Is laser eye surgery dangerous?

Laser eye surgery is one of the most successful and commonly performed elective procedures in the world. But that doesn’t stop people from asking the big question:

“Is it dangerous?”

It’s a fair concern. You only get one pair of eyes, and any medical procedure comes with some level of risk. So let’s break it down and give you the full picture—honestly and clearly.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

The real risks of laser eye surgery
How common complications are
What we do to make the procedure safe
Why it’s considered safer than many everyday alternatives

Is laser eye surgery risky?

All surgery comes with risks. But laser eye surgery, when performed by experienced professionals, is considered very low-risk.

Major complications are extremely rare. Minor side effects (like dryness or glare at night) can happen but are almost always temporary and manageable.

In fact, laser eye surgery has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates in modern medicine—over 95% of people say they’re happy with the results.

What are the actual risks?

Here are a few things that can occasionally happen:

Dry eyes: Common for the first few weeks. Treated with lubricating drops.
Glare or halos at night: Usually improves within a few months.
Infection: Very rare. Fewer than 1 in 5,000 cases. Treated easily with antibiotics.
Undercorrection or overcorrection: Sometimes a second (enhancement) procedure is needed.
Flap complications (in LASIK only): Preventable with careful aftercare.

None of these complications typically result in permanent vision loss—and serious harm is exceptionally rare.

How do we make laser eye surgery safer?

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we take every step to ensure safety:

Thorough pre-treatment screening
State-of-the-art diagnostic and laser equipment
Highly experienced surgeons
Strict hygiene and surgical protocols
Detailed aftercare and follow-up appointments

If you’re not suitable for surgery, we’ll tell you—because safety comes before everything else.

What happens if something goes wrong?

In the rare case of a complication, we act quickly. Most issues (like infection or dryness) are treatable with drops, rest, and time.

We also monitor you closely after your procedure, so if anything unusual happens, we can manage it right away.

Is it safer than wearing contact lenses?

Believe it or not—yes.

Long-term contact lens wear can increase the risk of serious eye infections, especially if lenses aren’t cleaned properly.

Some studies show that the lifetime risk of vision loss from contact lens use is higher than from laser eye surgery.

What are the alternatives to laser surgery?

If you’re not suitable for laser eye surgery or would prefer something else, we might recommend:

Lens replacement surgery (especially for people over 50)
Implantable contact lenses (ICLs)
Continuing with glasses or daily disposable lenses

We’ll talk through all your options and help you make the right decision.

Should I be scared?

It’s natural to feel nervous. But fear often comes from not knowing what to expect.

We’ll take the time to explain everything. We’ll answer your questions. And most importantly—we’ll only go ahead if it’s right for you.

Thousands of people in the UK safely have laser eye surgery every year. For most, it’s one of the best decisions they ever make.