Fiction:

LASIK is not a real surgery.

Fact:

LASIK is surgery and should be treated as such. With proper care, it is not a dangerous or risky procedure. There are risks associated with LASIK, as there are with any surgical procedure. However, several clinical studies have identified the chance of serious vision-reducing complications as being extremely low.

Fiction:

CustomLASIK is not for all patients.

Fact:

CustomLASIK is necessary for some patients and desirable for many. CustomLASIK has provided many patients with clear, sharp vision.

Fiction:

Complications and side effects, such as night glare and dry eyes, should be expected after having laser vision correction.

Fact:

As with any other surgery, there are risks associated with laser vision correction. Clinical studies of laser vision correction have documented the risk of having a serious vision-reducing complication as being extremely low. Many complications can be treated if diagnosed and treated at the early stages. Moderate glare and dry eyes are common side effects immediately following the procedure, but typically last just three to six months. Proper testing before the procedure can identify patients who are at a high risk for complications. CustomLASIK has been effective in reducing side effects such as night glare and halos.

Fiction:

Laser vision correction is so new that no one really knows if there are any long-term side effects.

Fact:

Although laser vision correction became widely available in the United States in the mid-1990s, the technology was first developed in the early 1980s. The excimer laser was first used to correct refractive error on a normal sighted eye in 1988, during FDA clinical trials. To date, no long-term ill effects of the procedure are known.

Fiction:

There is only one type of laser used to treat all patients.

Fact:

Actually, there are a variety of lasers that can be used to treat a patient’s eyes. After a proper screening and confirmation of the condition that needs to be corrected, a surgeon can identify the most appropriate laser needed to treat your condition.

Fiction:

It does not matter which doctor performs your procedure, the outcomes are all the same because the laser does all the work.

Fact:

The surgeon’s skill and the level of care he/she offers is an essential element in the success of any surgical procedure. The laser is one of the tools that the surgeon uses to perform the procedure. The surgeon must also create and manipulate the corneal flap, a delicate surgical procedure. Two important contributors to the success of the surgery are the pre- and post-operative care. At Atlanta Lasik Center, your surgeon, is familiar with your eyes and will be directly involved in the pre- and post-operative care.

Fiction:

LASIK can forever end a patient’s need for glasses.

Fact:

While LASIK has proven to be overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, the degree of improvement may vary depending on the individual. Each patient’s need for glasses depends on how well he/she heals and the severity of the patient’s original prescription. Most patients with mild to moderate prescriptions can achieve 20/20 vision or within 1 to 2 lines of 20/20 on the eye chart. Such success can end a patient’s dependence on vision aids for driving, sports and watching television or movies. During the pre-surgical screening, your doctor should be able to determine the range of your probable outcomes. Keep in mind, as a patient ages the need for reading glasses is quite common.

Fiction:

Anyone who wants to have LASIK is a candidate.

Fact:

Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for LASIK. In fact, potential patients evaluated by many reputable providers are routinely rejected as candidates for the surgery. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to undergo a thorough screening by your eye doctor. LASIK can treat patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Appropriate candidates must be at least 18 years old, in good health and have healthy eyes free of diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. Appropriate screening is the first, and one of the most important steps in preventing complications. Often complications result when surgeons operate on patients who are not appropriate candidates.

Fiction:

Because the outcomes are all the same, the cheapest surgery is no different than the most expensive one.

Fact:

The old adage, "You get what you pay for," also applies to laser vision correction. Patients should remember that they only have one set of eyes and it’s probably not a good place to compromise. Patients should be cautious of discount centers that may not be as focused on patient screening and care. Consumers should make sure they are comparing equivalent care and experience when doing their research. Often the more expensive procedures include added benefits that discounters do not offer. These added benefits can include lifetime commitments and follow-up care with your personal eye doctor.

Fiction:

LASIK is still being developed, and new technologies are being introduced every year. Patients might be best served waiting until doctors find the best one.

Fact:

The current LASIK technologies provide better outcomes than ever before. Many LASIK surgeons themselves have had laser vision correction performed on their own eyes. New technologies introduced in the future may make LASIK available to a wider group of potential patients whose vision cannot currently be corrected.