How Safe Is Laser Vision Correction? A Major Study Confirmed that the Risks Are Very Low.
If you’re wondering: “How safe is laser vision correction (LVC)?” The good news is that modern LVC procedures like LASIK and PRK (also known as LASEK) are some of the most studied operations — and the evidence shows that they are very safe, effective, and precise. This is why the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance describes laser eye surgery as “a safe and effective treatment after reviewing the extensive scientific evidence”.
Laser eye surgery has helped millions of people achieve freedom from glasses with a safety record that exceeds contact lens wear. But very little in life is risk free and no treatment is risk free. Even riding bicycle has risks, which are reduced by wearing a helmet. Laser risks are minimised by you and your surgeon by taking care of your eyes.
A major study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology looked at over 40,000 patients treated in the UK to measure how often complications occur after laser eye surgery. The results are reassuring: serious complications were extremely rare, and almost everyone achieved excellent vision after recovery.
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Study Overview
The research analysed outcomes for 61,833 LASIK eyes and 9,467 PRK (LASEK) eyes performed between 2014 and 2016. All events that could have affected visual outcomes were recorded and reviewed to understand their frequency and impact.
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Results: How Safe Are LASIK and PRK?
Overall Results:
Any Complication: LASIK 1.3%, PRK 2.3%
Significant Complication: LASIK 0.4%, PRK 0.7%
- No patient lost significant vision in both eyes.
- Most patients with a complication still achieved 20/20 or better vision after recovery.
In other words between 98% and 99% of people had great results and no complications with their treatment.
These figures confirm that modern laser eye surgery is exceptionally safe, with almost everyone achieving clear, glasses-free vision.
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Understanding the Most Common Adverse Events
Here’s what the study found — and what these terms mean in simple, non-medical language:
For LASIK
Epithelial ingrowth: 1/500. Tiny surface cells can grow slightly under the flap. Usually harmless and just monitored.
Flap striae: 1/600. Tiny wrinkles in the corneal flap that can blur vision slightly. Vision usually improves naturally, so is monitored or can be corrected with a simple repositioning of the flap.
Corneal abrasion: 1/700. A small scratch on the eye surface — uncomfortable but heals quickly.
Recurrent erosions: 1/800. The surface cells come loose repeatedly causing irritation; usually treated with lubricating drops and / or a bandage lens.
Corneal haze 1/800. Slight cloudiness during healing; most patients still see 20/20 or better.
Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK): 1/900. Mild inflammation under the flap, treated with anti-inflammatory drops — usually resolves well. But can leave scarring and reduced vision.
Transient light sensitivity: 1/900: Light sensitivity that usually settles within days with treatment.
Infection: 1/30 000: All patients recovered. But can leave scarring and reduced vision.
Corneal ectasia: 1/7000. A weakening of the cornea causing astigmatism and requiring glasses or contact lenses again to see well. Modern screening makes this exceedingly uncommon.
Retinal detachment: 1/30 000. Occurs rarely in very short-sighted people and there is no link proven to laser vision correction surgery.
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For PRK or LASEK
Recurrent erosions: 1/90. The surface cells come loose repeatedly causing irritation; usually treated with lubricating drops and / or a bandage lens.
Corneal haze: 1/160. Slight cloudiness during healing; most patients still see 20/20 or better.
Sterile infiltrates: 1/300. Tiny inflammatory spots on the cornea — not infections and heal completely.
Delayed healing: 1/700. The surface takes a little longer to recover, especially in older patients.
Corneal abrasion: 1/600. A small scratch on the eye surface — uncomfortable but heals quickly.
Infection 1/5000. Rare — all patients recovered fully. But can leave scarring and reduced vision.
Retinal detachment: 1/10 000. Occurs rarely in very short-sighted people and there is no link proven to laser vision correction surgery.
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Vision Outcomes Remain Excellent
Even when an adverse event occurred:
– Over 98% of eyes with complications see 20/40 or better (the legal driving standard) afterwards.
– More than 90% achieved 20/20 vision with correction.
– No patient lost significant vision in both eyes.
This shows that even in rare cases when a complication happens, the long-term outcome is usually good.
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What This Means for You
This research confirms what we see every day:
– Laser vision correction is highly predictable and extremely safe.
– The risk of a serious or sight-threatening problem is low.
– Modern technology, experienced surgeons, and advanced screening have made severe complications like infection, scarring, or ectasia exceptionally rare.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery in Birmingham, these findings should give you confidence that you’re choosing a safe and scientifically proven treatment.
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Final Thoughts
This landmark study from a few years ago confirms that the risk of a severe complication is extremely low, and almost everyone achieves the clear vision they hoped for. And laser vision correction is continuing to improve and become safer.
So, just as you minimise the risk of riding a bicycle by wearing a helmet, you will minimise the risks of laser vision correction by using the medicines as prescribed after your treatment, following our advice and coming to your follow up appointments. And we will take good care of you. Read the reviews about Mark Wevill to see how he has cared for other patients and how they write about the great vision they are now enjoying. Mark is a fully qualified ophthalmologist who will provide you with excellent clinical care and surgical expertise using advanced and safe technologies.
Photo by Sean Malone on Unsplash
