Eliminate Your Fears of Lasik
Deciding whether to undergo a Lasik procedure or not depends wholly on what you already know. While Lasik is gaining popularity for vision correction, many people still do not know the ins and outs of the whole procedure, thus making them hesitant to entrust their vision to it. This article will examine some of the more common fears that surround Lasik. It will also briefly tackle some of the experiences that Lasik patients have during the procedure.
One of the reasons why many people fear Lasik, or just about an surgical procedure, is the prospect of pain before, during, and after the operation. Lasik procedures are normally done on patients who are neither unconscious nor heavily sedated, contributing the fear of experiencing pain during the operation. However, this can be misleading. The surgeon will apply drops that have anesthetic properties on your eyes, therefore you won't feel anything more than a slight pressure. You will also be given a very mild sedative to help you relax and feel comfortable.
Some people become apprehensive when they learn that Lasik procedures use lasers to reshape the eye's cornea. They are afraid that the eyes might be damaged by a small slip causing the laser to be shone directly into one's eyes, or that just one small movement of their eyes might render the surgery ineffective and damaging. The truth is the laser is only used briefly, around ten to fifteen seconds per eye. Lasik technology also has a mechanism that prevents the laser from slipping and ensures that the beam is only projected if the eyes are in their proper position.
Fear of scalpels or other sharp instruments that the surgeon may use also contributes to one's apprehensions about the procedure. In reality, the surgeon will only use a very small blade, called a microkeratome blade, near the eye. Newer Lasik technology use lasers to create a small flap, thus avoiding having to use sharp objects. Lasik procedures do not have use for scalpels, and thus this fear is unfounded.
Many people also wonder about the worst-case scenarios after the procedure. Have people actually gone blind because of this? Based on statistics gathered by the FDA, there have been no reported cases that Lasik procedure caused blindness. Experts put the risk of getting serious permanent complications from a Lasik procedure at less than one percent. Furthermore, the risk of any other complication like light halos is just at 3 percent or even less.
If you are apprehensive about being fully conscious and having to watch the doctor's hands going near your eye, you don't have to worry because the surgeon will apply drop that not only numbs the eye but black out its vision as well. The loss of vision is very temporary, only ten to fifteen seconds, which is enough for the surgeon to do the procedure successfully.
Any other concerns or fears you may have regarding the procedure will best be addressed by your Lasik surgeon. Schedule an appointment with your surgeon so that you will be fully informed before undergoing the procedure.