Can I get higher order aberrations from LASIK Eye Surgery?

Higher order aberrations are vision problems that cannot be detected through a conventional eye exam. These are an additional category of impairments that can occur naturally or after a change in the physiology of your eye, including surgeries. Higher order aberrations can include halos, ghosting, double vision, starbursts, and a number of other odd vision issues.

For some people, higher order aberrations are a common occurrence. They may say they did not have a precipitating event, but sometimes, even small anatomic or physiologic changes in the eye can cause such problems. For others, they'll be able to tell you the exact time and circumstances under which their higher order aberrations began.

LASIK Eye Surgery can cause higher order aberrations in some people. However, it should be noted that these occurrences are less and less frequent, thanks to constant advances in technology and updates in techniques and equipment. The most common higher order aberration as a result of LASIK has been reported as halos around light, which, for many people, fade in just a short amount of time.

If you're experiencing a new higher order aberration, be sure to tell your vision specialist.