Common Lasik Myths / Concerns Explained

Perhaps you’ve thought about laser eye surgery in the past, but have been put off after sifting through some of the myths and misinformation about the procedure. Or, perhaps you have a friend who told you she heard “this,” or he heard “that” about LASIK eye surgery.  With all the myths and misinformation out there, how do you determine the truth? Don’t let yourself be mislead by incorrect information. Get the facts about LASIK and let’s debunk these common LASIK myths.

Myth: LASIK is painful

It is completely natural to worry if there will be pain when undergoing any procedure. The good news, however, is that LASIK patients rarely report any pain. Drops are used to numb the eyes. Typically, you will feel some slight pressure at the start of the procedure, which will last a couple minutes.

Myth: LASIK is such a new surgery that all the potential risks and side effects aren’t known yet

It is a common misconception that LASIK eye surgery is a new procedure. People fear this “new and unknown” operation. In fact, laser eye surgery was invented in the 1980’s, with the first US procedure occurring in 1987.[i] This means that LASIK has been performed in the US for over 30 years! Moreover, the technology continues to improve, which means better results for you.

Myth: LASIK only works on nearsighted patients

Two factors have led to the prevalence of this myth. One, nearsightedness is one of the most common eye conditions, so of course, many LASIK patients are nearsighted. Two, when LASIK first came on the scene, it was only used to treat nearsightedness (also called “myopia”). Today, LASIK eye surgery can treat much more than just nearsightedness, including other refractive errors such as farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.

Myth: You will never need glasses again after having LASIK

This myth is a yes and no. After LASIK, you will most likely be able to ditch your glasses!  According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 8/10 people who undergo LASIK eye surgery no longer need glasses or contact lenses for most of their activities.[ii] However, you may still need your glasses for certain activities (like driving at night or reading). Additionally, having undergone LASIK will not change the fact that your eyes will  continue to age naturally, which may mean a change in vision down the road.

Myth: You can go blind from LASIK

The fear of going blind is very common, but it is extremely uncommon to experience vision loss due to laser eye surgery. There has never been a reported case of a patient going blind from LASIK.[iii]

Myth: The treatment time is very long

Most patients are surprised to find out how quickly the procedure is over, often in as little as 15 minutes. Recovery time is also not typically a lengthy process. People can go home immediately after the procedure and back to their everyday schedule within 24 hours.

Myth: LASIK is too expensive for most people to afford

Don’t write off LASIK as too expensive before doing some research. There are a variety of payment options to look into:

• There are insurance savings – TLC Laser Eye Centers partners with most vision and health insurance companies to give members a savings on LASIK.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can pay for elective services like LASIK and other laser eye surgeries.
• If you have Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to use that money toward LASIK eye surgery.
• Finally, many providers will offer financing options as well, helping to put LASIK in your reach. TLC Laser Eye Centers works with CareCredit to offer patients attractive financing options that make your LASIK procedure as affordable as possible.

Myth: You’re too old to get LASIK

You may assume you’re too old to bother getting laser eye surgery, or that your eyes are “too far gone.” In fact, there is no age limit for receiving LASIK! Even patients in their 60’s experience clearer vision with laser eye surgery. See a LASIK specialist to help you determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK.

Myth: LASIK can’t treat astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common eye condition that results in a distortion of the image on the retina of the eye due to an imperfection in the curvature of the cornea. This can make it difficult to treat with glasses or contact lenses. The good news is that LASIK eye surgery treats common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Are you ready to move past the myths and get the facts about LASIK eye surgery? Schedule a free consultation with a LASIK specialist at a TLC Laser Eye Center location near you.

 

[i] History of Refractive Surgery. (2013). Eyedoctornetwork.org. Retrieved from

http://www.eyedoctornetwork.org/history-of-refractive-surgery.htm

[ii] Mayo Clinic staff. (2019). LASIK eye surgery. MayoClinic.org. Retrieved from

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774

[iii] American Refractive Surgery Council. (2019). LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You

Should Know. Americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org. Retrieved from https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts/