Mr David Anderson
Ophthalmology

Are there risks to laser eye surgery? Your questions answered

Written by: Mr David Anderson

Published: 06/11/2019

Edited by: Nicholas Howley

Is laser eye surgery painful? What happens if I move my eyes? Can laser eye surgery cause blindness? Leading ophthalmologist Mr David Anderson answers your most common questions about the risks of laser eye surgery below.

What happens if I move my eyes or cough?

If you move your eyes, blink, or cough during surgery, this will not damage your eye. This is because most systems now involve eye-tracking lasers which will only work when your eyes are perfectly aligned. If you move your eyes, the treatment will immediately stop and will resume when they’re back in position.

In any case, some systems involve a laser which creates a slight vacuum. This vacuum helps to hold your eye in place and make the experience more comfortable.

In very rare instances we might need to modify your treatment if movement does occur – but this happens in less than 1% of cases of eye movement.

Is laser eye surgery painful?

No – laser eye surgery is not painful, but you’ll feel a bit of pressure during the operation. There are some minor side effects after the operation, such as a gritty sensation and light sensitivity, but these should last only 2-5 days. You’ll be given eye drops to help with these symptoms.

What are the risks?

Laser eye surgery has excellent results, with very small rates of complications. Less than 3% of patients develop severe dry eye, and only 1 in 10,000 patients develop an infection in the cornea. Finally, the risk of your eyesight worsening due to surgery is 2 in 1000. Even these patients will still have driving standard vision.

Can laser eye surgery cause health problems in the long term?

There is no evidence that laser eye surgery raises your risk of developing conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, it may affect how you treat problems such as cataracts if they develop naturally in later life.

Can laser eye surgery cause blindness?

The chances of laser surgery causing blindness are negligible. This is because the operation involves treating the surface of the eye rather than the inside of the eye. In rare cases (1 in 10,000), an infection can occur which may cause poor vision, but this can be corrected with a corneal transplant.

Ophthalmology in Southampton

Mr David F. Anderson is a leading ophthalmologist based in Southampton, who specialises in various laser eye treatments (including LASIK, SMILE and ASA), as well as the treatment of cataracts and keratoconus. Well-versed in all aspects of ophthalmology, he is recognised as an expert in refractive cataract surgery, having implanted multi-focal lenses for the last decade, and having been responsible for leading large clinical trials in relation to cataract and lens surgery. He currently practises ...

By Mr David Anderson
Ophthalmology

Mr David F. Anderson is a leading ophthalmologist based in Southampton, who specialises in various laser eye treatments (including LASIK, SMILE and ASA), as well as the treatment of cataracts and keratoconus. Well-versed in all aspects of ophthalmology, he is recognised as an expert in refractive cataract surgery, having implanted multi-focal lenses for the last decade, and having been responsible for leading large clinical trials in relation to cataract and lens surgery. He currently practises at the Spire Southampton Hospital amongst many other Southampton-based eye clinics.

Mr Anderson qualified in 1989 from St Thomas Hospital Medical School (University of London). He then went on to complete fellowships in ocular surface and corneal surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Hospital (Florida, USA) and in corneal, cataract and refractive surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.

Mr Anderson is an internationally recognised expert in corneal transplant surgery and was responsible for introducing new procedures, including DSEK and DALK, at University Hospital Southampton. His expertise in laser vision correction is also well-regarded, having performed treatments since 2001 and having instructed surgeons across Europe.