Special Offer: Save 20% On LASIK, Find More
*Must mention this promotion and be treated in December of 2023 to qualify. 20% off standard price of Wavelight procedure. Cannot be combined with any other offers.
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:
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.
Kansas, Kansas
Kansas, Kansas
Arizona, Arizona
Washington, Washington
Garden City, New York
Madison, Wisconsin
Boca Raton, Florida
New York, New York
White Plains, New York
Tucson, Arizona
Charlottesville, Virginia
Amherst, New York
Billings, Montana
Southfield, Michigan
Virginia Beach, Virginia
El Paso, Texas
Syracuse, New York
West Palm Beach, Florida
Greenville, South Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Greensboro, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Birmingham, Alabama
Las Vegas, Nevada
Memphis, Tennessee
Metairie, Louisiana
Little Rock, Arkansas
West Fargo, North Dakota
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
Atlanta, Georgia
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lakewood, Colorado
Houston, Texas
Boise, Idaho
Austin, Texas
Spokane, Washington
Renton, Washington
Brooklyn, New York
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jacksonville, Florida
Leawood, Kansas
Lexington, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Oakdale, Minnesota
Edison, New Jersey
Paramus, New Jersey
Omaha, Nebraska
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
Scottsdale, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tigard, Oregon
Glen Allen, Virginia
Murray, Utah
San Antonio, Texas
Creve Coeur, Missouri
Tampa, Florida
Alexandria, Virginia
Rockville, Maryland
McLean, Virginia
Albany, New York
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Duluth, Georgia
Towson, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland
Oak Brook, Illinois
Schaumburg, Illinois
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas, Texas
Dayton, Ohio
West Des Moines, Iowa
Miramar, Florida
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Enter your zip code, city, or a doctor name below to find a vision center.
Your vision issues can most likely be corrected with a LASIK procedure. Schedule a free consultation today.
Answer 5 simple questions to see if you are a candidate
Learn about your surgeon, the latest advanced technology, procedures, options and benefits, financing options, and what to expect from your LASIKPlus experience.
LasikPlus Information Kit
DownloadAn error occurred. Please check your input and try again.