Night vision after LASIK

[TheNewbie]

About two years ago I had LASIK surgery done. My vision was horrible and without my glasses I could not see a thing. It was so bad that if I didn't have my glasses on I would have to feel my way around the house.

I opted to have LASIK done, and while my day vision is great, my night vision is so so. I can see, but any lights have large halos around them and look like fireworks going off.

All that said, it was worth the trade off, because I see great during the day and I can still function ok at night. If I lost my glasses I would be without hope.

My eye doctor told me he could do a touch up but wouldn't recommend it, and prescribed be some eye drops. They did seem to improve my vision somewhat at night.

Has anyone else experienced this or found ways to treat the problem effectively?

[dgg9]

I have the same, after PRK 15 years ago. I don't think it's treatable, though not as common anymore with new techniques. If you had a large correction, it may be inevitable.

[TheNewbie]

I have the same, after PRK 15 years ago. I don't think it's treatable, though not as common anymore with new techniques. If you had a large correction, it may be inevitable.

I think this is the case. I may look at getting glasses for night driving, or contact lenses. I read those can help.

[dgg9]

I think this is the case. I may look at getting glasses for night driving, or contact lenses. I read those can help.

I was under the impression you couldn't wear contacts after laser surgery, your corneas now being out of round a bit. Maybe not. Let us know if you find something that works. Maybe clear, yet polarized, glasses.

[TheNewbie]

You may be correct. I will do more searching and may try to see my old eye doctor next week. Even if it's glasses, just wearing them at night will not be that bad.

[pangloss]

I had LASIK just over three years ago and still have the halos. My ophthalmologist said there was nothing to be done about it. I assume that the halos are for life. They are an annoyance, but they don't impede function.

[S Jenks]

If anyone reading this is considering LASIK, PRK, etc. please look into implantable lenses. I had both eyes done in 2012 and couldn't be happier. My eye doc recommended Visian ICLs as my corneas aren't thick enough for traditional laser surgery. My eyesight, which was off-the-charts bad (couldn't read or see distance, literally about 6") is now 20/15. If for whatever reason I need the lenses removed in the future, the procedure is easily reversed.

The procedure includes inserting a lens inside the eyeball after making a 1mm incision. The lens is injected into place, where it unfolds and is adjusted into final position. Prior to this, I had a laser iridotomy done which creates a minuscule hole in the iris, which allows fluids to pass around the lens. Wikipedia can explain it better: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implantable_collamer_lens

That first summer I had issues with halos at night when my eyes were dry. Drops on an as-needed basis mitigated this, and now my night vision is without issue. While the operation is very expensive when compared to more tradition corrective procedures ($10,000 in my case) I highly, highly recommend it.

[Doug]

The halos don't go away. Not sure I would have done it. I didn't realize how much till I was trying to teach my kids about astronomy and the night sky how much that view is ruined. Also, traffic lights have big red, yellow, green halos around the lit bulbs at night. YMMV


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[Robinson]

I had LASIK surgery a bunch of years ago and I got lucky -- the halos greatly diminished over time, though they are still present.

[DiscipulusArmorum]

Just out of curiosity, how many of you with night vision problems had "customized" or "wavefront" type LASIK surgery? I've been toying with the idea of LASIK on and off for several years, and from what I've read these newer techniques might have less risk of night vision problems.

[MVS]

I am not sure what type of eye surgery correction I had, but it was about ten years ago. Fortunately I have had only good results and none of these problems. Of course with 50 coming up in a few years, I am sure things will be changing.

[WobblyPossum]

I had LASEK (similar to PRK) almost 5 years ago. I still get the halos and starbursts at night but I think it was worth it for 20/15 day time vision. I used to be unbelievably blind.


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[Ak5659]

I had what I thought were pretty significant halos and starburst for a while after my Lasik over 10 years ago. I also thought it might ruin any star gazing but after I while I really stopped noticing. Some (long) time ago they seem to have dissipated and now I don't have it, or if I do I don't notice it any more.

[Hizzie]

LASIK in 2001. Halos but not as bad as with my old contacts. No problems with night vision.

[H&KFanNC]

LASIK in 2005. Still have halos...but wouldn't change a thing. I had horrible uncorrected vision.


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[TheNewbie]

Just an update. I was given some Alphagan eye drops by my eye doctor, and they seem to really help out my night vision. It's not perfect by any means, but more clear and less problems with lights.

Like HKfan, even with the halos it was worth it. Not being able to safely walk without glasses was not fun.