LASIK: Fact vs Myth

Laser vision correction has transformed the lives of millions of people around the world. As a medical professional who has spent years evaluating patients, discussing treatment options, and seeing firsthand the life-changing outcomes of LASIK, I believe it remains one of the safest, most effective, and most rewarding elective procedures available today.

Despite its excellent track record, LASIK is still surrounded by a cloud of myths and misinformation. Patients frequently arrive at consultations with concerns that they’ve heard from friends, family members, or outdated internet sources. Many of these misconceptions prevent people from pursuing a procedure that could free them from the daily hassles of glasses or contact lenses.

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser vision correction surgery designed to reshape the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to correct refractive errors such as:

• Myopia (nearsightedness) – difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.

• Hyperopia (farsightedness) – difficulty seeing near objects clearly.

• Astigmatism – irregular corneal shape causing blurred or distorted vision.

The procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye and is performed with numbing eye drops. Using advanced femtosecond and excimer lasers, a precise corneal flap is created and the underlying tissue is reshaped to refocus light properly onto the retina. Patients often notice a dramatic improvement in vision within hours, with minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.

Myth 1: LASIK is Unsafe

The Myth: Many people worry that LASIK is risky, dangerous, or experimental. They fear blindness, severe complications, or long-term problems.

The Fact: LASIK is one of the safest and most studied elective procedures in all of medicine. Since the first LASIK surgeries in the 1990s, more than 40 million procedures have been performed worldwide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and countless international regulatory bodies recognize LASIK as safe and effective.

Complication rates are extremely low. In modern LASIK, the risk of serious vision loss is less than 1 in 10,000—a rate comparable to or lower than many common medical procedures, including contact lens wear.

Professional Insight: Patients are often surprised to learn that wearing contact lenses for many years carries a higher risk of infection and permanent vision damage than LASIK surgery. In fact, a patient who wears contact lenses daily for 20–30 years is statistically at higher risk of serious eye problems than a patient who undergoes LASIK.

Myth 2: LASIK Results Don’t Last

The Myth: Some people believe that LASIK “wears off” after a few years and that vision inevitably deteriorates.

The Fact: LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea. The changes it makes do not “wear off.” What does happen is that, as we age, natural changes occur in the eye that LASIK does not prevent. For example, around the age of 40–50, most people develop presbyopia, an age-related decline in near focusing ability. Later in life, cataracts can form, which also affect vision.

These age-related changes occur whether or not someone has had LASIK. The vast majority of LASIK patients enjoy stable vision for decades. Enhancements or “touch-ups” can be performed if necessary, but the need is rare with today’s precise laser technology.

Professional Insight: Many of my patients return years after LASIK still enjoying excellent vision. Some bring their children or friends for consultations, proudly sharing their story of how the procedure changed their lives.

Myth 3: LASIK is Painful

The Myth: A common misconception is that LASIK is extremely painful.

The Fact: LASIK is virtually painless. Before surgery, numbing eye drops are applied, so patients feel only mild pressure—not pain—during the procedure. Afterward, some patients may experience mild irritation, dryness, or light sensitivity for a few hours, but this typically resolves quickly. Most are comfortable enough to resume daily activities by the next day.

Professional Insight: I often tell patients that LASIK discomfort is less than what most people experience when wearing a pair of dry contact lenses for too long.

Myth 4: LASIK Causes Night Vision Problems

The Myth: Patients frequently worry about glare, halos, or starbursts at night after LASIK.

The Fact: In the early days of LASIK, night vision symptoms were more common because of older technology and smaller treatment zones. Modern wavefront-guided and topography-guided LASIK greatly minimize these issues by customizing treatment to each patient’s unique eye.

Most patients today report improved night vision compared to what they had with glasses or contacts. Studies show that fewer than 1–2% of patients have persistent bothersome night vision symptoms long-term.

Professional Insight: Many contact lens wearers already experience glare and halos, especially at night. After LASIK, those same patients often notice clearer, crisper vision than they ever had with corrective lenses.

Myth 5: LASIK is Too Expensive

The Myth: Many people think LASIK is a luxury only for the wealthy.

The Fact: While LASIK is not inexpensive, it is an investment that often pays for itself. Consider the lifetime costs of glasses, frames, lenses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses along with solutions and supplies. Over a lifetime, most patients spend far more on corrective eyewear than on a one-time LASIK procedure.

Additionally, many practices offer flexible financing plans, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can be used to cover LASIK expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Professional Insight: When patients compare the cost of LASIK to decades of glasses and contacts—not to mention the convenience of waking up and seeing clearly without aids—many view the procedure as not only affordable but cost-saving.

Myth 6: LASIK Isn’t For Everyone

The Myth: Some patients worry they are not good candidates for LASIK, or that the procedure is too restrictive.

The Fact: While LASIK isn’t right for every single patient, the majority of people who are healthy and have a stable prescription are good candidates. Advancements in screening, laser technology, and alternative procedures mean that more people qualify today than ever before.

Patients who aren’t ideal candidates for LASIK may benefit from other procedures such as PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), or implantable contact lenses (ICLs).

Professional Insight: A thorough eye examination is critical. At my clinic, we use advanced imaging technology to evaluate the cornea, lens, and retina to ensure every patient receives the safest, most appropriate recommendation.

Myth 7: Recovery Takes a Long Time

The Myth: Some imagine weeks of downtime, bandages, or prolonged healing after LASIK.

The Fact: Recovery from LASIK is remarkably fast. Most patients see well within hours, and many return to work or school the next day. While vision continues to stabilize over several weeks, the majority of patients report life-changing improvements immediately.

Professional Insight: I often remind patients that LASIK is one of the few surgeries where you can see the results the same day—and in many cases, even drive safely the next morning.

Myth 8: LASIK is Only for the Young

The Myth: Patients sometimes think LASIK is only for people in their 20s.

The Fact: LASIK can be appropriate for a wide age range, typically from 18 to the mid-50s. The key is stable vision and healthy eyes. Patients in their 40s and 50s often choose LASIK to reduce dependence on glasses for distance vision while accepting the normal need for reading glasses due to presbyopia.

Professional Insight: I have successfully treated patients in their late 50s and even early 60s, provided their eyes are otherwise healthy. Age alone is not a disqualifier.

Myth 9: LASIK Has Too Many Side Effects

The Myth: Stories circulate online about dryness, discomfort, or long-term complications.

The Fact: While mild dryness is common for a few weeks after LASIK, it almost always improves with time and artificial tears. Serious side effects are very rare. Patient satisfaction rates consistently exceed 95%, making LASIK one of the most well-regarded procedures in medicine.

Professional Insight: It’s important to put risks in perspective. Every medical procedure carries some risk. The risks of LASIK are lower than the risks of long-term contact lens wear, which can cause chronic dryness, infections, corneal ulcers, and even scarring.

Myth 10: LASIK Can Make You Blind

The Myth: Perhaps the scariest misconception is that LASIK can cause blindness.

The Fact: The risk of blindness from LASIK is extraordinarily low—so low that it is nearly unheard of in modern practice. LASIK reshapes the cornea only; it does not penetrate into the deeper structures of the eye where conditions that cause blindness (such as retinal disease or glaucoma) occur.

Professional Insight: With proper screening, advanced technology, and experienced surgeons, the risk of blindness from LASIK is statistically lower than the risk of being in a car accident while driving to your appointment.

The Benefits of LASIK: Why It’s Highly Recommended

After addressing myths, it’s important to emphasize the life-changing benefits of LASIK.

1. Freedom from Glasses and Contacts

Waking up and seeing clearly without fumbling for glasses is liberating. Patients describe traveling, exercising, swimming, and even simply reading the clock with a new sense of freedom.

2. High Success Rates

More than 96% of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, and satisfaction rates consistently exceed 95%.

3. Quick Recovery

LASIK offers almost instant results and minimal downtime compared to most surgical procedures.

4. Long-Term Cost Savings

By eliminating the recurring expense of corrective eyewear, LASIK often pays for itself in just a few years.

5. Improved Quality of Life

From professional opportunities to recreational activities, clear vision enhances nearly every aspect of life.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Ideal candidates generally:

• Are at least 18 years old.

• Have stable vision for at least one year.

• Have healthy corneas and eyes free of significant disease.

• Have realistic expectations and understand the procedure.

Final Thoughts: Fact Wins Over Myth

As a medical professional, I can say with confidence that LASIK is safe, effective, and life-changing. The myths that persist are largely based on outdated information, rare complications, or misconceptions. When patients undergo proper screening and receive care from experienced surgeons, the results are overwhelmingly positive.

If you are tired of the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses, I highly recommend considering LASIK. Schedule a consultation with a qualified eye care professional to learn whether you are a candidate. For many people, it’s one of the best investments they will ever make in themselves—the gift of clear, lasting vision.