Laser vision correction procedures like LASIK or PRK are often viewed as a miracle cure. The promise of ditching glasses and enjoying immediate clarity sounds irresistible. Yet reality sometimes looks different. Some patients are disappointed with the results, while others develop troubling symptoms months or even years after surgery: blurred vision, debilitating glare, extreme light sensitivity or eyes so dry that no drops help.
So what can be done in such cases? There is definitely hope, and often the answer isn’t a second surgery, but rather a precise fitting of advanced therapeutic lenses specifically designed for these situations.
Why laser surgery doesn’t always succeed
Laser surgery reshapes the cornea to correct the way light is refracted, but complications can still arise:
- Irregular astigmatism that distorts the cornea’s shape
- Night-time glare and halos around lights
- Dry eyes due to nerve damage during surgery
- Unstable vision that fluctuates throughout the day
- Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) that ordinary glasses cannot fix
In such scenarios, ordinary spectacles aren’t enough – more sophisticated solutions are needed.
Who benefits from therapeutic lenses?
These lenses are particularly suitable for patients who experience:
- Persistent blur that glasses don’t solve
- Severe glare or halos, especially at night
- Chronic dry eye
- Sensitivity to soft contact lenses
- Ongoing disappointment after surgery
- Complex optical aberrations
A precise diagnosis is essential to determine whether a lens is the right answer. Sometimes, more complex corneal distortions require advanced solutions such as custom scleral lenses with HOA correction – enabling sharp vision even when the optics are highly irregular.
Types of lenses for post-laser complications
- Custom scleral lenses – These large, rigid lenses sit on the white of the eye and create a fluid reservoir over the cornea. They are ideal for tackling dryness, glare and complex distortions.
- RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses – Smaller rigid lenses that provide sharp vision but are sometimes uncomfortable after surgery.
- Hybrid lenses – Combining the comfort of a soft lens with the clarity of a rigid lens. They may be less effective for severe dryness.
- Custom soft lenses – Suitable for milder cases, though less precise than other options and not ideal for chronic dry eye.
Many people confuse these options and don’t know which to choose. That’s why it’s important to separate myth from reality. For example, our blog post on scleral lens myths explains what’s really true.
How is the fitting process carried out?
At M’Eye Clinic the process includes:
- A full mapping of the cornea and ocular structure to analyse the situation accurately.
- Evaluating dryness, corneal thickness and reflexes.
- An OCT scan of the anterior segment including epithelial thickness.
- Trying a sample lens to see how the eye reacts.
- Monitoring the patient’s comfort and vision.
- Ordering a custom-made lens tailored to those measurements.
- In specific cases, taking an impression of the eye to create an EyePrintPRO lens.
The entire journey is accompanied by empathetic guidance.
What about the emotional aspect?
Many patients describe feeling bitterly disappointed. They expected to be “free of lenses” but find themselves returning to them. This time, however, it’s different: therapeutic lenses are highly precise and advanced. They aren’t a step backwards but rather a move forward to improve quality of life.
A failed laser surgery often leads to severe dry eye, particularly in people with chronic illnesses or conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome. See our article on the link between dry eyes and chronic diseases to learn more about symptoms and treatments.
When should you seek help?
If you’ve had laser surgery and still suffer from symptoms, don’t wait. At M’Eye Clinic we specialise in fitting scleral lenses and EyePrintPRO for particularly complex situations – including corneal wounds or irregularities that don’t respond to other treatments.