LASIK Misconceptions and Myths
Chicago, Arlington Heights, Downtown Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Golden is always ready to answer your questions about LASIK. Some are answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page and the procedure is explained on our LASIK page. Other questions indicate common LASIK misconceptions and myths, which Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center hope to dispel. Some of these misconceptions are discussed below.
LASIK is not for people over the age of 40.
While people over the age of 40 tend to develop more diseases and disorders – of either their bodies or eyes – age alone does not determine LASIK eligibility. In fact, some of the diseases and disorders considered precautions may not disqualify a patient from LASIK. Dr. Golden evaluates numerous factors about your general health and eye health before recommending LASIK or an alternative procedure. The oldest person that Dr. Golden has treated with LASIK was 86 years old.
LASIK is the cure-all for any eye disorder and gives you perfect vision.
LASIK treats refractive disorders of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. LASIK can treat presbyopia, but this is an indirect treatment since presbyopia results from age-related stiffening of the lens rather than changes to the shape of the cornea. Other disorders have alternative eye surgeries specific to each. Even when used to treat refractive disorders, LASIK does not always result in 20/20 vision. Sometimes it results in better than 20/20 vision, and sometimes it drastically improves vision even if unable to correct all the way to 20/20 vision.
LASIK can correct all refractive errors.
There are limits to the range of refractive error that LASIK can correct so that you can stop wearing corrective lenses. People with extreme refractive error may find that their vision can be corrected enough to need a lower corrective prescription. Others may eliminate the need for lenses for just one range of vision. Improvements in LASIK are continually being researched. What could not be achieved a few years ago is possible now with the advent of custom wavefront LASIK technology. We expect research will continue to develop improved treatments in the future.
LASIK vision correction is permanent.
This one is just correct enough to cause confusion. The surgical changes made by LASIK ARE permanent because LASIK removes corneal tissue. The permanence of the vision correction resulting from LASIK depends upon how aging affects your eyes. Some who have LASIK early in life have changes in the shape and size of their eyes over time requiring small amounts of fine-tuning several years later. There are numerous eye disorders associated with aging that change eye structure and function. These changes alter the way your eyes refract the light that enters them. A variety of age-related changes can cause changes in your vision, so you may lose clarity of vision at any distance over time.
LASIK limits a person’s job opportunities.
Increasingly fewer employers impose LASIK surgery restrictions on employees. Those that do may not restrict you if you have an alternative laser correction procedure, such as PRK, Epi-LASIK or LASEK. Today professionals such as firefighters, pilots, emergency first responders, police, athletes and even astronauts are able to work their jobs after having LASIK or other laser treatment. Check with your employer before having any laser eye surgery to be sure of company policies. Most people find that these policies are outdated and based upon early LASIK outcomes.
If you are considering LASIK and want to clear up any misconceptions and myths about LASIK please contact Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center for accurate information.
Two Locations:
Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60611 | Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
2010 S Arlington Heights Rd, Suite 121
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
