Introduction
LASIK surgery has revolutionised vision correction, offering millions of people the chance to achieve clear, unaided sight. With advancements in LASIK technology in 2026, the procedure has become more precise, efficient, and safer than ever before. However, like any surgical procedure, it’s important to understand what to expect during the recovery process—and certain side effects, such as night vision issues, glare, and light sensitivity, are more common than most patients realise.
While these visual disturbances are typically temporary, they can understandably cause concern. In this article, we’ll explore how LASIK surgery can impact your vision at night, the causes of glare and light sensitivity, and how recent innovations in LASIK technology have improved the way these issues are managed. We’ll also provide advice on what you can do to manage these symptoms and help make your recovery as smooth as possible.
H2: Night Vision Issues After LASIK Surgery
Understanding Night Vision Problems
It’s common for LASIK patients to experience some night vision issues shortly after their surgery. These may include blurry vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and halos around bright lights. These issues can be especially noticeable when driving at night.
Why Does Night Vision Change After LASIK?
Night vision issues typically arise because LASIK surgery alters the shape of the cornea to correct refractive errors. While this helps improve daytime vision, the changes made to the cornea may also impact how light is focused on the retina at night. This can lead to diffused light and visual disturbances such as:
- Halos: Bright circles around light sources, particularly noticeable at night.
- Glare: A feeling of discomfort when looking at bright lights.
- Starbursts: Radiating patterns around lights, especially visible in dark environments.
How Long Do Night Vision Issues Last?
In most cases, these night vision disturbances are temporary. Many patients see improvements within a few days or weeks as their eyes heal and adjust to the new shape of the cornea. However, in some cases, it may take a few months for these symptoms to fully resolve.
H2: Glare After LASIK Surgery
The Nature of Glare
Glare is a common post-LASIK issue, particularly when exposed to bright lights. This can happen due to the scatter of light caused by the changes to the cornea. The femtosecond laser used in LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea to improve focus, but in some cases, this can cause light to scatter, resulting in glare.
What Causes Glare After LASIK?
Several factors contribute to glare after LASIK surgery, including:
- Increased light sensitivity: After surgery, your eyes may be more sensitive to light, especially in the first few days.
- Pupil size: In low light, your pupils naturally dilate. If the pupil size is larger than the treated area of the cornea, light can scatter more, causing glare.
- Dry eyes: A common side effect of LASIK is dry eyes, which can exacerbate glare. Tears are essential for keeping the cornea smooth and for controlling the scattering of light.
How Can You Minimise Glare?
If you experience glare after LASIK, the following steps can help reduce discomfort:
- Use lubricating eye drops: These can help with dry eye symptoms, reducing glare.
- Wear sunglasses: Protective eyewear, especially with polarised lenses, can minimise glare from bright outdoor lights.
- Take breaks from screens: Prolonged exposure to screens can worsen glare and eye strain, so take regular breaks.
Recent LASIK Advancements Reducing Glare
In 2026, wavefront-guided LASIK has become more common, offering personalised treatment that reduces glare and improves night vision. This technology uses detailed maps of your eye’s unique imperfections to guide the laser in reshaping the cornea with greater precision, reducing light scattering and minimising glare.
H2: Light Sensitivity After LASIK Surgery
Why Does Light Sensitivity Occur?
Light sensitivity, or photophobia, can occur after LASIK surgery due to the initial healing process. After the cornea is reshaped during surgery, it may temporarily lose its smoothness, leading to increased sensitivity to light.
Factors Contributing to Light Sensitivity
- Corneal healing: As the cornea heals, the nerves that were previously altered during surgery are regenerating, which can cause increased sensitivity to bright lights.
- Dry eyes: Insufficient tear production can result in a feeling of discomfort when exposed to bright light, especially during recovery.
- Pupil size changes: Post-surgery, your pupils may react differently to light, causing discomfort in bright environments.
Managing Light Sensitivity
Here’s how you can manage light sensitivity after LASIK:
- Wear sunglasses: Protect your eyes from bright sunlight by wearing UV-protective sunglasses, which can also help reduce glare.
- Use lubricating drops: These help hydrate your eyes, reducing irritation and improving light tolerance.
- Avoid bright environments: In the early stages of recovery, avoid places with harsh lighting or prolonged exposure to bright light sources.
H2: How LASIK Advancements Have Improved Night Vision, Glare, and Light Sensitivity
Custom LASIK: A Step Forward in Precision
Recent advancements in custom LASIK technologies, such as wavefront-guided and topography-guided LASIK, have greatly reduced the side effects related to night vision, glare, and light sensitivity. These advanced technologies allow for a more tailored procedure, adjusting for individual corneal shapes and specific visual needs.
For example, wavefront-guided LASIK can map the unique imperfections in your eye, allowing for precise corrections that reduce visual disturbances at night and improve contrast sensitivity. This custom approach provides more predictable and stable outcomes, resulting in a reduction in halos and glare.
SMILE: A New Technique for Enhanced Vision
The SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) technique is another advanced option that has gained popularity in 2026. Unlike traditional LASIK, SMILE requires only a small incision to remove a lenticule of tissue from the cornea. This minimally invasive procedure results in fewer complications related to glare, night vision issues, and light sensitivity, as the corneal flap used in traditional LASIK is avoided.
Femtosecond Lasers: Enhancing Precision and Reducing Risks
The introduction of femtosecond lasers has further improved LASIK outcomes by offering more precise corneal cuts. This increased accuracy reduces the risk of side effects such as glare and light sensitivity, leading to faster recovery times and improved visual quality, particularly in low-light environments.
Conclusion
While night vision problems, glare, and light sensitivity are common after LASIK surgery, they are typically temporary and resolve as your eyes heal. Advances in LASIK technology, such as wavefront-guided LASIK, SMILE, and femtosecond lasers, have dramatically improved the accuracy and precision of the procedure, helping reduce these side effects and improve overall patient outcomes.
If you’re considering LASIK surgery in 2026, it’s essential to have realistic expectations and discuss potential post-surgery symptoms with your surgeon. Understanding how LASIK can affect your vision and the advancements in technology that can reduce side effects will help ensure you achieve the best possible results.
FAQs
1. Is night vision worse after LASIK?
Many LASIK patients experience temporary night vision problems, such as halos and glare, in the days or weeks following surgery. These symptoms usually improve as the cornea heals, but more advanced LASIK techniques like wavefront-guided LASIK can help minimise night vision disturbances.
2. How can I reduce glare after LASIK?
To reduce glare after LASIK, consider wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright light and using lubricating eye drops to address any dryness. It’s also helpful to avoid staring at bright lights for extended periods and take breaks from screen use.
3. How long does light sensitivity last after LASIK?
Light sensitivity typically lasts a few days to a few weeks after LASIK surgery. It’s often worse in the first few days of recovery but should gradually improve as the cornea heals. Wearing sunglasses and using artificial tears can help reduce discomfort during this time.
4. Are there any LASIK technologies that help reduce glare?
Yes, newer LASIK technologies like wavefront-guided LASIK and SMILE have been specifically designed to reduce visual disturbances like glare, halos, and light sensitivity. These advancements provide more precise