With a treatment as innovative as LASIK eye surgery, and because the eyes are such a sensitive area,
it is understandable that certain myths arise. Thinking about having surgery in that part of the body makes some people imagine all sorts of negative things that are not true. In fact, LASIK eye surgery is comfortable and wonderfully effective, so let’s tackle these myths head-on and replace them with the truth.
First, the name: LASIK (which is officially all capital letters). It stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The K word means surgical reshaping of the cornea, which is the clear outer layer at the front of the eyeball, covering the iris and the pupil. The cornea is responsible for directing incoming light and plays a vital role in how we see things.
1. LASIK is Painful
Absolutely untrue. At the start of the procedure, because this is such a sensitive area, you will be given numbing eye drops. In any surgical procedure, things are being physically altered, so you may be aware of certain sensations. You may feel a little pressure when the corneal flap is created, but pain? No.
For a day or two after the procedure, you may experience some minor itching and a sensation that things aren’t completely smooth, along with light sensitivity, but that’s just your body adjusting to the changes. Your eyes use tears to cleanse and protect themselves, so you might feel a watery sensation, or your tear production may be temporarily affected. It will all settle down soon, and you will only notice that your vision has improved.
2. LASIK is not Effective
That’s simply not true. LASIK is widely recognized as a highly effective procedure, with many patients achieving 20/20 vision or better after treatment. Some may reach 20/40, which still allows for driving without corrective lenses in most states, but 20/20 vision means you can see at 20 feet what the average person sees at 20 feet, a benchmark of clear, sharp vision.
There’s a common misconception that 20/20 is “perfect” vision. While it’s not the best human eyesight possible, it is considered the standard for excellent visual acuity. For those who have struggled with distance vision for years, the results of LASIK can feel life-changing.
Of course, results vary depending on individual eye conditions and goals. The most important measure of success is achieving the vision correction that aligns with what your LASIK surgeon has determined is possible, and in the vast majority of cases, that goal is met or exceeded.
3. LASIK Recovery is Difficult
Absolutely untrue. The human body is great at healing itself, and this is no exception. After LASIK surgery, your eyes will quickly return to normal – your new, improved normal. The period of adjustment can be as short as a few weeks, and you could be back at work sooner than that. As with recovery from any surgery, patients should get plenty of rest and avoid jarring activity. Boxing, obviously, would be extremely unwise, as would heading a soccer ball. It’s really a matter of common sense.
4. Everyone Can Get LASIK
Not everyone, but most people. It all depends on what your sight issue is. If your problem is nearsightedness (you can see things close up but not so well at longer distances) or farsightedness (good at distance but less good up close), LASIK can make a huge difference; however, there are instances where it is not appropriate. For instance, if you have thin or irregular corneas or an eye condition such as glaucoma, you may not be a suitable candidate for LASIK. You can discuss this with your optometrist/family eye doctor, and they may suggest you contact a LASIK clinic, or they may do it on your behalf, because these conversations tend to get very technical.
5. LASIK Can Cause Blindness
This is so unlikely that it is almost ridiculous to mention it. It’s a scary rumor circulated by people who like drama. Some estimates put the likelihood at one in five million. You are far more likely to get run over by a bus and then struck by lightning. Any eye surgery obviously comes with risks because the eyes are such sensitive and delicate pieces of equipment. But with a highly trained, qualified LASIK surgeon, you will be in good hands.
6. LASIK can’t Correct Astigmatism
Another random myth put about by people who don’t know what they are talking about. Astigmatism means a cornea is slightly out of shape and needs correcting. That is exactly what LASIK is good for.
7. LASIK is Too Expensive
What does “too expensive” mean? Sure, LASIK is not cheap as it is a highly specialized procedure carried out by top professionals. For some people, it is a question of priorities. Do you really need a new car or an expensive vacation, or would it be better to get your eyesight fixed? They say you can’t put a price on good health, and your eyes definitely come into that. Maybe it’s time to stop thinking about it, bite the bullet, and put this particular physical issue behind you.
If you would find it difficult to come up with the sort of money a LASIK clinic quotes you, they may have finance options, because you won’t be the first – or last – person in this position.
8. LASIK Causes Dry Eyes
Immediately after surgery, the affected eye can feel dry, and as we saw earlier, our eyes use tears to soothe and help heal themselves. That can be temporarily affected by surgery. However, eyes are also great at recovering, so the dry eye feeling should disappear quickly, probably in 6-12 months.
9. LASIK Doesn’t Last
LASIK treatment is permanent, which means the improvement will last for the rest of your life. However, the body changes, including aging, and performance can deteriorate over the years, including the eyes.
10. LASIK is Too Risky
As we have seen above, LASIK is not really risky at all. The benefits can transform an individual’s life, bringing their sight up to standard and enabling people to carry out everyday tasks that they have struggled with in the past. If there is a risk in all this, it’s the risk of NOT getting LASIK surgery and going through your life with impaired vision.
Want to find out more? Talk to us for more information on our diagnostic and eye treatment services.
