Three Unfounded Laser Eye Surgery Fears Explained

It’s not unusual to be anxious every time you’re about to undergo surgery. At the Mountain View Medical Center, we reassure patients who are about to undergo laser eye surgery that their fears and apprehension about the procedure are simply unfounded. Let’s explain those misperceptions.

Fear of going blind

Most people perceive laser technology as dangerous and frightening due to the portrayal of lasers in movies. The reality of lasers used in eye surgery is nothing like the zapping lasers of moviedom. In fact, the risk of going blind after having laser eye surgery is 1 in 5 million!

Fear of being awake during the procedure

Numbing eye drops and a mild sedative will be administered before surgery; these will help you relax and feel as little discomfort as possible. Some patients are also afraid that they can’t control the urge to blink during surgery. This shouldn’t be a cause for concern because a specially-designed instrument will keep your eyes open during the procedure. Plus, the laser system is designed to shut off in case you blink.

Fear of complications

As with all types of surgery, laser eye surgery has its own risks and complications such as infection, double vision, night vision difficulties, and presence of glares or halos. However, choosing a highly experienced and reputable LASIK surgeon reduces such risks exponentially.

During your pre-surgery consultation, discuss your fears about the procedure and we’ll walk you through the reality. Call (907) 328-2920 to set up an appointment.