In the US, LASIK is the most frequently performed surgery for nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism, and farsightedness (hyperopia). And yet, most individuals still contain reservations about how effective and safe the surgery is.
Any procedure may be an intimidating and terrifying test. But LASIK has proven to be among the safest and most effective forms of sight correction. While you and your ophthalmologist need to determine if LASIK is right for you or not, here are eight popular LASIK myths.
1. Doctors Would Not Have LASIK in Their Eyes
You might have heard the rumor that ophthalmologists would not ever have LASIK in their eyes. This is not true at all. Opthamologist in Austin are more probable to have LASIK compared to the overall population.
2. LASIK is not Accessible to Most People
Most people believe that LASIK is very expensive, but that’s not true. LASIK costs have dropped significantly in the years due to advancements in technology and the popularity of the procedure. Besides the eyesight insurance coverage, there exist several financing plans which can help individuals to access LASIK.
3. Contact Lenses are Reliable than LASIK
While contact lenses are regularly believed to be harmless than LASIK because they do not require an operation, substantial vision loss is approximately five times higher with long-term contact lens wear than LASIK.
This is because many contact lens users do not put on their lenses safely, putting them at danger of infection and sometimes complete loss of vision.
4. It Takes an Extended Time to recover
You might have heard that after LASIK surgery, it takes a long time to heal, but that’s not true. You are supposed to notice a better-quality vision immediately after completing the 15-minute procedure, with a full recovery from LASIK within 24 hours. The patients should not presume significant downtime.
5. Dry Eyes Are Common after LASIK
Although some patients have temporary dry eye symptoms after LASIK operation, these signs usually disappear within six months. In two FDA studies, only 3% of the patients had average dry eyes at three months, and 23% had a slight dry eye. These signs often disappeared within six months of the procedure.
6. LASIK is a Hurting Eye Operation
Have you heard people say LASIK is painful? This is not true. The truth is that LASIK is fast and essentially painless treatment. Anesthetic drops are put before treatment to minimize discomfort. The individual may experience a short-lived moment of pressure the minute the corneal flap is made, but that is it. The majority of the patients are amazed at how quick and gradual the surgery is.
If you are a little anxious about the operation, you may always request a slight sedative before cure.
7. LASIK Significantly Upsurges the Risk of Halo/Glare
Although, in rare cases, a patient may experience a temporary night glow or “halos” near the light, these signs almost always disappear within three to six months.
Research of pilots who landed on an aircraft carrier at night found that 88% of flyers said their night-time vision was enhanced after LASIK than before the surgery.
8. LASIK is only for Myopic Patient
When LASIK was introduced, it served as a cure for myopia, but today a lot has changed. In addition to myopia, LASIK can correct multiple refractive oversights, including hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Outdated LASIK cannot tackle the cause of age-related farsightedness (presbyopia); however, there are other treatments like mixed vision, multifocal, and monovision LASIK that can