Common questions about laser eye surgery

What, if any, are the risks of laser eye surgery? While some people experience problems with glare and light sensitivity for a few weeks after surgery, more serious complications, such as unwanted tissue growth and infection, are rare and can generally be treated.

How long before I can work? You can be back at work a couple of days after laser surgery, although it is recommended that you should avoid using heavy machinery until you are fully recovered.

How long should I wait after surgery before driving? Although you are legally allowed to drive as long as one of your eyes has 20/40 vision or better, you should probably wait for a couple of weeks, as it can take a little while to feel comfortable with the changes to your vision after surgery.

How long does the recovery process last? For the first six hours after the operation, you will experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye irritation. These should be almost completely gone by the following day, but you should carry on using the eyedrops for a week after surgery.

Which activities are out of bounds while recovering? Using your eyes will not harm recovery, and you can watch TV or read all you want. You should, however, avoid swimming for at least four days, avoid any activities that could cause pressure on the eye such as using a microscope or goggles, and you should avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes at all costs.

Is it worth getting laser eye surgery if you are over fifty? Yes, although the deterioration in the eye that makes reading without glasses difficult as you grow older cannot be corrected with laser surgery. However, it can still be used to correct other visual dysfunctions.

Are the effects of laser surgery permanent? Yes, but this is no guarantee that the eye itself will not change. However, this can be corrected with further, less involved, surgery.

Could it make my vision worse than it is? There is a very slim chance of serious complications occurring during surgery, that could lead to a deterioration in the quality of your vision. Most of these problems can be corrected with further surgery, however. Bonny Kominek has been wearing contact lenses for about 10 years now and has tried all the tips and tricks associated with them.