BUSTED: 8 Myths About Laser Eye Surgery
If you’re tired of wearing glasses or just looking to treat yourself (see what we did there), you might have researched laser eye surgery. The internet being the giant black hole of information dumping that it is can often make surgery in general seem extremely scary, particularly if you’re not getting the right data.
With state-of-the-art eye laser equipment, Saint James Eye Clinic is here to dispel some common myths about this life-changing surgery.
1. MYTH: the surgery is very painful
Prior to the procedure, local anaesthetic is applied to the surface of the eye in the form of drops – no needles are used to administer anesthesia. This renders the surgery completely painless and easy for the patient.
While older procedures were often painful with lengthy recovery periods, the latest advancements in laser technology make the surgery pain-free both during and after the operation with a very quick visual recovery.
2. MYTH: you can only correct short-sightedness
Laser eye surgery has come a long way, especially in recent years – while it is true that the procedure originally only corrected near-sighted vision, new developments now allow for the treatment of far-sightedness. So, say goodbye to your reading glasses or ever having to reach for spectacles ever again!
3. MYTH: you cannot treat astigmatism with laser eye surgery
Astigmatism (i.e. a misshapen cornea or lens) has often been quoted as untreatable with laser technology. This may be the biggest misconception when it comes to the procedure, as new developments in laser eye surgery now also allow for the correction of astigmatism!
4. MYTH: it’s very important to stay in the dark after the procedure
In the past, laser eye surgery was performed one eye at a a time, and patients were instructed to spend at least 5 days in the dark postoperatively. Nowadays, it is possible to treat both eyes in one sitting, spending a total of just 10 to 15 minutes in the operating theatre! Most patients are able to return back to work after two days with 20/20 vision.
5. MYTH: you cannot have the procedure above a certain age
While there are prerequisites to getting laser eye surgery, age is not a contributing factor in and of itself. Assuming the patient and the eye check off the required boxes, there is no reason to not get the procedure later on in life.
If for some reason laser eye surgery is not a viable option, there are other surgeries such as refractive lens exchange to eliminate glasses at any distance using a multifocal implant that will rid you off your glasses once and for all.
6. MYTH: laser eye surgery carries a high risk of going blind
There is no risk of blindness from this surgery, and as of writing, there have been no reported cases worldwide. Advanced diagnostic tests are also carried out preoperatively on each patient to predict whether there are any risks that might stop the patient from having eye laser; and even in that case, there are other solutions for treatment.
7. MYTH: you must stay completely still throughout the lengthy procedure
During the procedure, patients are instructed to focus on a green light poised above them to determine the centre of vision. The actual use of laser takes around 20 seconds and marks the most crucial part of the surgery. While it is important that the patients remain as still as possible, in-built eye trackers will compensate for minor movements, therefore no harm to the eye will be done.
8. MYTH: laser eye surgery bars you from getting cataract surgery
Cataracts can develop later in life and there is no reason for you not to get curative surgery after or before laser eye surgery. All other eye surgeries can be done after laser surgery.