LASIK and Night Vision: The Truth About Your Post-Treatment Eyesight

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on September 15, 2025

If you’ve ever struggled with halos, glare or poor contrast while driving at night, you’re not alone. Night vision challenges are common for people with refractive errors like nearsightedness or astigmatism. Fortunately, Modern LASIK doesn’t just improve daytime clarity—it can also enhance your ability to see in low-light conditions. As the days get shorter and nights get longer this fall, let’s explore how Modern LASIK with Missouri Eye Institute can help you reclaim your nighttime confidence.

Why Night Vision Suffers with “Refractive Errors”

Refractive errors – nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism – distort how light enters the eye, causing blurred or scattered images. At night, when pupils dilate to let in more light, these distortions can become more noticeable. Patients often report halos around headlights or difficulty reading street signs. When our surgeons perform All-Laser LASIK to correct the erroneous shape of the cornea, this allows light to focus properly on the retina—even in dim conditions.

LASIK’s Impact on Nighttime Clarity

After LASIK surgery, many patients notice sharper contrast and reduced glare during nighttime activities. This improvement happens because the laser reshaping of the cornea eliminates irregularities that scatter light. With a smoother corneal surface, your eyes can process low-light environments more efficiently, making night driving and evening walks more comfortable.

Additionally, the reduction in higher-order aberrations (complex vision errors that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses), contributes to the enhanced night vision. These aberrations can cause halos, starbursts and ghosting around lights, particularly in dim conditions. By addressing these issues, LASIK surgery helps to provide a clearer and more stable visual experience at night.

Moreover, advancements in LASIK technology, such as wavefront-guided LASIK, allow for a more personalized treatment. This technology maps the unique imperfections in your eye, enabling the laser to correct even the most minute irregularities. The result? Fewer halos, less starbursting, improved night vision and overall improved vision compared to older LASIK methods.

RLE: A LASIK Alternative with Night Vision Benefits

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a surgical option for patients who aren’t ideal LASIK candidates—especially those over 40 or with thin corneas. RLE replaces the eye’s natural lens with a high-performance intraocular lens (IOL). 

Many RLE patients report enhanced night vision due to the lens’ ability to reduce glare and improve contrast. Plus, RLE prevents cataracts from forming later in life, offering long-term clarity. The type of introaocular lens selected can affect the experience of halos at night, so be sure to ask your doctor about the night vision effects of the RLE procedure.

What to Expect After Surgery

Whether you choose LASIK or RLE, night vision typically improves within days to weeks. Some patients experience temporary halos or light sensitivity during healing, but these effects usually fade. At Missouri Eye Institute, our surgeons use advanced diagnostics to tailor each procedure for optimal nighttime results.

Night vision doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. Whether you undergo a laser vision correction procedure at our Springfield LASIK center, or the RLE lens replacement procedure, you have options to enjoy more confidence after dark. Our team at Missouri Eye Institute is here to guide you toward the best solution for your lifestyle and vision goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can LASIK fix astigmatism? 

Yes. Our Modern LASIK procedure is designed to correct astigmatism by reshaping the cornea to eliminate uneven curvature. Your Missouri Eye Institute surgeon will take this into account to tailor your procedure to your unique eyes, lifestyle and vision goals.

Is LASIK painful? 

Most patients feel little to no pain during or after LASIK. Missouri Eye uses effective numbing drops to ensure you feel nothing, and recovery is typically comfortable.

How long does LASIK take? 

Much of the time involved in your customized LASIK procedure occurs during the surgical planning and preparation phase. The procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes per eye, with only a few seconds of that involving the laser. You’ll be in and out of our office within a few hours.

Can I wear makeup after LASIK? 

Your LASIK surgeon will recommend you avoid eye makeup for at least one week to reduce the risk of infection or irritation.

Will I need glasses after LASIK? 

LASIK and RLE patients can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses, enjoying a degree of visual freedom many have never experienced.

Is RLE covered by insurance? 

Like LASIK, RLE is considered elective and usually not covered by insurance. Missouri Eye Institute offers surgery financing with flexible payment plans to help patients gain their visual freedom today and make small monthly payments later.

Can I drive the day after LASIK? 

Most patients resume driving within just 24 to 48 hours, depending on their healing and comfort.

How do I know if I’m a LASIK candidate? 

A consultation with your eye doctor will include scans and a review of your health history to determine eligibility. In the meantime, you can take a quick LASIK Self-Test to find out if you may be a candidate.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses, with convenient locations in Springfield, Joplin and Branson. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a thorough consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.