Is laser eye surgery safe?

If you're thinking about laser eye surgery, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is: Is it safe?

It’s a fair question. After all, we’re talking about your eyes—your vision, your freedom from glasses and contact lenses, your daily life. And yes, it’s surgery. So a little anxiety is normal.

The short answer? Yes. In most cases, laser eye surgery is safe, predictable, and effective. But let’s break that down so you feel confident in your decision.

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery reshapes the clear front part of the eye (called the cornea) so light focuses properly on the back of your eye. This can fix short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (uneven focus).

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we offer three main types of laser procedures:

• LASIK – The most common option. It involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, reshaping the tissue underneath, then placing the flap back.
• LASEK – A surface-based treatment. The outer layer of the cornea is moved aside before the laser is applied, then replaced.
• TransPRK – A no-touch surface treatment. The laser removes the surface layer and reshapes the cornea in one step.

Each option is chosen based on your eyes, your prescription, and your lifestyle.

How safe is it, really?

Here’s what the research and real-world data say:

• Over 95% of people are satisfied with the results of their laser eye surgery.
• The risk of serious complications is very low—less than 1%.
• In experienced hands, the safety profile is excellent, especially with modern laser technology.

LASIK has been around for over 30 years and has been performed on millions of eyes worldwide. LASEK and TransPRK are also well-established, especially for people with thinner corneas or active lifestyles.

Most people experience better vision within days of treatment.

What are the risks?

No procedure is completely risk-free. But with proper screening and expert care, most problems can be avoided or managed.

Here are a few things that can happen:

• Dry eyes: Usually temporary and treatable with drops.
• Glare or halos at night: Often improve within weeks.
• Undercorrection or overcorrection: In some cases, a second treatment may be needed.
• Infection: Very rare, and preventable with eye drops.

The key is having a full assessment first to check if you’re suitable—and to decide which treatment is safest for your eyes.

How do we make it safer?

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we take safety seriously. Here's how we protect your vision:

• We screen every patient thoroughly before recommending treatment.
• We use advanced technology to map your eyes in detail.
• We follow strict safety protocols and hygiene standards.
• Our procedures are done by highly trained professionals with years of experience.

If you’re not suitable, we’ll tell you honestly. Safety comes before everything else.

So, should you be worried?

It’s natural to feel nervous. But it helps to know this:

• Millions of people have had LASIK, LASEK or TransPRK safely.
• The vast majority see better, feel more confident, and say it was worth it.
• When done right, laser eye surgery is one of the most successful procedures in modern medicine.

You don’t have to decide right now—but if you’re curious, the best first step is to find out if you’re suitable.

Want to find out if you’re a good candidate?
Take our quick self-test. It’s free, takes just a few minutes, and gives you personalised results.