Laser eye surgery risks

Like any medical procedure, there are some risks associated with laser eye surgery. At Moorfields Private you will be seen at every visit by the surgeon in charge of your care. They will discuss the risks and any possible side effects with you before you decide to go ahead with the surgery. This helps to ensure that we make the right decisions about your care together.

Thankfully, serious complications following laser eye surgery are rare and Moorfields Private has an excellent safety record.

Less than 1 in 5000 patients require further surgery to replace damaged tissue in the cornea – the clear window at the front of the eye. This is the very worst case and may be necessary if there is scarring after an infection or an abnormal healing response, and an unstable corneal shape – also called corneal ectasia. Good vision can normally be restored after a corneal transplant, although glasses or contact lenses may be required.

When weighing up the risks and benefits of laser eye surgery, it’s worth remembering that wearing contact lenses also carries some risks for your eye health. Approximately 1 in 3000 people develop a serious corneal infection every year from wearing contact lenses and some of these patients will require a corneal transplant.