If LASIK improves vision it stands to reason that one would have better night vision as a result of the procedure. LASIK is perhaps the most well-known laser eye surgery performed that corrects myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism that leaves the majority of patients with better vision and, in many cases, 20/20 or even 20/40 vision. LASIK is specifically designed to correct blurred vision and restore it to sharp, clear vision by reshaping the cornea. If you experienced increased difficulty seeing at night due to refractive errors, LASIK will likely fix those night vision issues.
Conditions of the eye are classified into 2 categories: low-order aberrations and higher-order aberrations. Low-order aberrations like farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism are easily corrected with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses or LASIK surgery. Higher-order aberrations are complex imperfections in the optical system of the eye and do not respond to traditional LASIK. If poor night vision is caused by a higher-order aberration, the patient will require a custom LASIK procedure that utilizes wavefront technology to repair the eyes with a different kind of laser surgery.
Night vision problems can be a side effect of traditional LASIK. During LASIK, a flap is created in the topmost layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium. It is through this epithelial flap that the cornea’s shape can be properly adjusted via laser. Once this is accomplished, the flap is set down to heal. During recovery, your eyes will have to make certain adjustments because of this flap including contrast and light sensitivity. For some patients, it may not be safe to drive at night until healing is complete, which can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, as it varies from patient to patient. However, once you have healed and the adjustment period is over, you should notice considerable improvement to your night vision thanks to LASIK.
For more frequently asked questions about how Skyline LASIK performs LASIK eye surgery and to find out if you are a good candidate, we invite you to schedule a comprehensive eye exam by calling 719-444-3000.
