People still worry needlessly about laser eye surgery myths, even though it has proven safe for 30 years. The numbers tell an interesting story – the risk of going blind from laser eye surgery sits at about 1 in 1,0000. That’s actually safer than wearing monthly contact lenses for a year. Not a single person has gone blind from this procedure, and millions of surgeries have taken place worldwide.
You might want to ask about who qualifies and what it all means if you’re thinking about laser eye surgery for short-sightedness or myopia. The good news is that modern laser technology works great for prescriptions from +4.00D of long-sightedness to -12D of short-sightedness. 98% of patients see better after the procedure. On top of that, it takes less than an hour to complete, and most patients see optimal results within days. Let’s get into the truth behind the most common myths about this life-changing procedure.
Myth 1: Laser Eye Surgery is Painful
Many people believe laser eye surgery hurts – it’s one of the most common myths out there. This worry sits at the top of most people’s minds when they think about getting their vision corrected. The good news? The actual experience is nothing like what most people imagine.
Why it doesn’t hurt during the procedure
Numbing eye drops applied before surgery make the procedure practically painless. You’ll stay awake the whole time, but won’t feel any pain – just some pressure that lasts about 30-40 seconds at certain points. Some patients say it feels like they’re “wearing a tight pair of swimming goggles”.
The whole process takes just 10-15 minutes to complete both eyes. The actual laser application takes less than a minute for each eye. Doctors can give nervous patients mild sedation tablets to help them relax.
What to expect after surgery
Your recovery depends on the type of laser eye surgery you choose:
- LASIK/SMILE: Mild discomfort usually lasts about 4-6 hours. Your eyes might feel gritty and watery, with some light sensitivity in the first 24 hours.
- LASEK/TransPRK: These surface treatments can cause more noticeable irritation that lasts 2-3 days while your eye’s surface heals. A protective bandage contact lens helps during the healing process.
Severe pain almost never happens. LASIK patients usually feel better within a day or two, though LASEK recovery takes a bit longer. Most people get back to driving and work the day after LASIK surgery.
How anaesthetic eye drops work
The anaesthetic drops numb your eye’s surface completely during surgery. The first drops might sting for a moment but quickly start working. These drops block nerve signals from your eye’s surface, which prevents any pain during the procedure.
Your aftercare kit includes lubricating eye drops to help with any dryness or mild discomfort. Your surgeon might also give you anti-inflammatory medications to manage post-operative irritation. Most patients feel amazed at how comfortable the whole thing is. One patient shared, “The surgery took 15 minutes, was completely painless and I was home relaxing by mid-afternoon”. Many wish they hadn’t waited so long because their fears about pain turned out to be unnecessary.
Myth 2: You Can Go Blind from Laser Eye Surgery
People who think over vision correction often worry most about going blind. Many patients ask, “can you go blind from laser eye surgery?” The simple truth is that blindness from laser eye surgery hardly ever happens.
Understanding the ground risks
Serious complications from laser eye surgery rarely occur. Less than 1% of patients face major surgical complications. No documented case exists where laser eye surgery directly caused blindness. Your chance of losing much vision sits at roughly 1 in 10,000 (0.01%).
Most complications don’t last long and doctors can treat them easily. Common side effects include:
- Dry eyes (usually gets better within six months)
- Glare and halos around lights
- Blurred vision that goes away
- Eyes becoming sensitive to light
Rare but serious complications might include undercorrections, overcorrections, and astigmatism. Corneal ectasia makes the cornea too thin and weak—this ranks among the more serious complications but barely ever happens.
How doctors handle rare complications
Thinking about laser eye surgery? Book a free consultation with our expert at London eye surgeons today and get clear answers to all your questions—no myths, just facts.
Only 1 in 5000 patients needs additional surgery to fix damaged corneal tissue. This usually happens when scars form after an infection or unusual healing. In spite of that, doctors can usually restore good vision after a corneal transplant, though you might need glasses or contact lenses.
Today’s laser technology uses smart tracking systems that follow your eye movements and treat the cornea with precision. Thorough pre-surgery checks help doctors find the right candidates and screen out people with risk factors like very thin corneas.
Comparing risks with contact lenses
Contact lenses actually pose higher long-term risks than laser eye surgery for short sightedness. If you wear contact lenses for 30 years, you face about a 1 in 100 (1.0%) risk of getting a serious eye infection. You also have a 1 in 2,000 (0.05%) chance of losing significant vision from contact lens infections. Studies show contact lens wearers get eye infections four times more often than people who’ve had laser eye surgery. Of course, proper cleaning and care of contact lenses helps avoid dangerous eye infections.
Myth 3: It Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Many people worry they won’t qualify for laser eye surgery. They think their vision is too poor or their eyes won’t work for the procedure. This common laser eye surgery myth stops many people from looking into a procedure that could make their life much better.
Can anyone have laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery helps many people, but several things determine if you’re eligible. Your chances depend on:
- Your eye health (problems like severe dry eye or keratoconus might rule you out)
- Overall health (autoimmune disorders or diabetes need extra attention)
- Corneal thickness (you need enough thickness to safely remove tissue)
- Prescription stability (your prescription should stay the same for at least a year)
Thanks to better screening methods and new surgical options, more people qualify now than ever before.
Laser eye surgery for short sightedness and myopia
Laser eye surgery for short sightedness works really well. The surgery reshapes your cornea to fix how light focuses on your retina. This reshaping helps with myopia by making the cornea’s centre flatter, so light focuses correctly on the retina instead of in front of it. Most people with myopia see huge improvements. They often get 20/20 vision or even better after surgery. The success rates for fixing myopia are much higher compared to other vision issues.
What if your prescription is too high?
People used to think high prescriptions couldn’t be treated with lasers. New technology has changed all that. Standard procedures now work for prescriptions between -1.00D and -10.00D.
If you have a very high prescription, you have other options:
- Phakic intraocular lenses (implantable contact lenses)
- Refractive lens exchange (replacing your natural lens)
- Customised combined approaches
How old do you have to be for laser eye surgery?
You need a stable prescription to qualify. Most doctors want patients to be at least 18 years old. Many prefer 21 or older since vision usually settles around this age. There’s no upper age limit as long as your eyes stay healthy. People over 40 should know that laser surgery won’t stop presbyopia (age-related near vision problems). If you already have presbyopia, procedures like LASIK or lens replacement might work better for you.
Myth 4: The Results Don’t Last
Many people wonder if vision correction procedures last forever. A common laser eye surgery myth claims the results will fade and you’ll need more corrections or end up back at square one. Let’s get into what science shows us about how long these procedures actually last.
Is laser eye surgery permanent?
The corneal reshaping from laser eye surgery stays permanent. Your corneal tissue doesn’t grow back once removed. This lasting change fixes your refractive error, whether you’ve had laser eye surgery for short sightedness or other vision issues.
Results last for decades after the procedure in most patients. Your original prescription, eye health, and surgical technique affect how stable these results remain. Vision changes right after surgery usually settle down within three to six months.
How ageing affects your vision later
The corneal reshaping lasts forever, but your eyes naturally change as you age. Most people’s near vision becomes less clear around age 45 due to presbyopia. This happens whatever your surgery history and it’s just part of how eyes age normally.
Young patients thinking about laser eye surgery should know age-related changes will affect them too, even with perfect surgical outcomes. Reading glasses or additional procedures can help manage these natural changes easily.
Can you still get cataracts after surgery?
Cataracts can still develop after laser eye surgery. They form in your eye’s lens, while laser procedures work on the cornea – two completely different parts. Previous laser surgery doesn’t make cataract treatment more difficult. Laser patients often see great results from cataract surgery. Your doctor will factor in your previous surgery when choosing your replacement lens power. The bottom line? Laser eye surgery permanently corrects specific vision problems, but your eyes keep ageing naturally just like everyone else’s.
Conclusion
The Reality Behind Laser Eye Surgery
Let’s explore these persistent myths about laser eye surgery. The procedure is nowhere near as risky and is more available than many believe. Without doubt, patients experience minimal discomfort instead of the severe pain many fear. The risk of blindness remains exceptionally rare—even lower than the risks linked to long-term contact lens wear.
Most people with common vision problems qualify for the procedure now. Technological advances have dramatically expanded eligibility criteria. On top of that, laser eye surgery results last permanently, though your eyes will naturally change with age.
Ready to learn more about laser eye surgery? Our expert London eye surgeons offer free consultations. You’ll get clear answers to all your questions—no myths, just facts. Millions of satisfied patients worldwide now enjoy freedom from glasses and contacts. This stands as powerful proof of laser eye surgery’s effectiveness. The procedure ranks among the safest and most successful elective treatments available today, with satisfaction rates consistently above 95%.
Facts tell the real story: laser eye surgery transforms lives while carrying minimal risks. Every medical procedure needs careful thought, but laser eye surgery’s actual risks are no match for the myths around it. You can now make a confident, informed choice about this remarkable procedure with accurate information instead of misconceptions.
FAQs
Q1. How long do the results of laser eye surgery last? Laser eye surgery results are permanent in terms of the specific correction made to your cornea. Most patients maintain improved vision for decades after the procedure. However, your eyes will continue to undergo natural age-related changes, which may affect your vision in the future.
Q2. What is the success rate of laser eye surgery in the UK? The success rate of laser eye surgery in the UK is exceptionally high, with over 95% of patients reporting satisfaction with their outcomes. Modern techniques and technology have made the procedure highly effective for correcting various vision problems.
Q3. Is laser eye surgery painful? Laser eye surgery is virtually painless during the procedure due to anaesthetic eye drops. Most patients experience only mild discomfort for a few hours afterwards, which can be managed with lubricating eye drops and, if necessary, over-the-counter pain relief.
Q4. Can anyone have laser eye surgery? While laser eye surgery is suitable for many people, not everyone is eligible. Factors such as eye health, overall health, corneal thickness, and prescription stability determine suitability. However, advancements in technology have expanded the range of treatable conditions and prescriptions.
Q5. What are the risks of going blind from laser eye surgery? The risk of blindness from laser eye surgery is extremely low, estimated at about 1 in 10,000. In fact, there have been no documented cases of blindness primarily caused by laser eye surgery. The procedure is considered safer than long-term contact lens wear in terms of serious eye health risks.
