Myths vs. Facts: Debunking Misconceptions About LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery is one of the safest elective medical procedures available, and it’s also one of the most life changing. It reshapes the cornea in order to correct common vision problems, like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances).

After undergoing LASIK, you’ll no longer have to deal with the inconveniences of blurry vision and the hassle of regularly wearing glasses and contact. Imagine the freedom this could offer you in your daily life!

Despite LASIK being an incredibly safe and common procedure, it’s normal to still have questions or concerns, and part of our job is addressing those. Below, we separate fact from fiction and address common misconceptions about LASIK to help you decide if this procedure or another form of vision correction is right for you.

Myth: The procedure is painful.

Fact: While you may experience some discomfort (such as a slight pressure around the eye), LASIK eye surgery is a relatively painless procedure. In fact, many of our patients are surprised by how little discomfort they experience during the surgery, if at all.

Before the procedure, numbing drops will be administered to your eyes to limit potential discomfort. We may also offer you a mild sedative, such as Ativan, to help calm your nerves. The procedure itself is also very quick. It usually lasts for under 10 minutes, during which the laser is used for less than a minute on each eye.

Myth: Most people aren’t candidates.

Fact: Many people incorrectly assume they’re not going to be eligible for LASIK eye surgery due to their age or health. However, 90% of people between the ages of 18 to 65 are excellent candidates for LASIK.

Even if you fall out of this age range or are ineligible for LASIK due to another reason, we may be able to recommend another vision correction procedure to you based on your needs.

The only way to confirm your candidacy is by coming in for a free, no-obligation consultation where we perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine if LASIK or another procedure is right for you. Book one today to learn more about your options.

Myth: The long-term effects are unknown.

Fact: This is untrue. The technology behind LASIK has been in development for decades, and it’s become one of the most popular elective medical procedures since the ‘90s due to its low risk and desirable results.

Research has consistently shown that the risks of LASIK are low. For example, the likelihood of contracting a bacterial infection from contact lenses is 1 in 100. But the risk of inflammation after LASIK is 1 in every 1,500 cases, meaning contact wearers are 500 times more likely to develop an infection than those who’ve had LASIK.

At LASIK MD, we’ve been performing laser vision correction procedures for over twenty years. We’re committed to using the latest in technology to ensure we’re delivering the best post-operative results. Our track record of safety speaks for itself.

Myth: You can go blind from LASIK.

Fact: At LASIK MD, we’ve never had a patient go blind following a vision correction procedure. While the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) estimates that the average infection rate following LASIK is in the range of 0.09%,¹ the laser vision correction infection rate at LASIK MD over the last decade has been 0.01%,² which is even lower than the ASCRS report.

Myth: LASIK is not affordable.

Fact: Vision correction procedures like LASIK may seem like a big investment. But they can actually save you money in the long run.

By eliminating or reducing dependency on glasses and contacts, you’ll spend less on frames, prescription sunglasses, contact refills, and contact lens solutions. Try out our savings calculator to see how much money you could save across your lifetime after LASIK.

At LASIK MD, we believe clear vision shouldn’t be a luxury. That’s why we do our best to make our procedures as affordable as possible to our patients. We offer a variety of financing plans to allow you to get your procedure today and pay for it over time. You may also be eligible for a corporate or government discount. We’ll review all of your payment options when you come in for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Myth: The recovery is slow and painful.

Fact: On the contrary, one of the benefits of LASIK eye surgery is its quick recovery time. Most patients are back to their normal routines within 24-hours of the procedure, which means you may not even have to take time off from work.

Additionally, many of our patients experience little to no pain after their procedure. You may feel some discomfort, such as dry eye or eye strain, but this typically resolves itself within several days of the procedure, if not earlier. We also provide you with special eye drops following the procedure to combat symptoms like dry eye.

Myth: The results aren’t long-lasting.

Fact: Wrong – LASIK surgery permanently reshapes the cornea. During the procedure, the cornea is reshaped in order to correct the existing vision problem(s), and this doesn’t wear off with time. As such, many of our patients enjoy freedom from glasses and contacts for decades post-procedure.

However, it’s still possible for your vision to change over time. This is because even though can LASIK permanently correct your current vision problem(s), it unfortunately can’t prevent the development of age-related eye conditions, such as presbyopia or cataracts.

But there’s good news. At LASIK MD, we offer enhancement plans in the event that a former LASIK patient requires a touch-up. In some cases, the price of an enhancement is included in the cost of your original procedure. Please note that the need for an enhancement is uncommon. In fact, one study from 2017 found that only 10% of LASIK patients require a touch-up, and its usually years later, if ever.

We also offer other procedures aside from LASIK designed to treat age-related vision problems, which can help you see clearly and may be recommended to you based on your needs and desired outcome.

If you're interested in learning more about how LASIK eye surgery or another vision procedure can transform your life, book a free, no-obligation consultation today.

¹Solomon R, Donnenfeld ED, Holland EJ, Yoo SH, Daya S, Güell JL, Mah FS, Scoper SV, Kim T. Microbial keratitis trends following refractive surgery: Results of the ASCRS Infectious keratitis survey and comparisons with prior ASCRS surveys of infectious keratitis following keratorefractive procedures. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2011;37(7):1343-50.
²LASIK MD, "10 Years Internal Data," 2012-2022.