Like all surgical procedures, FEMTO-LASIK and PRK have risks and potential complications, but serious complications are very rare. Most of the complications occur immediately after the procedure and resolve with time.

Subconjunctival hemprrhages may occur around the cornea after LASIK operation. They do not interfere with vision and resolve within 1 month.

Light sensitivity may occur during the healing period and is more often experienced after PRK.

Glare and halos, especially in diminished light condition and at night, are more often experienced after LASIK. During the postoperative period, the symptoms decrease and almost disappear after 6 months.

Blurred vision in diminished light condition and at night. The symptom usually resolves in 3-6 months.

Corticosteroid induced rise of intraocular pressure may occur in some patients who are individually sensitive to postoperative medications. Drops that lower intraocular pressure are additionally administered in such cases. Intaocular pressure returns to normal levels when antiinflammatory drops are finished.

Risk of infection is very low. If it occurs, it can usually be treated with additional eye drops, without visual impact.

Eye pain and discomfort usually resolve within 3 days after PRK, within several hours after LASIK. The actual laser treatment itself is painless.

Blurred near vision. After the operation, far vision usually recovers faster than near. Near vision improves quicker than in 3-4 weeks.

Overcorrection or undercorrection. It is common to be slightly temporarily overcorrected for the first few weeks following the treatment. Temporary overcorrection may cause difficulty for the treated eye in focusing near for about few days to several weeks. In rare cases, the optimal result is not achieved just after procedure. In such cases when vision can be corrected with glasses and enough of corneal thickness is left, a free enhancement procedure may be performed.

The regression of surgical effect. This complication is more usual for patients with high degree of myopia or hyperopia. Within 1-3 months visual acuity decreases because nearsightedness or farsightedness occurs again. If the surgeon suggests, enhancement procedure may be performed. However, eyes with very thin corneas may not be eligible for the enhancement procedure.

The haze of the cornea sometimes occurs after PRK procedure. The risk of haze increases with a higher degree of myopia and occurs as often as 1:500 patients. In most cases haze does not disturb patient’s vision and can be diagnosed only by ophthalmologist. However, sometimes haze leads to a slight visual loss. Usually haze disappears within 6-12 months, and most patients are unaware that they have developed such haze since it is not visible to the naked eye. Haze can be treated with laser by PTK procedure.

Dryness is a rather common complaint after the operation. Studies show that about 14-15% of patients experience dryness, which usually resolves within 3 to 6 months. Risk factors for dryness are the following: prolonged contact lens wearing before the operation, dryness before the operation, long hours spend at the computer or some systemic medications. Preservative free artificial tears are recommended to help the symptoms.