In the age of the Internet, anyone can use a search engine to get information on just about everything. The downside to that is that they can also find a lot of misinformation. If you’ve been doing some research into LASIK surgery, you may have stumbled upon some not-so-authentic information about the side effects and risks of LASIK surgery. Maybe you even heard some common LASIK myths from a family member or friend. Here at Stahl, we strive to spread the truth about LASIK surgery. So, here are 4 common LASIK myths and why they aren’t true.
MYTH: It doesn’t matter who performs the procedure; the lasers do all the work.
FACT: Of course it matters who performs your LASIK surgery! The technology used during LASIK surgery is only as good as the person operating it. You want to make sure your LASIK surgeon is qualified and skilled. Our doctors here at Stahl have years of experience, an extremely high success rate, and a track record of being on the cutting edge of technology.
MYTH: The laser can burn your eyes.
FACT: Untrue! The lasers used during LASIK surgery do not emit any heat, and therefore cannot burn your eyes. You may have heard that you can smell your eyes “burning” during LASIK. However, this smell is just a result of the excimer laser’s concentrated light frequency disrupting molecular bonds in the corneal cells in your eyes. No burning involved, we promise!
MYTH: LASIK doesn’t work for people with astigmatism.
FACT: People with astigmatism have an irregularly shaped cornea. Often, people with astigmatism have football-shaped corneas opposed to the normal baseball shape. This can make it hard to focus light and result in blurry vision. Astigmatism is more difficult to correct, but it is entirely possible! With today’s advanced custom LASIK technology, astigmatism patients are able to get the same amazing results as people with other refractive errors!
MYTH: LASIK surgery results don’t last.
FACT: LASIK surgery results are permanent! Because the excimer laser actually removes bits of your cornea, your cornea is reshaped permanently. However, other conditions can cause your once clear post-LASIK vision to regress a bit. This is not a result of your LASIK procedure, but the inevitable passage of time.
Common conditions that cause vision regression include presbyopia. Around age 40, presbyopia may cause you to lose your near vision. Close objects up close may appear blurry. Presbyopia happens to just about everybody, regardless of whether or not they’ve had LASIK. Presbyopia is caused by the natural lens inside of the eye becoming less flexible. This is not a condition that can be corrected by LASIK (in most cases.) However, there are treatments for presbyopia.
Interested in LASIK surgery? Here at Stahl, we aim to make LASIK as accessible to our NYC patients as possible. If you’re looking for the perfect LASIK surgeon in the Manhattan or Garden City areas, Stahl is the place for you. Contact us by calling or scheduling an appointment online!
