If you have been considering LASIK, but you’re confused
about some of the claims being made, you might be falling victim to some common
LASIK myths. In this blog, we will provide the reality behind five common LASIK
myths.
#1 – Anyone can have
LASIK.
This simply isn’t true. Certain vision conditions and even
your overall health may cause you to be a poor candidate for LASIK. You must
have a full LASIK examination by a trained ophthalmologist to determine:
- The thickness of your cornea (if it is too thin,
LASIK is not recommended)
- Prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome
- Prevalence of eye disease, cataracts, macular
degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
- Your current medical health
If a surgeon tells you that anyone can have LASIK, go
somewhere else!
#2 – You’ll never
need glasses again after LASIK.
Regardless of whether or not you have LASIK, a condition
called presbyopia can “sneak up” on you when you reach your mid-40s. Caused by
the stiffening of the eye lens, the eyes begin to have problems focusing on
near objects. This is an age-related problem that happens to virtually
everyone, and you may need reading glasses later in life to read up-close or in
dimly-lit situations.
#3 – If you have
astigmatism, you can’t have LASIK.
When you have a cornea that is shaped more like a football
than a basketball, advanced LASIK technologies can be used to change the shape
of the cornea to create the optimal shape and improve vision. Of course, every
patient is unique. You can find out if your particular degree of astigmatism
can be corrected by having a full eye exam.
#4 – LASIK is
expensive. It’s cheaper to wear glasses.
When you look at the total cost of LASIK, it may seem like
an unobtainable luxury. However, studies have shown that in the long run people
may spend less on LASIK than on the continued maintenance of eyeglasses and
contact lenses…and these are expenses that never end. When you weigh that
number against the one-time cost of LASIK, and the fact that excellent LASIK
financing options exist, the procedure looks much more affordable.
#5 – If I can’t have
LASIK, I can’t get my vision corrected.
There are actually alternatives to LASIK for people who aren't candidates for LASIK. PRK or ASA procedures do not require that a
corneal flap be created, so those with thin corneas are sometimes candidates
for this option. Alternatively, Refractive Lens Exchange is a procedure in
which the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial Intraocular
Lens (IOL) to correct vision. There are other options as well, and your doctor
should discuss those with you.
