The Top 3 Patient Concerns about LASIK

woman receiving eye exam

Fear of the unknown keeps many people from potentially life-changing decisions, and this is no less true of the decision to fix your bad vision through LASIK. Eye surgery can be intimidating when you don’t know what to expect, so we’re going to lift the veil on the whole thing. 

Here are the 3 most common patient concerns we’ve heard over the many years of helping thousands of patients gain vision independence – and why they shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the better eyesight you deserve:

1. Pain. “Will this hurt? Will I be awake during surgery? What if I blink?” We get a lot of questions from patients about what surgery feels like. It’s normal to worry about such things when a surgical procedure involves a very delicate and sensitive part of the body.

With our procedures, special numbing drops keep you from feeling much of anything. Some patients report feeling a bit of pressure or vibration during surgery, or a sensation of grittiness in the eye immediately following surgery. Others don’t feel anything at all. This is because the SoftTouch LASIK technology we use is designed to provide a fast, gentle procedure. 

Your surgeon will also use a special instrument to hold your eyelid open to prevent blinking, while a precise mechanism tracks even the slightest eye movement. All you have to do is look straight ahead for a few seconds, and you’ll do fine. If you still feel anxious about your procedure, your surgical team can provide a mild sedative to help you relax.

2. Complications & Side Effects. Any surgical procedure can come with complications, but you’ll be happy to know that LASIK complications are quite rare as long as the patient is a good candidate for treatment.

Dr. Khambati and our team conduct extensive scans of your eyes to ensure you are an ideal candidate. He will personally meet with you to discuss his recommendations and answer any questions you have prior to your treatment.

That’s not to say there are no side effects of LASIK while healing takes place: Depending on the type of laser eye surgery you have, you could experience temporary nighttime halos and glares, irritation, dryness and other symptoms as your eyes go through the traditionally quick healing process.

Here’s another reason to feel good about LASIK: According to the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, more than 90 percent of LASIK patients improve to 20/20 or better, while 99 percent achieve 20/40 or better after surgery. Patient satisfaction with LASIK surgery tops 96 percent.

3. Cost. Paying for LASIK or a LASIK alternative can feel intimidating. It becomes less frightening when you do the math on the long-term costs of prescription eyeglasses, contacts lenses and contact lens solution over a lifetime. Patients often find that the upfront cost of their vision correction procedure more than pays for itself within a few years as they no longer need expensive prescription lenses.

The cost of LASIK, potential side effects and the level of discomfort during and after surgery will depend on the procedure performed and the skill of your surgeon. Your doctor will provide you with as much information about what to expect, so you can make the best possible decision regarding your vision correction.

Dr. Khambati performs SoftTouch LASIK and the ZEISS SMILE procedure. In his opinion and experience, these are the most advanced, proven laser vision correction treatments available to help patients achieve the vision they want quickly, comfortably and safely. Lake Lazer Eye Center offers convenient and affordable payment options for laser eye surgery to help you achieve the crisp, clear vision you desire. In the event that you’re not a candidate for LASIK, we’ll assist you with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.

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