Debunking Myths with Facts about LASIK Eye Surgery

As of today, LASIK Eye surgery remains one of the safest medical procedures anyone can undertake for their body. It can also change one’s life for the better because it brings a permanent solution. The procedure involves reshaping the eye’s cornea to influence the refraction of the light that falls on it. LASIK eye surgery deals with eye problems such as hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism.

By the way, hyperopia is the condition known as farsightedness, where the patient can only see distant objects. In myopia, also known as myopia, the patients can only see near objects. As for astigmatism, the patient experiences a blurry vision of things at all distances. But when you undergo the eye surgery lasik, you can be free from any inconvenience due to blurry vision with the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses. That is true freedom.

Related: 4 Vital Solutions to Anxiety before your LASIK Eye Surgery

The fact that we talk about LASIK this way does not remove the questions people may have. So, it is customary to have still questions or concerns about the process, preparation, and results. That is why we are here to remove any doubts or demystify some of the false beliefs you may true. We will not just confront and disprove them using scientific and experiential facts.

5 Myths about the LASIK Procedure

Myth 1: LASIK Eye Surgery is very painful

It is funny how people have come to believe this myth over time. But the sincere person who has undergone the process can only talk about a few discomforts here and there, which are simply average. When the body requires a medical procedure, we must respect that it is not a natural process and may bring some little discomfort. Again, before any design can be approved, it must effectively reduce any pain patients may experience. It is also true of LASIK. 

Therefore, the straight answer is that when undergoing LASIK eye surgery, the worst you may experience is slight discomfort due to the subtle pressure applied to the eyes during the surgery. But the procedure is entirely painless, and many patients have reported minimal discomfort during the surgery. 

At the same time, the process requires that some drops o numbing drug be applied to your eyes to limit any discomfort. In addition to the numbing drops, you may also be given some mild sedatives to avoid disturbance during the procedure. Ativan is used to calm your nerves. LASIK eye surgery is a rapid procedure that can be completed in under 10 minutes. The actual laser process only lasts for about a minute for each eye.

Myth 2: Not suitable for most people

Another myth people have about LASIK eye surgery is that they assume it is not suitable for everyone. This statement believes that the person in question may not be eligible for LASIK eye surgery. Some of the common factors include age or state of health. But any patient between 18 and 65 is generally suitable as a candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Even if you fall outside this range, you may consider alternative procedures to LASIK. In addition, it is possible to be ineligible for LASIK eye surgery due to other factors. 

Myth 3: Unknown long-term effects

This myth is entirely false because the technology behind LASIK eye surgery has existed for several decades. As a result, it goes through many changes until the one we have now, which is the best. Also, it has been one of the most popular medical procedures since its first application in the 1990s. It also comes with very low proven risks to give the best results. 

Many research studies have shown that LASIK has a shallow risk. For instance, a report indicates that there is less than a 0.01 chance that you will contract the bacterial infection by using contact lenses. Meanwhile, the risk of inflammation after undergoing LASIK eye surgery is 1 in every 1500 cases. Comparing the two statistics, we can conclude that patients who use contact lenses are 500 times more likely to breed an infection than those who take on LASIK eye surgery.

Myth 4: LASIK eye surgery can cause blindness

There is nearly zero chance that a patient who undergoes LASIK eye surgery with us will go blind. We have never had such a report in our years of operation. In addition, the rate at which anyone who undergoes LASIK with use will get an infection is far lesser than the expected rate. This result also shows that we are professionals at what we do. Moreover, we thoroughly examine the patient’s condition before starting the procedure to remove any associated risk. 

Myth 5: LASIK is expensive 

When you think of LASIK eye surgery in terms of the value you get in the long run, you will agree it is a worthy investment. The vision correction through the use of laser technology ensures a permanent solution to whatever your eye defect is. At the same time, when you estimate the cost of alternatives, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, you will see that LASIK eye surgery saves you much money.

Furthermore, it can also eliminate or reduce a patient’s dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. After a successful LASIK eye surgery, you will spend less on sunglasses, contact refills, and lenses. Before you even start the LASIK procedure, you can estimate the cost discrepancy on the possible amount of money you can save. A good vision isn’t a luxury but a basic necessity of life, and we do our best to make it happen. 

Conclusion

Other myths about the LASIK eye procedure are untrue, such as believing the recovery process is slow or painful. Another one is that the results of LASIK do not last. These myths are not true, and the experiences of past patients with LASIK eye surgery already debunk these myths. Today, LASIK eye surgery is the surest and most effective procedure in correcting different eye defects for the rest of one’s life.  

Handy LASIK tips you’ll need

It has always been necessary to rely on alternative corrective procedures, such as wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, in the past and in the present. These treatments are successful, but they are also expensive and time-consuming, and they are also fragile in the long term, necessitating the user to make a number of sacrifices.

Opthalmology (laser eye surgery), also known as LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis), is a very successful and popular operation that is used to repair vision abnormalities such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Eye surgery lasik is a type of laser surgery that uses a laser to address vision disorders (cylinder power). It is changing the way we perceive the world since it allows us to see without the use of spectacles. Click here to get more about laisk.

Despite the fact that lasers have some constraints, such as the need that the user be older than 18 years, to attain outstanding outcomes, you must be in excellent medical condition. Your refractive error, as well as other variables, will influence your outcomes. With refractive LASIK, those who have mild nearsightedness with or without astigmatism (cylinder power) are more likely to have a positive outcome than others.

What is the surgery’s procedure?

There are two types of LASIK that are commercially accessible. PRK and LASIK are two different procedures; PRK is an earlier variant, whilst LASIK was created later. The shape of the Cornea is primarily responsible for all flaws in the refractive power of the eye. A cold beam of ultraviolet light with a certain wavelength (usually 193 nanometers) is produced by the excimer laser during LASIK, allowing the corneal tissue to be precisely remodulated.

In order for light rays to concentrate properly on to the retina for clear vision, the surface of the cornea must be altered in order for this to happen effectively. By flattening the cornea, lasers can cure nearsightedness, whereas lasers can repair farsightedness by making the cornea steeper. In addition, because LASIK is so precise, it guarantees that the adjustments are completed accurately and in a sterile environment, therefore reducing the danger of infection.

Lasers are equipped with eye trackers, which aid in the appropriate concentrating of laser light on the center of the cornea and the visual axis, resulting in a superior outcome. Despite the fact that the laser accomplishes most of the work in less than a minute, the laser surgery technique itself takes less than 10 minutes each eye. It usually takes a week to a few weeks for total vision stabilization to occur, however your vision should be substantially normal within a day or two of treatment.

Is having LASIK a painful procedure?

When it comes to any type of surgery, individuals are extremely concerned about the pain they may experience. When it comes to our eyes, our dread multiplies by a factor of ten. The good news is that LASIK is completely painless. Anesthesia eye drops will be inserted into both of your eyes by your surgeon just before to the start of your LASIK. Despite the fact that you may still feel a little pressure throughout the treatment, you will not experience any discomfort.

The fact is that some little pain, like as soreness and a scratchy feeling, is to be expected following your LASIK or PRK LASIK procedure. After that, the cornea will be allowed time to recover on its own. It is possible that you could have some discomfort throughout the healing process, but this will pass fast.

Following the treatment, your eyes may feel itchy, have a burning feeling, or you may have the sense that something is stuck in your eye. A protective barrier is provided to prevent you from mistakenly scratching your eyes or rubbing them unintentionally.

If you are feeling significant discomfort, you should get medical attention as soon as possible.

Complications that might arise and cause discomfort

LASIK, like any surgical procedure, has the possibility of complications. Pain can be significant in some cases, such as when an infection occurs or when a corneal flap becomes dislodged.

If you are feeling significant discomfort, you should get medical attention as soon as possible.

Avoid rubbing your eyes for approximately 1 week following your LASIK and follow the rest of your doctor’s post-operative recommendations to avoid issues.

Is it possible to be put entirely under anesthesia for LASIK?

The vast majority of patients who have LASIK remain conscious during the treatment. The entire procedure is generally completed in less than 30 minutes.

The actual laser operation takes less than a minute per eye and is generally completed in one sitting. According to a scientific review published in 2016, the improved SMILE treatment only takes roughly 25 seconds each eye to complete. Source that can be trusted.

Surgeons prefer anesthetic eye drops to general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, because they are less painful.

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, general anesthesia is associated with hazards and would raise the cost of the procedure by a significant amount.

It is possible that general anesthesia will produce certain potentially life-threatening adverse effects, but this is rare. One such side effect is malignant hyperthermia, which is characterized by a temperature and muscular spasms.

It’s possible that you’ll be prescribed a sedative, such as valium, to help you relax if you’re feeling apprehensive before your operation.

Post-surgery eye care guidelines are recommended.

After your LASIK, it is critical that you adhere to your doctor’s instructions. Following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions provides you the best chance of preventing problems.

Once you’re done with your operation, there are several things you should and shouldn’t do.

Dos

In accordance with the FDA-trusted Source, you should make an appointment with your doctor 24 to 48 hours following your treatment and at regular intervals for the first six months.

• Consult your doctor promptly if you are experiencing extreme discomfort or if your vision is deteriorating rather than improving.

• When sleeping the first several nights, make sure to use your protective eye protection.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions for using your eye drops.
• Get as much sleep as you possibly can.
• Protect your eyes by using safety goggles in dusty conditions.
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses.

Don’ts 

• Do not rub your eyes after undergoing the treatment.
• Don’t drive at night for at least a month following your procedure.
• Participate in contact sports until your doctor gives you the green light. Sporting activities that are physically demanding, such as boxing or football, should be avoided for at least a month.

• After surgery, you should refrain from using lotions, creams, or cosmetics for at least 2 weeks or until you have received approval from your doctor.
• For one to two months, go swimming or soak in a hot tub or whirlpool.
• Spend extended periods of time in dusty or smoking areas.