Laser eye surgery is one of the most preferred treatments for the removal of refractive errors and restoration of clear vision. The treatment, which is effective in eliminating refractive errors, may have some side effects during the healing process. These side effects, which are usually temporary, may cause the patient to feel short-term discomfort. Photosensitivity can be shown as one of these effects. So why does photosensitivity occur after laser surgery? Is this problem a permanent problem? Let’s take a look.
Photosensitivity After Laser Surgery and Points to Consider
Let’s start from the beginning and talk about the effects that cause photosensitivity during laser surgery. During laser surgery, the corneal tissue must thin to a certain extent. During the reshaping of the tissue, the cornea is slightly damaged as it becomes thinner. After this situation, sensitivity to light develops and the patient feels discomfort when looking at light sources.
Some additional conditions may also cause increased sensitivity to light. We add examples for these right below.
- Temporary edema after laser,
- Dry eye, which often occurs temporarily after the laser,
- Watery eyes and similar effects that may occur after surgery.
Along with all these effects, photosensitivity may occur immediately after the surgery. Especially when you look at positions close to light sources, the feeling of discomfort in the eye may increase. However, this situation usually improves within a few days to a few weeks following the surgery.
The important thing here will be to go to the controls on time. Although it is observed as a normal effect during the healing process, if the photosensitivity problem persists, in this case, it is absolutely necessary to consult the specialist ophthalmologist who performed the operation and mention the complaint.
