Refractive surgery to correct myopia raises many questions and is subject to many prejudices. While these preconceived ideas may worry some patients, it's important to sort out what's true from what's false so that you can make an informed decision.
True or false: "Refractive surgery is painful".
False
One of the main fears of patients is pain. However, refractive surgery, whether LASIK or PRK, is performed under local anaesthetic using eye drops. Some tingling may be experienced, and the instrument that prevents blinking (the eyelid retractor) can sometimes cause a little discomfort if the patient "tenses up".
Some people may experience slight discomfort or a tingling sensation after the operation, but this is usually alleviated by eye drops prescribed by the surgeon. Moreover, recovery is rapid, and discomfort often disappears within a few days.
True or False: "Refractive surgery is suitable for everyone".
False
Refractive surgery is an effective technique, but it is not suitable for all patients. Eligibility depends on many factors, which your ophthalmologist will analyze in detail during the pre-operative check-up. This is a compulsory step, enabling the ophthalmologist to check that your eyes meet the necessary criteria (stability of myopia, corneal thickness, age, history, etc.) to undergo surgery safely.
Only after this in-depth analysis can the best solution be proposed.
Our team at the CNVO Center is at your disposal to support you throughout the process, in complete safety.
True or False: "Refractive surgery is risky".
True
Like all surgical procedures, refractive surgery carries risks. However, with technological advances and modern techniques, complications are extremely rare.
In addition, a thorough pre-operative check-up helps to identify potential contraindications and guarantee the safety of the procedure. Overall, for well-selected patients, results are highly satisfactory, and complications, when they do occur, are generally mild and temporary.
True or False: "There is only one surgical technique for myopia".
False
There are several surgical techniques available for myopia surgery (link to "myopia surgery" page), including LASIK, PKR (refractive photokeratectomy), Trans-PRK (transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy) and SMILE.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on many factors: thickness of the cornea, intensity of the visual defect, etc. The preoperative assessment helps determine the most appropriate technique for each case.
If you are considering refractive surgery, the best approach is to consult a specialized ophthalmologist who can guide you according to your personal situation.
At the Centre Nord Vaudois d’Ophtalmologie (CNVO), we have an experienced team and state-of-the-art technology at our disposal to provide you with optimum care in complete safety. Before any procedure, a full assessment will be carried out to determine whether refractive surgery is right for you. Please contact us for more information.
