Thinking about getting LASIK soon? We’re guessing that you’ve probably heard a lot about this laser eye surgery, but there’s a huge chance that not everything is true!
Although LASIK is the most performed elective eye procedure in the world, many of its misconceptions remain. Ever heard that LASIK isn't suitable for older people and that it can potentially lead to blindness?
To help you feel more confident in your decision, we’ll address some of the most common misconceptions about laser eye surgeries!
Myth 1: LASIK is painful
“Is LASIK painful?” is perhaps the most commonly asked question by patients who want to undergo laser eye surgery.
The short and honest answer to this is that LASIK isn’t painful at all. In most cases, you won’t feel anything during the procedure because anaesthetic drops will be administered to numb your eyes.
When it comes to LASIK, it’s worth noting that discomfort is different from pain!
According to the doctors at Shinagawa Eye Centre, it’s common to experience a slight feeling of pressure as the laser docks with your eyes, but this feeling should last no more than 30 seconds.
Also, as the anaesthesia starts to wear off after the surgery, you may start experiencing some discomfort and tearing, but nothing too serious that calls for your doctor’s attention.
That’s why LASIK patients are highly encouraged to head straight home and get as much sleep as possible to wear off the discomfort.
Myth 2: LASIK only corrects short-sightedness
LASIK was largely focused on treating short sightedness in its early days.
As laser eye technology continues to evolve, LASIK can now address the four most common types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
However, there’s a prescription range in which certain laser eye treatments are able to correct, so patients have to undergo an evaluation to determine the most suitable procedure for them.
Myth 3: LASIK complications are common and serious
Just a friendly reminder here that no medical procedure is completely without risk - and LASIK is no exception!
It’s important to be aware of every potential risk connected to your medical procedure. With LASIK, it’s the surgeon’s responsibility to discuss with you all the possible outcomes during and after the surgery.
LASIK complications you need to know include overcorrection, under-correction, corneal flap damage, infections, and dry eyes.
Nevertheless, the benefits associated with LASIK can outweigh any potential and extremely low risks.
The possibility of something going wrong during and after LASIK is around 1 in 1,000. In simpler terms, you have nothing to worry about as long as you’re under the care of a qualified and experienced surgeon.
Myth 4: LASIK is suitable for everyone
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. It may not be the right treatment for you if you have an unstable eye prescription, thin corneas, severely dry eyes, irregularly shaped eyes, and pre-existing eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.
Age doesn’t automatically disqualify you from LASIK, but it can affect suitability. Many people assume that it’s reserved mostly for younger people, but there’s actually no age limit as long as your eyes are healthy.
Myth 5: LASIK results are temporary
Some people believe that the results of laser eye surgery will reverse after a few years, but this isn’t exactly correct.
The results of LASIK are permanent, but it’s important to remember that our eyes continue to age naturally despite undergoing laser eye surgery. It remains the longer-lasting solution than other types of vision correction.