LASIK eye surgery is life-changing for many that suffer from common vision problems, but why are there still many that are worried about this simple procedure?
In reality, Lasik is a safe procedure with a high success rate. This eye surgery can improve your quality of life and many patients leave with 20/20 vision too. We want to dispel some of the myths surrounding this modern procedure to let readers know that Lasik is a safe and easy option for vision problems!
Table of Contents
Lasik isn’t a Permanent Solution
There are Long-term Side Effects
You Can’t Have Cataract Surgery After Lasik
Complications Can’t Be Corrected
The Treatment is Only for Nearsighted Patients
Lasik Eye Surgery is Painful
One of the major concerns for most people is that laser eye surgery will be painful. This is false, and in most cases, you don’t feel anything during the laser procedure. Beforehand you’re given anesthetic eye drops to ensure the experience is painless. After the surgery you may feel some slight discomfort, but it passes as your eye heals in a short amount of time.
I’m Too Old for Lasik
When it comes to age restrictions and laser eye surgery, the only rule is you must be over the age of 18 to receive the treatment. Many worry that they’re too old for the surgery, but there’s no age limit at all! Many patients undergo Lasik in their 50s and 60s and experience better vision and healthy eyes after.
It must be noted that there is a correlation between Lasik candidacy and age. Older patients are more at risk for certain conditions that can’t experience Lasik, these include cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Lasik isn’t a Permanent Solution
Many patients speculate that laser eye surgery isn’t a permanent solution, however, this is false. When a patient undergoes Lasik surgery the laser makes permanent changes to the cornea, resulting in better eyesight forever. Lasik surgery provides patients with permanent refractive correction.
As patients age their eyesight still changes, but it’s not nearly the same as it would be if they did not undergo the surgery! Also, as patients age they’re still at the risk of certain age-related vision changes so routine eye-check ups are still required.
There are Long-term Side Effects
Another myth surrounding Lasik is that the long-term side effects have not been evaluated yet. This isn’t true, as Lasik has been performed on healthy patients for over 25 years with a great success rate. All long-term studies that have been carried out have had positive results, proving that Lasik is a great solution to vision problems. Technology keeps improving and due to this Lasik has little to no complications.
Recovery Takes Weeks
The procedure itself is a quick 15 minute session patients will need to rest for at least 24 hours. However, in most cases many recipients are back at work in 48 hours, proving that you don’t need to schedule weeks off of work to get the procedure. For some patients it can take up to seven days, but compared to the myths this is still a minor period of time.
The Laser is Hot
This myth is linked to the fear many have about lasers and eyes. While the procedure sounds scary, the laser is not burning hot like one out of a movie. In reality, the lasers are cold and they don’t hurt at all.
You Can’t Have Cataract Surgery After Lasik
You may have heard that if you relieve laser eye surgery you won’t be able to have cataract surgery later in life. This is untrue! If patients need it, they are perfectly fit to go through cataract surgery even though they’ve previously had laser eye treatments.
You Risk Going Blind
This is another myth that scares candidates from getting laser eye surgery, but it’s not true! There have been no cases of blindness from Lasik surgery despite millions of treatments worldwide. Laser eye surgery only affects the surface of the eye to reshape the cornea and major complications from the treatment are rare.
Complications Can’t Be Corrected
Though complications from this procedure are rare, many worry that if they do occur you can’t correct them. This isn’t true, and in the uncommon situation a complication happens it will subside over time and be easily correctable. Experienced surgeons can provide further treatment for your desired outcome.
The Treatment is Only for Nearsighted Patients
The Lasik procedure was initially introduced as a treatment for nearsightedness, but this isn’t the only problem it treats now. Lasik now corrects many refractive errors alongside nearsightedness. These other conditions include farsightedness and astigmatisms. The traditional Lasik treatment can’t address age-related farsightedness, but there are other treatments available that can. Speak to your optometrist to find out more!
Lasik is Very Expensive
One myth that puts many candidates off of the Lasik treatment is that “it’s a very expensive treatment”. This stops many people from even researching Lasik, but the cost of the treatment has decreased significantly over time. Not only that, but many insurance plans offer coverage and financing plans to help make Lasik available for everyone.
The Procedure is Too New
Though laser eye surgery sounds futuristic, it’s not a new practice. If you’ve been worrying that it’s too new and doctors don’t know enough about it, don’t worry! Laser eye surgery has been practiced since the 1980s and the science of the procedure was studied for even longer. You’re in safe hands!
How Can Beautifi Help?
This incredible laser eye surgery can make your life easier with a quick and painless process. The healing time is short and you’ll be left with long-lasting beneficial effects. There are many myths surrounding Lasik, but hopefully, we’ve set the record straight and proven just how great the treatment is.
If you have any more questions, the Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!