LASIK Complications Treatment in Irvine, California
LASIK Complications — At a Glance
Severity & Type
When to See a Doctor
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam if you experience persistent symptoms.
Key Symptoms
- Halos, glare, or starbursts around lights at night
- Vision regression — glasses needed again after LASIK
- Chronic dry eye that began after LASIK
- Fluctuating vision throughout the day
- Visual disturbances in low light or while driving at night
Treatment Options
- Scleral Contact Lens Fitting
- Scleral Ortho-K for Residual Refractive Error
- Premium Specialty RGP Lenses
- Advanced Dry Eye Management (IPL, LipiFlow)
- Corneal Ectasia Monitoring & Co-management
LASIK complications affect approximately 1-5% of patients and include halos and glare at night, corneal ectasia (progressive weakening), regression of correction, chronic dry eye, undercorrection or overcorrection, and higher-order aberrations. Dr. Bonakdar has managed post-LASIK patients since LASIK became available in the 1990s and specializes in non-surgical solutions including scleral lenses and scleral ortho-K.
Irvine's screen-intensive work culture can influence how lasik complications symptoms are experienced throughout the day. We factor your digital lifestyle into our diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
Dr. Bonakdar on LASIK Complications
Direct Answers from Dr. Bonakdar
Dr. Alexander Bonakdar at EyeCare Center of Orange County provides expert lasik complications diagnosis and treatment for patients in Irvine and throughout Orange County. With over 35 years of clinical experience and advanced diagnostic technology, each patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on their specific condition severity and lifestyle needs.
What are the most common LASIK complications?
The most common LASIK complications are dry eye, halos and glare at night, under-correction requiring glasses, over-correction, and higher-order aberrations causing ghosting or double vision. Less common but serious complications include ectasia, where the cornea progressively weakens after surgery.
Can LASIK complications be treated without more surgery?
Many LASIK complications can be treated without additional surgery. Scleral contact lenses correct halos, glare, and irregular astigmatism caused by LASIK. IPL therapy addresses LASIK-induced dry eye. Scleral ortho-K can reduce residual refractive error overnight. Non-surgical options are often safer and more predictable than enhancement surgery.
How long do LASIK complications last?
Some LASIK side effects like initial dryness and halos improve within 3 to 6 months as the cornea heals. However, complications involving higher-order aberrations, ectasia, or severe dry eye from nerve damage can persist indefinitely without treatment. The good news is that effective non-surgical treatments exist for most complications.
What is LASIK ectasia?
LASIK ectasia is a condition where the cornea progressively weakens and bulges after LASIK surgery, similar to keratoconus. It occurs when too much corneal tissue was removed or the patient had a predisposition. It can be detected early with regular monitoring and treated with corneal cross-linking to halt progression.
What are the symptoms of LASIK Complications?
Irvine professionals working at screens may first notice symptoms during extended computer use or at the end of a long workday:
- Halos, glare, or starbursts around lights at night
- Vision regression — glasses needed again after LASIK
- Chronic dry eye that began after LASIK
- Fluctuating vision throughout the day
- Visual disturbances in low light or while driving at night
- Undercorrection — vision not as good as expected
What happens if lasik complications is not treated?
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, lasik complications can lead to:
- Permanent halos and glare at night affecting driving safety
- Severe chronic dry eye from LASIK-induced nerve damage
- Progressive ectasia (corneal bulging) requiring transplant if unmanaged
- Continued regression of vision correction requiring stronger glasses
- Higher-order aberrations causing ghosting and double vision
- Unnecessary suffering from problems that have effective non-surgical solutions
How is LASIK Complications treated?
For Irvine's digital professionals, we prioritize treatments compatible with extended screen use and offer strategies to optimize visual comfort during work hours:
Standard Care vs. Specialized Treatment for LASIK Complications
| Aspect | Standard Approach | Specialized Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Night Vision | Halos and glare accepted as permanent | Scleral lenses neutralize higher-order aberrations |
| Dry Eye | Drops manage but don't resolve symptoms | IPL and scleral lens fluid reservoir address root cause |
| Ectasia | Progressive corneal weakening | Cross-linking co-management halts progression |
| Approach | Additional surgery (enhancement) | Non-surgical correction with fully reversible options |
| Safety | Enhancement carries same surgical risks | Scleral lenses carry no surgical risk |
LASIK Complications FAQs for Irvine Patients
Common questions from Irvine patients about our eye care services
Have more questions? Call us at (714) 558-1182
LASIK Complications Care for Irvine Residents
Irvine's tech professionals chose LASIK for the computer-screen lifestyle — and many now have post-LASIK dry eye that makes long screen sessions painful, optical aberrations causing glare on monitors, or regression requiring glasses again. Our specialty post-LASIK care combines advanced dry eye management with scleral lenses that optimize optical quality for digital work.
About Irvine
Highly educated tech hub with large Asian-American population
Population: 307,000+
Languages Spoken in Irvine
Our practice serves the diverse Irvine community. We provide care to patients who speak:
Eye Health Priorities for Irvine
- Computer vision syndrome treatment
- Digital eye strain solutions
- Blue light protection
- Dry eye from reduced blinking
- Ergonomic vision consultations
Conveniently Located Near Irvine Landmarks
Our Orange County practice is easily accessible for Irvine patients living near:
Getting to Our Office from Irvine
Irvine patients typically reach our Santa Ana office via the 5 Freeway in approximately 15 minutes. Free on-site parking is available in our building.
801 N Tustin Ave, Ste 404, Santa Ana, CA 92705 — Get DirectionsIrvine Neighborhoods We Serve
- Woodbridge
- University Park
- Northwood
- Turtle Rock
- Quail Hill
- Woodbury
Zip codes: 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92617, 92618, 92620, 92697
Why Irvine Patients Choose EyeCare Center for LASIK Complications
Corneal Specialty Practice
Dr. Bonakdar has 35+ years treating corneal conditions including lasik complications, with advanced slit lamp and topography diagnostics.
Scleral Lens Expertise
Custom scleral and specialty contact lens fittings for irregular corneas, dry eye, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Same-Day Urgent Visits
Irvine patients with acute corneal symptoms can often be seen the same day for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Coordinated Surgical Care
When corneal surgery is needed, we coordinate with top corneal surgeons and manage your complete pre- and post-operative care.
Your LASIK Complications Specialist in Irvine
Dr. Alexander Bonakdar is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 35 years of experience treating lasik complications and complex eye conditions. Trained at the #1-ranked Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, he has helped over 10,000 patients achieve and maintain clear vision.
Patient Stories from Irvine
See why your neighbors in Irvine trust us with their vision.
Comprehensive Exam
"Not a fan of getting my eyes checked but the receptionist and Dr. were very nice and eased my anxiety."
Comprehensive Exam
"I came back for my yearly visit and had a great experience as always."
Schedule Your LASIK Complications Consultation
Expert diagnosis and treatment for Irvine and Orange County residents.