Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center

Laser eye surgery, LASIK, is a simple and effective eye treatment surgery that has gained popularity over the years. In the relatively short period LASIK has been around, it has changed the lives of people with refractive errors. These include those suffering from farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and blurred vision both near and far (astigmatism).

But along with its increasing fame, LASIK has been associated with various myths. Numerous people still harbor concerns and questions about the procedure. Separating fact from fiction can help you determine whether LASIK is the appropriate treatment for you.

Here are five common LASIK myths debunked!

LASIK Is Painful

While your eye may feel some pressure during the procedure, LASIK is a painless surgery.

Anesthetic eye drops will be used to numb the eyes and there will be no pain sensation during the procedure. A suction device will be used during the surgery to prevent your eye from moving. That is good because it means your eyes will remain still and not interfere with the treatment. But this needs suction, placing a little pressure on your eyes. The slight discomfort only lasts a few seconds, the time it takes to nurse your eyes with the laser.

LASIK Can Scorch Your Eyes

Wrong. Many people think LASIK burns your eyes because of the slight smell that happens as the laser treats your eye. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The lasers used during LASIK eye surgery are cold and do not give off heat. As such, LASIK cannot scorch the eyes.

LASIK Can Make You Blind

Not true. There are no known cases of LASIK treatment making anyone go blind. Besides, some studies have found that patients are much more likely to become blind from contact-lens infections than from LASIK.

While the procedure may cause complications in some cases, they are rare. Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, eye surgeons examine whether a candidate is eligible for the procedure. Additionally, they tell their patients all the potential side effects of the surgery.

Results From LASIK Last a Short Time

False. LASIK treatment permanently restructures the cornea, and the outcome does not wear off over time.

In some cases, other eye problems such as macular degeneration, cataracts, or age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) may cause post-LASIK eyesight to relapse a little. However, your eye surgeon will keep checking your eyes regularly, willing to do an enhancement procedure at no cost to rectify any regression.

Most People Are Not Eligible for LASIK

Numerous people mistakenly assume that they are not eligible for LASIK because of their health or age. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves LASIK for anyone who is 18 years and above.

But as adult vision is usually at its strongest from the age of 19 to 40, ophthalmologists consider anybody within this bracket a good candidate for LASIK. If you are not within this age bracket or are unqualified for LASIK for other reasons, your eye doctor can recommend other vision correction treatments that will suit your needs.

For more on common LASIK myths debunked, contact Manhattan LASIK Center in Paramus, New Jersey at (201) 843-3861 to schedule an appointment today.