A popular child actor turned eye surgeon, Dr Mickey is a distinguished Ophthalmologist, specializing in Refractive cataract and Lasik surgeries, he holds many degrees such as MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology), FICO (London), and MRCS (Edinburgh). He shares insights on LASIK surgery and assures it is a safe and quick procedure.
I am an Ophthalmologist and have reversed my own -8 powered spectacles with LASIK and am leading a glass free life today. I can personally attest to its transformative power. The constant dependency on spectacles was not only inconvenient but also limited my activities and lifestyle. Setting myself as an example I could recommend, convince and perform LASIK for many of my friends and family members apart from my regular patients. But when I decided to undergo LASIK, I was both excited and anxious, harboring many common fears that my patients express today.
Before I shed light on the fears, let’s understand the basics.
Understanding Vision Numbers:
=Why and how do we get a number?
=The human body is made in proportion. If the length of your eyeball increases disproportionately to your height, you may have difficulty seeing far-sighted objects.
=The eyeball becomes slightly elongated towards the back, which is not visible to the naked eye. Glasses help correct this, allowing clear vision.
=Typically, distance vision numbers increase until the age of 21, as maximum height is usually reached by then.
=LASIK Surgery: Where is it Performed?
=Eye Structure and LASIK:
=The eyeball is approximately 2.5 cm in length from front to back.
=LASIK is performed on the front 0.004% of the eye surface (about the size of a single hair strand).
=No cuts are made inside the eyeball; LASIK is done on a surface you regularly touch (e.g., placing contact lenses).
Common Fears About LASIK Surgery: Debunked
1.Pain:
=Fear: LASIK might be painful.
=Reality: Advanced numbing drops are used, making the procedure painless.
2.Movement or Blinking During Surgery:
=Fear: You may move or close your eyes during the procedure.
=Reality: Tiny, painless clips hold your eyes in place, preventing movement or closure.
3.Loss of Eyesight:
=Fear: LASIK might cause blindness.
=Reality: No documented cases link LASIK to blindness. Studies and international councils confirm LASIK does not cause blindness. The risk of losing eyesight from contact lens-related infections is higher than from LASIK.
4.Post-Surgery
Restrictions:
=Fear: You’ll need to wear black sunglasses, stay in a dark room, and avoid screens for a month.
=Reality: Modern LASIK procedures are quick, with most activities resuming within 48 hours. Screen usage does not harm your eyes before or after LASIK.
5.Cost:
=Fear: LASIK is expensive.
=Reality: While LASIK has a higher upfront cost, it is cheaper than the cumulative cost of glasses and contact lenses over a lifetime. The improvement in lifestyle and quality of life makes LASIK worth the investment.
Final Thoughts:
=Procedure Efficiency:
=LASIK is an extensively researched procedure performed on millions of eyes globally.
=Each eye takes about 5-10 minutes, with a 30-minute observation period afterward.
Consultation
Advice:
=Avoid basing your decision on rumors or unqualified opinions.
Always seek a detailed pre-LASIK evaluation and discuss with a credible LASIK surgeon.
=Avoid forming opinions based on information from Google or social media alone.