LASIK – Common Myths And Misunderstandings
Every year, thousands of Canadians are putting away glasses and contacts for good with the help of Laser Eye Surgery. These procedures, performed by BCLasik, are the most commonly practiced methods of correcting refractive errors such as astigmatism (blurry vision at any distance), myopia (near-sightedness), or hyperopia (far-sightedness).
While LASIK surgery has become the most popular form of Laser Eye Surgery in Canada, there are many misconceptions that people should have cleared up prior to considering Lasik.
Despite LASIK being an incredibly safe and common procedure, it’s still normal to have questions or concerns. It’s part of our job to address these so that you can be confident in making the best decision for your vision. 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: Anyone who wants to have LASIK is a candidate.
Fact: While today’s technology has made LASIK more inclusive than ever before, not everyone is a LASIK candidate. To ensure safety and the very best post-LASIK outcomes, each patients’ eyes are thoroughly analyzed to determine if they are ideal candidates. The great news is that even if you aren’t a LASIK candidate, other solutions like PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), ICL (implantable collamer lens), or RLE (refractive lens exchange) will provide great results and may prove to be right for you!
Myth: LASIK is not affordable for most people.
Fact: The cost of LASIK has decreased significantly over the years as the technology has improved and the treatment has become more common. In addition to vision insurance coverage, there are a number of financing plans that can help make LASIK affordable for everyone. At BCLasik, we want to restore the gift of good vision to as many of our patients as possible and will do what we can to ensure obstacles like large payments are removed. We offer excellent financing options.
MYTH: You can go blind from LASIK surgery!
Fact: Refractive surgery is in fact one of the safest medical procedures performed, as it is a non-invasive process. The technology being used makes it possible to treat near and farsightedness, astigmatism, and other vision problems that glasses and contacts simply cannot solve. The side effects are temporary and minor. Serious complications happen very infrequently, and no one has gone blind from LASIK surgery.
Myth: The procedure is painful.
Fact: While you may experience some discomfort and 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. Before the procedure, you will have numbing drops administered to each eye to minimize any discomfort. We can also provide a mild relaxant, such as Ativan, to help calm your nerves. The procedure lasts between 10-15 minutes.
We hope that this information has cleared up some of the misconceptions you may have had about the LASIK procedure. Millions of people are now living life free from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses. You can too! If you are interested in LASIK and want to find out if you qualify, please book a no-cost, no-commitment consultation with one of our vision counselors using the red “Book Your Consultation” button at the top of this page.
