LASIK Risks and Side Effects in 2026: What the Research Actually Shows
Updated 2026-06-29
The short answer
LASIK has one of the highest patient-satisfaction rates of any elective surgical procedure, consistently above 95 percent in large-scale studies. Serious vision-threatening complications are rare in properly screened candidates. The most common side effects, dry eye and temporary night-vision disturbances, affect a meaningful percentage of patients in the months after surgery but usually resolve on their own. Thorough candidacy screening and an experienced surgeon are the most effective risk-reduction tools available to patients.
Is LASIK eye surgery 100% safe?
No surgical procedure carries zero risk, and LASIK is no exception. The FDA, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and individual surgeons all state that LASIK is not suitable for every person who wants it. What the evidence does show is that the procedure is among the most studied elective surgeries performed today, with decades of follow-up data, and that properly screened candidates face a low risk of serious outcomes. Many of the cases where LASIK has produced poor results involve patients who were not good candidates based on corneal thickness, dry-eye status, or prescription stability.
Common, usually temporary side effects
- Dry eye: the most frequently reported side effect, affecting an estimated 20 to 40 percent of patients in the months after surgery. Usually resolves within three to six months. Managed with artificial tears and prescription drops. More likely in patients with pre-existing dry eye.
- Night-vision disturbances: halos, starbursts, and glare around lights affect many patients in the early months, especially in low light. Most improve significantly over six to twelve months as the cornea heals.
- Fluctuating vision: vision can vary slightly during the healing period, especially in the first four weeks. This is expected and typically resolves as the corneal surface stabilizes.
- Light sensitivity: common in the first few days and usually mild after the first week.
Less common but real risks
| Complication | Estimated rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undercorrection or overcorrection | 5 to 10 percent | May be resolved with an enhancement procedure |
| Regression over time | 5 to 10 percent over 10 years | More common with higher prescriptions |
| Persistent dry eye beyond 6 months | 1 to 3 percent | Higher risk with pre-existing dry eye |
| Flap complications | Less than 1 percent | Usually treatable if caught early |
| Ectasia (corneal thinning) | Less than 0.2 percent | Proper candidacy screening sharply reduces risk |
Who is at higher risk
Candidacy screening exists to identify patients who face elevated risk. Thin corneas, large pupils, very high prescriptions, and pre-existing dry eye all increase the likelihood of side effects or complications. Keratoconus, even in a mild or subclinical form visible only on topography, is a contraindication. Choosing an experienced surgeon who uses detailed corneal mapping and declines borderline candidates is the most effective risk-reduction measure available to patients.
What the FDA says in 2026
The FDA approved LASIK in 1999 and has conducted post-market studies since. A widely cited 2018 patient-reported outcomes study found that most patients reported no quality-of-life problems after surgery and that satisfaction rates were high across the study population. The FDA maintains a list of questions patients should discuss with their surgeon before consenting to surgery, covering the full range of potential side effects. Reviewing that list before your consultation helps ensure nothing important goes unasked.
How to reduce your personal risk
- Choose an experienced surgeon who has performed thousands of procedures on the specific laser platform they will use for your eyes.
- Request a thorough pre-op evaluation including corneal topography, pachymetry, and tear-film testing, not a brief screening appointment.
- Disclose all medications and health conditions, including autoimmune disease, diabetes, and any history of dry eye or keratoconus.
- Follow post-op instructions precisely, especially avoiding eye rubbing and not skipping follow-up appointments during the healing period.
Total loss of vision from LASIK is extremely rare. Some patients do not achieve 20/20 results and may retain a residual prescription, but best-corrected vision is almost never permanently worse after properly performed LASIK than before. A related concern, ectasia, is a progressive thinning of the cornea that can occur if too much tissue is removed or if the patient had undetected pre-existing corneal weakness; candidacy screening with modern topography substantially reduces that risk. Laser technology, real-time eye tracking, and pre-operative diagnostic tools have all improved since LASIK was first approved, and complication rates in recent studies are lower than those documented in earlier generations of the procedure.
Bottom line
LASIK has a strong safety record in properly screened candidates. Serious complications are rare and patient satisfaction is consistently high. The most common side effects, dry eye and temporary night-vision changes, are real but usually resolve over time. Thorough candidacy screening with an experienced, licensed ophthalmologist who declines unsuitable candidates is the most effective protection available. Ask your surgeon about their complication rates, screening process, and which risks apply to your anatomy before proceeding.
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