Anxious about Laser Eye Surgery? Read why you don’t have to be

Most of us have a weird, visceral reaction to the thought of someone touching our eyes. And even hearing the word mentioned in the same breath as ‘laser’ is enough to make us cringe. So when it comes to actually considering or preparing for the surgery, well, you can take that icky feeling and times it by ten. Add to that even the slightest trace of negativity about Laser Eye Surgery online, and you have a perfect recipe for widespread fear.

But apart from the unfortunate name, there’s really nothing to be anxious about. The lasers used in the procedure aren’t anything like the ones you see in the movies. That tabloid article or comment thread you read is dated ten years from a patient who went to a budget clinic in Southern Bangladesh. Numbing eye drops block out any sensation during the procedure, and the whole thing is over in just a few minutes.

So, no need to worry, right?

Right… But tell me, will it be painful? And what happens if it goes wrong? Can I go blind? What if I change my mind or blink or flinch or decide to jump out the chair? What if…

The thing is, anxiety doesn’t play by any rules. It has no shame and does as it pleases. But although it often doesn’t seem like it, we have the upper hand. We know what its kryptonite is: knowledge. Much of the anxiety around Laser Eye Surgery is spurred out of fear of the unknown and therefore can be struck right at its core by learning some cold hard facts.

For starters, Laser Eye Surgery is a pain-free treatment. At the start of the procedure, the surgeon applies numbing eye drops that take effect immediately. During the few minutes on the bed, all you may feel is a slight sensation of pressure. After the eye drops wear off, it’s normal to experience some dryness — but nothing the lubricated eye drops can’t manage.

Laser Eye Surgery isn’t on the same plane as necessary surgical procedures carried out in hospitals. Whereas complications can occur in up to 25 percent of inpatient operations, there’s only a 0.1 percent chance of any minor visual complication arising during Laser Eye Surgery. And even then a fully qualified and experienced surgeon using the latest technology can fix most of them. This makes Laser Eye Surgery not only one of the safest surgeries around but even safer than wearing contact lenses.

As you’ll imagine from the figures above, there’s nearly an immeasurable chance of going blind from the procedure.

The next one is a big concern for those who think they’re prone to bad luck and tend to get the jitters when they’re nervous: the chance of messing up the procedure. But with safety systems like eye tracking technology, there’s virtually nothing you can do to disrupt the outcome. You can move, blink, cough, or sneeze — no matter how hard you try, you can’t mess it up.

Still anxious?

That’s okay, it’s perfectly normal to have some nerves about Laser Eye Surgery. That’s why we do all we can to make you feel calm and ready (chocolate and head massages really help). If you’d like to find out more or book a consultation at London Vision Clinic, leave us a comment or give us a call us on 020 7224 1005.