How Does Laser Eye Surgery Affect Night Vision?
Laser eye surgery, or LASIK, is a commonly performed treatment that has benefitted so many people. Not only does it help correct near sidedness, farsightedness, and astigmatisms. It can also help you see better at night. Having confidence doing nighttime activities is important. Especially when the activity is driving. Columbus Laser & Cataract Center understands the importance of being able to do daily tasks and appreciating the beauty of life. Being able to see clearly is one of the most important qualities to be able to accomplish daily tasks which result in having a high-quality life. With the latest technology, we are able to provide people the options to improve their vision that glasses or contacts may not be able to provide. We are proud to be able to offer these services and be able to call ourselves experts at knowing how to give our patients the ability to see more clearly.
Columbus Laser & Cataract Center Wants to Empower Their Patients
We are a leading specialist in LASIK and have the knowledge and experience to help prepare you for your procedure and help set expectations. There will be many changes after your operation. Your vision being improved, and your comfort is our most important goal. We want to empower you to be informed in all aspects during your time with us, so you feel involved and have the knowledge to help you make educated decisions. You may experience some other changes which we see vary patient to patient. One of the most dramatic differences we notice with patients after getting their treatment is the difference in their night vision. You will be able to see more clearly and complete tasks with confidence in more low-light situations. To help prepare you for these changes, we have put a list together to help you understand what to expect after your appointment. Below are a few things you can expect after getting eye surgery:
Improved Vision
Your vision over-all will significantly improve, including your night vision. Before surgery, you may have need to rely on glasses or contacts to fully see and correct your vision at night. Now you will be able to see more clearly in conditions that are not as bright. You should see significant changes in your night vision especially when you are driving. You may experience a little bit of fogginess initially, but this will be mild and will improve over time. Before proceeding with eye surgery, you should always consult with a doctor about any concerns or questions you may have. They will help you explore your options and help you set any expectations you may have prior to going in for your appointment.
No More Lense Glares
If you have worn glasses at night, you likely have experienced glares and reflections from your lenses. These reflections can be very distracting and potentially dangerous. After getting LASIK, you may not need to rely on wearing glasses at night or even need them at all. Having a clearer view will let you enjoy any situation you may be in, to the fullest.
Forget Your Foggy and Dirty Glasses
In addition to not having to worry about a glare from your lens, the days of constantly having to clean your glasses are over. The nuisance of not being able to see through a smudge on a lens or your glasses getting foggy when doing a task are over. No longer will you need to constantly remove glasses and wipe them clean.
Early Days of Recovery May Come With Some Minor Inconveniences At Night
While you are recovering after your surgery, you may experience a few inconveniences for a short amount of time. These are common side effects that are mild and will improve with time. Our technology for LASIK is rapidly advancing. At Columbus Laser & Cataract Center, we make sure to stay up to date on the best tools and technologies and incorporate them into our practice. Today, our eye surgeons are able to accomplish groundbreaking eye corrections that were previously thought impossible. With our technology updating, we see these minor post-op challenges changing as well. Our specialists have access to the best tools possible for your procedure which allow us to avoid long term issues. Some patients experience no challenges after their surgery, while some may have a few sensitivities which are to be expected. There are minor challenges from getting LASIK that are a common occurrence. All patients, regardless of their age or pre-surgery prescription, may experience any of these problems.
Below are a few different challenges that we see some patients experience for a short period of time after their eye surgery:
1. Issues with Contrast Sensitivity
Contrast sensitivity is the ability to recognize objects from their backgrounds. In low-light conditions, some individuals may not be able to recognize an object from the background it sits in front of initially. Halos and starbursts can appear after surgery and blend objects and their backgrounds making it difficult to see an object as it is supposed to be.
2. Dry Eyes
After LASIK, you may experience some dryness in your eyes. This is a common side effect, and it will make you slightly more sensitive to light. Dryness may also result in slightly blurred vision in low-light or dim environments. To help combat this, we recommend you use the drops prescribed by your doctor regularly and as needed.
3. Over Dilated Pupils
Your eyes naturally dilate when you are in low-light environments. When your pupil is dilated, more light is able to go into the eye which allows us to see better when it is darker. The opposite happens when we are in bright light environments. They will get smaller which helps control and limit the amount of light that enters the eye. After getting eye surgery, sometimes we find that there are some patients who may experience more dilation in their eyes beyond what is needed in low-light situations. When this happens, the individual will experience halos and starbursts when looking at certain objects in lower light environments. While these challenges may be concerning, this is an indication to us that your eyes are working on responding to the natural responses to light. This side effect is very minor. Some patients may experience more night vision challenges than others.
4. Halos
After getting LASIK, many people may experience halos when looking at lights at night. You may see faint rings or circles around streetlights or headlights. These halos are a natural part of healing and recovering from eye surgery. They may last a few days to several months. They are not a major concern and will eventually go away. They will not interfere with the quality of your day-to-day life.
5. Starbursts
Like halos, starbursts may radiate a star-shaped pattern from behind bright objects. Starbursts are more visible at the end of the day and are a symptom related to corneal swelling. Corneal swealing can last a few months after your eye surgery but will eventually go away. Once the swelling subsides, the starburst like rays that radiate from behind bright lights will also go away as well.
Communication with Your Doctor Is Important!
Advances in eye surgery have reduced the problems that often occurred after procedures. Though these problems can still happen, they are not likely to be permanent. Long-term problems are not as common in most patients, and they typically subside within a few weeks or a few months. To help avoid any additional challenges, we recommend avoiding rubbing your eyes, avoid swimming, avoid any eye makeup, wearing sunglasses during the day, and using the proscribed eye drops given to you after your appointment.
If you have any concerns or questions, please bring these hesitations to your doctor and ask prior to your appointment. If you have had your eye treatment and are experiencing any of the above problems, please reach out to your doctor or provider.
Your Comfort and Satisfaction Are Our Top Priority!
We Have the Expertise to Give You the Vision You’ve Always Wanted!
Columbus Laser & Cataract Center is an award-winning ophthalmic practice who specialize in LASIK surgery. Between both of our doctors who specialize in vision correction, they have a combined experience of over 50 years. We have completed over 75,000 procedures. You can trust our expertise in being able to provide you not only the best care, but also delivering you a clearer outlook in your day-to-day life. The results from their procedures have benefitted thousands of patients throughout Central Ohio and have helped those people see clearer during the day and night. Reach out to Columbus Laser & Cataract Center today to learn more about what options you have for eye surgery and how it can make the quality of your life better. We will provide you answers to any questions or concerns you may have!