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Wed, July 9, 2025
Laser eye surgery

Is laser eye surgery safe? What Australians need to know

Laser eye surgery has transformed the lives of millions, offering freedom from glasses and contact lenses. However, it's natural to have concerns about the safety of any surgical procedure, especially when it involves your vision. This article aims to provide a clear, evidence-based overview of laser eye surgery's safety, particularly within the Australian context.

Understanding the safety profile

Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure that uses precision lasers to reshape the cornea in order to correct common vision problems like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. There are various ways in which a laser can be used to reshape the cornea, the three common procedures being: 

  • LASIK, in which a self-sealing "flap" is created and the tissue underneath is reshaped 
  • SmartSight, in which a thin layer of tissue is created then removed via keyhole incision to reshape the cornea
  • Trans-PRK, in which the the cool laser essentially "evaporates" the top layer and the tissue underneath to reshape it, then the top layer naturally grows back

Laser eye surgery (regardless of the procedure) is widely regarded as a safe and effective long-term treatment for refractive errors (myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism). In Australia, stringent regulations and advanced technologies contribute to high safety standards.

There have been no known cases of blindness as a result of laser eye surgery in Australia. As with any type of surgery, complications can occur, but with laser eye surgery they are rare and often manageable. 

Common risks and side effects

Like all surgical procedures, laser eye surgery carries potential risks. Understanding these risks before you make any decision can help set realistic expectations:

  • Dry Eyes: Temporary dryness can occur after any eye surgery, and typically resolves within a few months. Persistent dry eye affects a small percentage of patients. At Medownick Laser Clinic, we look for pre-existing indications of dry eyes and may factor this into your treatment recommendation, helping you to manage this ahead of time and mitigate any symptoms, as well as giving you lubricating drops and other assistance to maximise your comfort as you heal. 
  • Visual Disturbances: Some patients experience glare, halos, or double vision, especially at night, after having a procedure on their eyes. These symptoms occur in less than 2 percent of patients, and are less prevalent with modern laser eye surgery techniques. If they do occur, they usually diminish over time as your eyes heal. 
  • Infection: The risk of infection is extremely low, estimated at 1 in 10,000 cases. The biggest risk of infection is not during the surgery, but when you get home. We give you simple but important instructions to ensure you do not put yourself at risk of infection while your eyes are healing, such as maintaining excellent hand-and-eye hygiene, not allowing pets in the room with you, and not touching your eyes.  
  • Undercorrection or Overcorrection: In some cases, a patient may experience an abnormal healing-response that results in an under-correction or over-correction of their vision. This is more common in patients with high degrees of refraction, because the treatment zone is larger. In these cases, a simple enhancement procedure may be recommended. At Medownick, this enhancement is free of charge within five years of laser surgery.

Rare but serious complications

While serious complications are exceedingly rare, they can have significant impacts:

  • Corneal Ectasia: A condition where the cornea becomes unstable, potentially leading to vision loss. This is rare, and often associated with pre-existing corneal conditions. Medownick's thorough screening process is intended to pick up on any pre-existing conditions, and we will not recommend you for laser if we believe you are at risk of corneal ectasia. Whenever we have to tell a patient they are unsuitable for laser they are understandably disappointed, but their safety and vision are always our top priority.
  • Chronic Pain or Visual Issues: An extremely small number of patients report long-term discomfort or visual disturbances. These cases are uncommon and often linked to specific individual factors relating to their eye health, general physical health, mental health, and pre-existing medical conditions. Once again, at Medownick we take our duty-of-care very seriously at when assessing our patients for suitability. In addition to state-of-the-art visual screening, our clinical team aim to get a complete picture of your general health, any medications you are taking, and understand your lifestyle and vision goals, so they can be sure they only recommend safe and effective procedures for you. 

Factors enhancing safety

There are several reasons why Australia has one of the highest safety profiles of laser eye surgery in the world: 

  • Regulatory Oversight: Australian clinics operate under strict regulations and are held rigorously accountable, ensuring high standards of care for every patient.
  • Technological Advancements: Modern lasers and diagnostic tools enhance precision and reduce risks. Medownick Laser Clinic regularly invests in advanced laser technologies, including the world-renowned Schwind ATOS and Schwind Amaris lasers. Our laser technology is so advanced that doctors from other clinics across Melbourne choose to bring their patients to Medownick just to have access to our advanced lasers.
  • Surgeon Expertise: Experienced surgeons can better assess suitability and manage potential complications. Dr Mark Medownick has been performing refractive surgeries for more than four decades, and is widely recognised as one of the founders of laser eye surgery in Australia. All four opthalmologists (eye surgeons) at Medownick are senior surgeons with decades of experience and thousands of happy, safe patients under their belts. 

Making an informed decision

If you are considering laser eye surgery to reduce or completely remove your reliance on glasses or contact lenses, you can take some simple steps to ensure you are making a safe and informed decision. 

  • Start with a comprehensive suitability assessment: Medownick's experienced clinical team will guide you through a detailed screening process, following the surgeons' protocols, to determine if laser eye surgery is right for you.
  • Understand the risks and benefits: ask all your questions, read the detailed notes we give you at your assessment, and weigh the potential improvements in quality of life against the small risk of complications.
  • Follow your pre- and post-operative Instructions: adhering to medical advice and ensuring you do not miss any post-operative appointments will significantly reduce the risk of complications.

Still wanting to know more? 

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance.