Top 5 Myths About LASIK Eye Surgery

There is a lot of misinformation out there these days, so if you are considering LASIK, make sure you get your facts right. LASIK may very well be your path to better vision, but is it right for everyone? You can't really know if this procedure is the most practical choice for you without getting accurate information about it. Get educated about this very common procedure. Busting some of the top Birmingham myths about LASIK eye surgery is a good place to start.

1. The Recovery Time After LASIK is Long

LASIK is a simple procedure for most people with minimal recovery time. Plan to get at least one day of rest after the surgery, but you should be back to your normal activities very quickly. The doctor will explain the timeline to you prior to the procedure.

2. LASIK Hurts

The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes per eye. During that time, the numbing anesthesia drops keep you from feeling anything but movement and, maybe, a little pressure. The actually reshaping process is pain-free, though.

3. LASIK Only Works if You are Nearsighted

LASIK works to correct a number of vision problems, not just myopia or nearsightedness. Reshaping through LASIK is an effective fix for:

• Nearsightedness

• Farsightedness

• Astigmatism

The only time LASIK might not be a working solution is if you have severe refractive errors. That would require a different surgical fix.

4. Anyone can Have LASIK

LASIK works for many people, but not everyone is a candidate. The doctor will discuss your medical history with you and do an eye exam to determine if LASIK will work. Generally speaking, LASIK is not right for:

• Anyone under the age of 18

• Patients with other eye issues such as lazy eye

• People with thin or irregular corneas

It is also not a good choice for people with certain medical problems that affect healing like diabetes. Ultimately, it's up to the doctor to decide if you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery or not.

5. LASIK Means You Never Have to Wear Glasses Again

The goal of LASIK surgery is to fix the current problem with your eyes. That doesn't mean your eyes won't change somewhere down the road, especially if you are under the age of 40. As a person gets older, it's natural to need reading glasses after a certain age. That is true whether you get LASIK or not.

It's important that you go into LASIK eye surgery with realistic expectations. This surgery improves the quality of life for thousands of people every year, but, still, there are myths out there about how it works. Most of them are not true. Your best bet is to make a list of questions you have and then make an appointment with your Birmingham LASIK surgeon to get the answers. This way you can make an educated decision about your eye health based on real medical facts.