If you have been dealing with vision problems for a long time, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with the fact that you cannot always rely on your own eyes to serve you well. Laser eye surgery to correct the vision is one of the most common procedures performed and offers a range of advantages. However, there are a lot of patients who are not very familiar with this type of treatment and associate the idea with some quite common misconceptions.
Misconception: Anyone who wants can have laser surgery to correct their vision.
Fact: Just as it is with any other medical procedure, you will have to be evaluated first by a professional to make sure you are a good candidate for eye surgery. Not everyone can have Lasik surgery performed, and some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, can mean that you are not a good candidate.
Misconception: The outcome of laser surgery will always be the same for everyone.
Fact: There are a lot of factors that can affect how successful the outcome of the laser eye surgery is. For example, if you are severely farsighted, you may not have the same success as someone who is only barely nearsighted. Further, the outcomes can be different according to the skill of the surgeon and the precision of the equipment being used to perform the procedure.
Misconception: Laser eye surgery is a new technology.
Fact: Laser eye surgery to correct vision problems has been widely practiced since 1998. Since then, more than 28 million surgeries have been performed across the world, and 11 million of those were in the United States alone.
Misconception: Lasik eye surgery is good for teens and children.
Fact: The Food and Drug Administration has not yet given permission for this form of eye surgery to be used on people who are under the age of 18. This is because children who are still growing have eyes that are still changing, which can compromise the effects of the surgery, or even cause more problems with vision.
Misconception: Older people cannot have laser eye surgery.
Fact: Laser eye surgery can be helpful for even elderly adults. However, there are other eye problems that come along with age that may interfere. For example, if you have issues with cataracts, this will have to be fully addressed before the laser vision correction surgery will do you much good.
If you feel like laser vision correction is a good choice for you, be sure to talk openly with an optometrist about your options. Discuss any misconceptions you have and you will have an easier time making the right decision.
Share20 May 2015
