What Are the Risks of Laser Eye Surgery?

Millions of people worldwide have undergone laser eye surgery, and thanks to constantly advancing technology and techniques, these procedures are now more popular than ever. However, despite growing interest, there are still many misconceptions about the risks of laser eye surgery—for example, that it is very painful, or that it can only correct nearsightedness. In this article, we will explain the possible complications and risks of laser eye surgery.

The Eye Center at Batal Specialized Complex in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the leading eye centers, striving to achieve excellent vision after surgery with no major complications. The medical team takes every possible precaution to ensure the safety of the eye.

Laser Lens Removal Side Effects

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

All laser vision correction procedures—whether PRK, LASIK, or SMILE—work in a similar way. They reshape the clear front surface of the eye in front of the iris, known as the cornea. By changing the curvature of the cornea, the focal point of the eye is shifted so that light is focused accurately on the back of the eye (the retina), producing a clear image.

The Eye Center at Batal Specialized Complex is recommended because it performs a comprehensive medical examination to assess overall eye health and the physical characteristics of the cornea before deciding on surgery.

What Are the Risks of Laser Eye Surgery?

The vast majority of people who undergo laser eye surgery achieve excellent results without significant complications. However, like any other surgical procedure, laser eye surgery is not completely risk‑free. Anyone considering laser eye surgery should be fully aware of the potential risks associated with the operation, which include the following:

Laser Eye Surgery Complications

Although the procedure is very quick and generally painless, it is important to understand that, like any surgery, there are potential risks and side effects. These can include a range of issues, as outlined below, and represent the main complications associated with laser eye surgery.

Laser Surgery Side Effects

The Risk of Laser on the Eye

Documented data show that the likelihood of experiencing complications from laser eye surgery—including minor issues—is less than one percent.

Most complications from laser eye surgery actually arise when patients who are not good candidates for the procedure are treated anyway.

Ultimately, this comes down to the surgeon and the clinical setting. In high‑volume, sales‑driven environments where less time is spent on careful evaluation and patient selection, and more time is spent trying to treat as many people as possible, the risk of laser eye surgery complications naturally increases.

Even so, serious complications from LASEK/PRK or LASIK are truly rare, provided that the patient is appropriately selected and known risk factors are minimized—for example, by treating any existing dry eye disease before surgery to promote better healing and recovery afterward.

Can laser eye surgery go wrong? As mentioned, the documented risk of complications, including minor ones, is under one percent.

Again, serious problems following LASEK/PRK or LASIK are uncommon when the patient is suitable and pre‑existing conditions—such as dry eye—are managed in advance to support optimal post‑operative healing.

While laser eye surgery may sound risky, every vision‑correction option carries some degree of risk. For instance, long‑term contact lens wear is known to carry a higher risk of eye infection than undergoing LASIK surgery.

Laser Surgery Side Effects

How Can the Risks of Laser Eye Surgery Be Minimized?

To reduce the risk of complications, we recommend the following: