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6 Myths About LASIK

6 Myths About LASIK

LASIK, which stands for “Laser In Situ Keratomileusis” (now you know why everyone calls it LASIK!), is a relatively simple procedure done to correct refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This laser eye surgery reshapes the surface of your eye (the cornea) in order to properly bend the light that enters your eye, which allows the image to be focused clearly on the back of your eye (the retina).

Over the past few decades, many myths about LASIK have emerged. But as this surgery becomes more and more popular, it’s time to debunk the myths for good. Our San Leandro, California, eye doctor raises and shoots down some of the most common myths below.

1. LASIK hurts

Before your eye doctor begins to perform laser eye surgery, numbing eye drops will be inserted into your eye. Once they take effect, you may feel sensations similar to a light pressure on the surface of your eye, but in general your eye will remain numb throughout the whole procedure. Start to finish, LASIK takes about 10-15 minutes per eye, but that numbness will remain for an additional 30-40 minutes after the surgery.

Afterwards, you may feel that your eyes are dry and a bit itchy, and you may find yourself tearing up slightly. But one to two hours of resting your eyes typically leads to the discomfort going away.

2. LASIK is a cause of blindness

Not only are LASIK success rates exceptionally high, but the risk of vision loss is also very low. Since the 1980s, millions of people have had this procedure – and there have never been any confirmed cases of blindness resulting from LASIK. In fact, the risk of developing a sight-threatening infection following LASIK is even lower than the risk of developing an eye infection after wearing contact lenses.

3. LASIK is very costly

Your vision is invaluable! Although the price of LASIK may initially sound expensive, compare it to years of buying monthly contact lenses and new prescription glasses. When you look at it from that angle, you’ll realize that the cost is well worth it! LASIK will give you your money’s worth.

4. Everyone can have LASIK

Typically, anyone who is 18 years old and above, with a refractive error in the eyes, and in good health can have LASIK. If you are interested, our San Leandro, California, will perform a thorough eye exam to screen you for this laser eye surgery.

If we diagnose you with irregular or thin corneas or an eye disease, you may not qualify.  Also, people in poor health, such as those with uncontrolled diabetes or an autoimmune disease, face higher chances of a poor outcome from LASIK.

5. After LASIK, you’ll never need to wear glasses or contacts again

Just like people who have enjoyed perfect vision their whole life, people who had LASIK are still susceptible to normal aging! And normally, vision changes as you get older. After age 40, most people need to wear reading glasses for seeing fine print, or they need to put on prescription glasses to drive at night. It’s essential to book regular eye exams with our San Leandro eye doctor in order to monitor your vision and eye health for any changes.

6. It doesn’t matter where you do your LASIK, the outcomes are always the same

When you choose where to have your LASIK performed, be sure to investigate the skill of the eye surgeon! Spend a bit of time researching the LASIK surgeons near you, checking into how long they’ve been doing this laser eye surgery, their success record, and their willingness to give you patient references.

As long as you choose an advanced eye surgery center with a competent refractive surgeon and a qualified ophthalmic staff, you can benefit from one of the safest surgeries done in the field of ophthalmology.

Don’t let misinformation and your unfounded fears about LASIK get in the way of having this life-changing surgery! For answers to your questions and more information about how you can enjoy sharper, convenient vision without prescription eyewear – book a consultation with our San Leandro, California, eye doctor at Turner Eye Institute.

At Turner Eye Institute, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 800-339-2733 or book an appointment online to see one of our San Leandro eye doctors.

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