Can you go blind from laser eye surgery?

The truth is: going blind from laser eye surgery is extremely rare.

There are no confirmed cases of a healthy person losing their sight completely from LASIK, LASEK, or TransPRK. Modern laser eye surgery is one of the safest elective procedures available.

That said, all surgery has risks. It's important to understand them—and what we do to keep you safe.

What are the actual risks?

Here are some rare but possible complications:

• Infection: Very uncommon. Happens in less than 1 in 5,000 cases. Treated quickly with drops.
• Flap issues (LASIK only): If the corneal flap is disturbed, it can affect healing. Easily managed with care.
• Dry eyes: Common early on, but usually temporary. Lubricating drops help.
• Glare or halos: Usually settle within weeks. Very rarely permanent.
• Undercorrection or overcorrection: A second treatment (enhancement) may be needed.

None of these lead to total blindness, and serious issues are extremely rare when you're in safe hands.

What protects you from these risks?

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, safety is our priority. We:

• Carefully screen every patient to ensure suitability
• Use advanced scanning tools to understand your eye shape in detail
• Follow strict hygiene and surgical protocols
• Use proven technology with excellent safety records
• Offer full aftercare and monitoring

You won’t be approved for treatment unless we believe it’s safe and right for you.

Is laser eye surgery safer than contact lenses?

Believe it or not, yes.

Long-term contact lens wear carries risks too—especially infections and corneal damage.

Some studies suggest laser eye surgery may actually be safer over time than daily or extended-wear contact lenses, especially for people prone to dryness or poor lens hygiene.

Why do people worry about blindness?

It’s natural. The idea of something going wrong with your eyes is scary. But fear often comes from misinformation or outdated stories.

The reality is, laser eye surgery today is backed by decades of research, millions of successful treatments, and incredibly precise technology.

How do I know if it’s safe for me?

That’s where we come in. The first step is a suitability check. We look at:

• Your eye health
• Your prescription
• Your corneal thickness and shape
• Any history of eye problems or surgery.

We’ll give you honest answers—and we only treat people when we’re confident the outcome will be positive.

Still worried? That’s okay. Let’s take the first step together.

Take our self-test to find out if you’re suitable.