Laser Eye Surgery Myths explained by specialists often hear patients’ fears about going blind from surgery. The thought of losing sight scares many people. Yet the actual risk of blindness from laser eye surgery remains incredibly small about 1 in 5 million. Long-term contact lens users face a risk 30 times higher to their vision.
Clinical evidence contradicts many popular beliefs about vision correction. The safety record of laser eye surgery stands out. Vision loss from complications happens rarely. Global clinical data shows contact lens users get serious eye infections more often than those who undergo laser procedures. The upfront cost might look high £2,200 to £3,500 per eye. Yet the math works differently when you add up years of expenses for glasses, contacts, and regular eye exams. Over 10–20 years, laser eye surgery becomes the smarter financial choice.
This piece tackles the most common laser eye surgery myths. You’ll learn about safety concerns and cost factors that help you choose the right vision care option.
Myths About Laser Eye Surgery Safety
People often hold back from laser vision correction because they believe myths about its safety. Let’s get into what expert surgeons in London say about these worries.
1. Laser eye surgery can make you go blind
The fear of blindness stands as the most important misconception. Here’s the truth: your chances of going blind from laser eye surgery are about 1 in 5 million. Lightning strikes are more likely to happen than this. More importantly, qualified professionals have never documented a single case of complete blindness directly linked to laser eye surgery.
Don’t let myths hold you back from clear vision. At Precision Vision London, our expert surgeons debunk misconceptions and guide you through safe, personalised laser eye surgery solutions.
2. The procedure is painful and risky
The truth defies popular belief – laser eye surgery causes virtually no pain. Patients receive anaesthetic eye drops that numb the eye’s surface completely. You might feel slight pressure for 30-40 seconds, as with wearing tight swimming goggles. Both eyes need just 10-15 minutes for the entire process.
3. Side effects are common and long-lasting
Serious complications from laser eye surgery remain nowhere near common less than 1% of patients experience major surgical complications. Temporary effects include:
- Dry eyes (usually resolves within six months)
- Light sensitivity and mild discomfort
- Glare or halos around lights
These effects cause minor inconvenience for a couple of weeks in most patients.
4. Laser eye surgery is less safe than contact lenses
Research reveals the opposite. Contact lens users face eye infections four times more often than laser eye surgery patients. A 30-year contact lens wearer has about a 1 in 100 (1.0%) risk of serious eye infection. The risk of losing significant vision from laser eye surgery stays at approximately 1 in 10,000. The largest longitudinal study consistently shows modern laser eye surgery’s exceptional safety profile among elective procedures. Technology advances make these minimal risks even lower.
Misconceptions About Cost and Accessibility
The financial side of laser eye surgery makes many potential patients think twice. Several myths about costs and availability stop people from learning about this life-changing option.
1. Laser eye surgery is only for the wealthy
London eye specialists often hear that laser procedures are just for rich people. The truth is laser eye surgery is available with many payment choices. Treatment costs start from £2,200 per eye. Many clinics give flexible financing plans. This makes professional vision correction fit many budgets.
At Precision Vision London, we believe quality vision care should be available to everyone through clear pricing and flexible payment options.
2. It’s not available on Harley Street or in London clinics
In stark comparison to this myth, London particularly Harley Street serves as a hub for advanced laser eye surgery. Several well-established vision clinics operate in these prestigious locations and offer expert optical care with complete eye tests. London has some of the UK’s leading vision correction specialists. Their clinics achieve remarkable results 99.2% of patients with common prescriptions get 20/20 vision or better after treatment.
3. It’s cheaper to keep using glasses or contacts
Glasses or contacts might seem cheaper at first, but the long-term costs paint a different picture:
- Contact lens users spend £288-£660 each year, adding up to £2,880-£6,600 over ten years
- With 5.2% inflation, this cost grows to £4,780-£10,030 over a decade
- Monthly contact wearers pay about £28 monthly plus £15 quarterly for cleaning solutions reaching £420 yearly
Standard laser eye surgery costs about £5,500 for both eyes. This equals just £550 yearly or £1.50 daily across ten years. Most contact lens users break even within 5-7 years. Laser correction ends up being the smarter long-term investment. The numbers tell one story, but there’s another reason to think about—freedom from the endless cycle of ordering, wearing, and replacing lenses should factor into your vision correction choice.
False Beliefs About Who Can Get Surgery
Many people miss out on laser eye surgery because they don’t know if they qualify. Here’s what London eye specialists want you to know about who can get this treatment.
1. Only young people are eligible
Your eye health matters more than your age when it comes to laser eye surgery. Most people think there’s an age limit, but healthy eyes at any age could qualify for the procedure. Patients over 50 can still benefit from laser vision correction if they don’t have cataracts. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests ages 25-40 work best, but successful results happen well beyond this range. You must be at least 18 years old and your prescription should remain stable for about two years.
2. You can’t have surgery if you have dry eyes
Thanks to modern advances, laser eye surgery is now available to many people with dry eyes. Your chances depend on how severe your condition is and how well we can manage it beforehand. Our specialists at Precision Vision London check your tear production and create treatment plans to get your eyes ready for surgery. With the right care, many patients who have mild to moderate dry eye can get through the procedure successfully.
3. Pregnant women can safely undergo the procedure
This idea is completely wrong. Pregnancy is considered a contraindication for laser eye surgery, even though there’s no clinical proof of risks. Pregnancy hormones can change your vision and corneal shape significantly. The medications used during and after surgery might also enter your bloodstream. Eye specialists tell patients to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding when hormone levels return to normal.
4. Everyone qualifies for LASIK
About 85% of adults can get vision correction surgery, but LASIK might not work for everyone. Your corneal health, stable vision, and realistic expectations play key roles in determining if you qualify. Some conditions rule out LASIK as an option – these include immune system disorders, severe dry eyes, and extreme vision problems. The only way to know for sure if you qualify is to get a complete screening.
Myths About Long-Term Results and Recovery
Many people hesitate to get laser eye surgery because they believe myths about recovery and long-term results. The specialists at Precision Vision London want to clear up these common misconceptions.
1. The results don’t last
Laser eye surgery permanently reshapes your cornea’s structure. The procedure doesn’t “wear off” with time. Your improved vision can last 10-20 years or longer. Research shows all but one of these patients needed a touch-up procedure over a 10-year period.
2. You’ll have perfect vision immediately
Your vision improves dramatically within 24 hours after LASIK. The eyes need 2-3 months to fully stabilise after the procedure. LASEK patients usually see clearly within a week.
3. Recovery is painful and takes months
The recovery process is quick and comfortable. LASIK patients go back to work within 48 hours, while LASEK patients might need up to seven days. Any discomfort after LASIK lasts 4-6 hours at most, and feels as with wearing uncomfortable contact lenses.
4. You’ll need glasses again in a few years
The need for glasses later in life usually stems from presbyopia—a natural ageing process that affects everyone around age 40, whatever their surgical history. This age-related change has nothing to do with your laser procedure’s success.
5. Laser eye surgery doesn’t work for age-related vision loss
Standard LASIK can’t prevent presbyopia. However, groundbreaking solutions like PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision help with age-related reading difficulties. This technique optimises one eye for distance and one for near vision.
Conclusion
Many myths about laser eye surgery don’t stand up to scrutiny. The fear of going blind is overblown. The actual risk stands at approximately 1 in 5 million—nowhere near the risks that come with wearing contact lenses long-term. Most patients feel minimal discomfort during the procedure and experience only short-term side effects.
Money concerns fade away under closer inspection. Laser eye surgery’s one-time cost pays for itself within 5-7 years compared to glasses and contacts’ ongoing expenses. British patients find this vision correction option both medically sound and financially smart. Laser eye surgery suits more people than most think. Age, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions might affect eligibility, but 85% of adults qualify for some type of vision correction surgery. A full picture from your doctor will determine if you’re a good candidate.
Precision Vision London’s expert surgeons help patients understand the facts and provide safe, personalised laser eye surgery solutions. Modern laser technology delivers lasting results. Most patients enjoy excellent vision for 10-20 years or longer without needing visual aids. Clear vision starts with the right information. These facts about common misconceptions help you make confident, informed choices about your vision care options. Your eyes deserve expert care based on clinical evidence, not unfounded fears.
FAQs
Q1. What are the long-term success rates of laser eye surgery? Most patients maintain excellent vision for 10-20 years or longer after laser eye surgery. Studies show that only about 35% of individuals needed retreatment over a 10-year period, demonstrating the procedure’s long-lasting effects.
Q2. How safe is laser eye surgery compared to contact lens use? Laser eye surgery is statistically safer than long-term contact lens use. The risk of serious eye infection from 30 years of contact lens wear is about 1 in 100, while the chance of losing significant vision from laser eye surgery is approximately 1 in 10,000.
Q3. Is laser eye surgery painful and does it require a long recovery period? The procedure is virtually pain-free, with most patients experiencing only mild discomfort. Recovery is generally quick, with LASIK patients typically returning to work within 48 hours and most discomfort resolving within 4-6 hours post-surgery.
Q4. How does the cost of laser eye surgery compare to long-term use of glasses or contacts? While laser eye surgery has a higher upfront cost, it often proves more economical in the long run. Most contact lens users break even within 5-7 years, making laser correction a cost-effective investment over time.
Q5. Can older adults benefit from laser eye surgery? There is no upper age limit for laser eye surgery, provided your eyes remain healthy. Many patients over 50 can still benefit from laser vision correction if they don’t have cataracts. Your eye health is more important than age when determining eligibility.
