The effects of displacement damage due to 1 MeV electron radiation on 680 nm and 850 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) were experimentally investigated. The displacement damage dose was calculated using the MULASSIS tool, where it was found that radiation significantly affects the threshold current of VCSELs. The threshold current damage factor is 2.46 × 10−18 cm2/e for 680 nm VCSELs and 1.48 × 10−18 cm2/e for 850 nm VCSELs. In addition, the power intensity distribution and light output power degradation were characterized to evaluate the radiation hardness of VCSELs. An understanding of the performance degradation of VCSELs under electron exposure would be useful in optimizing their applications in hostile environments.