Starbursts after LASIK
Starburst effect, or starbursting, is a common complication of laser eye surgery. This complication may be prevented with proper patient screening and counseling.
In general, the severity of starbursts depends on the size of the patient's pupils at night relative to the size of the laser treatment zone. Driving at night can be extremely dangerous for laser eye surgery patients. Studies report that up to 50% of patients have compromised night vision after LASIK. Some patients eventually get used to seeing small starbursts at night, but patients with large pupils who experience severe starbursts may be incapacitated and unable to function at night.
Accurate measurement of patients' pupils prior to LASIK is critical in the surgical screening process. Patients whose pupil size exceeds the size of the laser treatment zone are not good candidates for LASIK.
Related Topics: Large Pupils and LASIK and Night Vision after LASIK