LASIK is a simple corrective surgery that improves visual acuity and treats common eye problems like myopia, astigmatism, etc. The surgical procedure uses lasers to change the curvature of the cornea to correct poor vision. The procedure is safe and has enabled millions of people to lead a spectacle and contact lens free life. However, misconceptions about the effectiveness, the risks post-operation, and the postoperative experience of a LASIK surgery still exist.
The eye is a sensitive organ; hence people are bound to be curious and cautious before they undergo any operative procedure on the eye. However, some misconceptions need to be debunked for people to truly realize the potential of the LASIK procedure. If someone has doubts about the surgery or wants to get it done, they can go to sharpe-vision.com for experienced LASIK surgeon Austin.
Some Common Myths About The LASIK Procedure That Need To Be Debunked
Source: verywellhealth.com
1. The Results Are Not Permanent
Most people tend to believe that the vision correction achieved after a laser-based surgery is of temporary nature. People think they will eventually have to go back to glasses of lower power than the ones they had previously. However, it is a myth that the correction is of a temporary nature.
The eye correction is permanent. However, some people might need glasses when they are around forty or forty-five years of age. Glasses are needed in middle-aged individuals and older adults because of changes in their lenses. In older people, the lens is unable to focus properly, and hence the vision may be blurry. However, the LASIK procedure, which involves changing the curvature of the cornea(the outer layer of the eye) in itself, does not change with time.
2. There Is A Fixed Age Bracket For The Surgery
Many people believe that there is a fixed age bracket within which they can get laser-based vision corrective surgery done. However, there is no upper age limit for LASIK surgery. People who are in their forties or fifties can also get a LASIK procedure done. However, there are some limitations, like glaucoma, cataracts, or a damaged retina.
Old people tend to develop complications like high eye pressure (glaucoma) or cataracts, and it is advisable to avoid LASIK surgery in such cases as it can complicate the surgery.
Most doctors, however, ask people to wait till they are eighteen years of age or till their eye power has remained stable for more than one year. This is because the development process is not yet complete in people below eighteen years, and hence their eye power keeps fluctuating and this can affect the results of the surgery.
Source: advancedsightcenter.com
3. There Is A High Chance Of Going Blind
Many people think that a person can go permanently blind during or after a laser-based vision correction. However, the surgery is quite safe, and most people begin to see improvement in vision a few hours after the surgery.
In fact, only 0.3% of the people who have undergone LASIK surgery have suffered from retina detachment. Retina detachment is a serious complication and can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. However, the fact that only 0.3% of all patients had a detached retina implies that they might have had some other complications that led to the detachment.
4. The Procedure Is a New
It is a myth that laser-based vision correction is new. In fact, the procedure has been used since the early eighties; hence those who underwent surgery in the early eighties have survived more than forty years without any serious long-term implications. Thus, the procedure is quite old, and the latest advancements in technology are further improving the efficacy of the procedure.
5. The Process Is Painful
People tend to associate any surgery with pain and suffering. However, LASIK is not painful. People may feel some pressure on their eyes during the procedure, but otherwise, the entire process is painless. Most doctors also use some sort of numbing solution in the eye to lessen any discomfort. Again, there are eye drops for managing postoperative issues like dry eyes and inflammation.
6. Anyone And Everyone Can Get LASIK Done
Some people believe that anyone who wishes to remove their glasses can get a laser-based vision correction done. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for the procedure. Most doctors will test several parameters to decide if a particular patient fits the bill or not.
Doctors test for many things, like the thickness of the cornea, to decide the suitability of the candidate. The cornea is made up of several layers. During the surgery, the outer layer is removed as a flap to change the curvature of the interior layers. Thus, if the cornea is not thick enough, then the procedure cannot be performed.
Source: kraffeye.com
7. The Procedure Works Only For Nearsightedness
The surgery was introduced to correct nearsightedness, but today many other problems can be corrected with lasers. Today, LASIK can cure astigmatism (problems with the curvature of the eye) and farsightedness as well.
8. The Recovery Period Is Long
The operation has very less recovery time; most patients are allowed to go back to their homes a few hours after the operation. The eyes are usually covered with an eye shield for twelve to twenty-four hours after the procedure.
Patients can begin regular activities like going to the office and walking, about two days after the procedure. They can start applying lotions around the eye area about two to three weeks after the procedure. And they can take up playing sports or hit the gym about four weeks after the operation. However, it is a good idea to visit the doctor for regular checkups and follow the doctor’s advice before resuming any activity that can strain the eye.
Conclusion
The LASIK procedure has many misconceptions about its effectiveness, the postoperative effects, the severity of the side effects, etc. However, the surgery has stood the test of time. The patient satisfaction rate is very high. People might face a few symptoms like dry eyes, intolerance to bright light, slight pain, etc., but these symptoms resolve on their own as the tissue begins to heal.
