections. If the laser removes too little tissue from your eye, your vision may not be as clear as expected. These undercorrections are more common for people who are nearsighted. You may need another refractive laser surgery within a year to remove more tissue.
• Overcorrections. The laser also can remove too much tissue from your eye. Overcorrections may be more difficult to fix than undercorrections. You may need to wear glasses or contact lenses.
• Astigmatism. Astigmatism can be caused by uneven tissue removal. It may require additional surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
• Flap complications. The flap created during LASIK may fold and need to be lifted and replaced. Rarely, a flap may open or become dislodged before it's healed.
• Altered growth of the cornea. The outer layer of the cornea may grow in a way that's not expected under a LASIK flap or in a SMILE incision.
• Infection. In all types of refractive surgery, there is a chance your eye could become infected. This can lead to poor vision outcomes even with treatment.
• Corneal ectasia. Corneal ectasia is rare but it's one of the more serious complications. The cornea is too thin and unstable. It bulges outward, changing the refraction of light and greatly harming vision. Surgery, medicines and contact lenses may improve the outcome.
• Worse vision or loss of vision. Rarely, people have worse vision after surgery even with glasses or contact lenses. Blindness is very rare.