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What Happens After LASIK? The Reality Behind the Top Three Myths

September 5, 2014 – Sarah Morgan

Because LASIK is such a popular procedure, a lot of misconceptions spring up about what can be expected. Let’s talk about some of these myths and the reality behind them.

Like every other medical procedure, LASIK is carefully calibrated and conducted for every patient, and as a result, each patient will have her own unique experience of the procedure, recovery and life after the surgery.

Myth 1: I’ll still need glasses.

Some patients believe that they will still need glasses after LASIK because the procedure provides only moderate vision improvement. This is not the case for the majority of patients.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “you have a very good chance of achieving 20/25 vision or better after refractive surgery. More than eight out of 10 people who’ve undergone refractive surgery no longer need to use their glasses or contact lenses for the majority of their activities.”

Myth 2: LASIK’s side effects are severe and long lasting.

Although LASIK is a minimally invasive procedure done with a laser, it is still surgery, and the stories of patients throwing their glasses away and going back to work that afternoon distract from that fact. It’s a procedure that needs to be taken seriously, and recovery time is to be expected.

For the first day or two, the eye is healing, and it is normal to experience haziness, itchiness or other side effects. These are usually mild and temporary. In order to monitor side effects and make sure that the eyes are healing properly, you should see your doctor 24-48 hours following the procedure (and for intervals afterward over the first few months).

Myth 3: I’ll be sidelined from my favorite activities for a long time.

While it’s inaccurate to say that patients leap up from their LASIK procedure ready to take on the world, it’s also incorrect to think that a patient has to change her life significantly to accommodate having laser vision correction.

Your LASIK provider will provide you with details on activity restrictions based on your specific treatment and needs. However, the Food and Drug Administration offers the following recommendations:

  • Wait one to three days before resuming noncontact sports, depending on your doctor’s advice.
  • You may wait up to two weeks before using any products in the eye area like makeup or creams to ensure you avoid infection.
  • Contact sports in which you are likely to be hit in the face, such as boxing, should be avoided for at least a month.

Deciding to have LASIK is an important decision that should be taken seriously. You should do so with a full understanding of the risks and benefits. It is a frequently performed, extremely precise procedure that, when performed by a skilled professional, has generally positive outcomes.

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*Individual results may vary. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Photography contains paid actors, not actual patients. Testimonials are from actual patients. Most recommended claim is based on a 2013 LasikPlus study of 500 respondents who received LASIK from various providers. Respondents treated at LasikPlus recommended their provider to their friends and family at a higher rate than patients of any other provider included in the study.

♥$250 per eye price applies to patients with qualifying insurance coverage receiving treatment for up to -1.00 diopter with up to -1.00 diopter of astigmatism, performed with the traditional excimer laser (Advantage Plan not available). Prices range between $247 and $2,299 per eye based on prescription, laser, Advantage Plan selected as well as patient's insurance coverage. Previous Laser Vision Correction of any kind are ineligible for $250 price offer. Not valid at LasikPlus locations in Ft.Lauderdale, FL, Oklahoma City, OK. Best price when compared with other national LASIK provider pricing advertised online as of 10/31/2014.

♦♦Savings is $600 ($300 per eye), or 15% off your custom treatment price, whichever results in the greatest savings. An active insurance card must be shown at the time of pre-op appointment to qualify. Only applies to LASIK or PRK. LASIK exams are free of charge. No coupons required. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Other medical exams are billable, may be covered by insurance and require a co-pay and deductible charges if applicable. 

Managed Care members are those who are enrolled in a participating health or vision plan. 

^ Limited time offer. Only available to members of participating health and vision plans, or members of LasikPlus partner companies, who schedule via their plan/ membership are entitled to this limited time offer. Savings is $400 per eye on a Custom Wavelight Treatment with Lifetime Advantage Plan. Discount may not be combined with any other discount. 

**Medical exams will incur a charge that may be covered by insurance. 

ƒSavings is 20% off standard price or 5% off promotional price of LASIK or PRK. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Public Service Personnel includes firefighters, police, EMT, paramedics, doctors, nurses, military personnel, and teachers. The person must provide valid proof of employment or service at the time of appointment in order to receive discount. Valid at participating locations only. Additional restrictions may apply. Ask your vision center for details.

†Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Ask your provider for details.

**/‡Financing Options Guaranteed with Premier Pay in-house financing: Down payment amount varies from $0 to $1,000 per eye based on FICO score.  The interest rate is based on program length and varies from 0% to 19.99% APR.  A $25 set-up fee and $3 monthly processing fee may apply.  No minimum purchase amount is required.  Excludes Ft. Lauderdale, Northville/Shelby and Oklahoma City LasikPlus® locations.

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