Laser eye surgery: 12 myths, facts and outright bluffs

Laser eye surgery attracts more misinformation than almost any elective procedure in the UK — partly from decades-old scare stories, partly from advertising. Here are the twelve claims I hear most, and an honest verdict on each.

1. 'Laser eye surgery wears off after ten years' — MYTH

The corneal reshaping is permanent. What changes is the rest of the eye: presbyopia arrives in the mid-forties and the natural lens eventually develops a cataract. That is ageing, not the laser undoing itself.

2. 'You can go blind from LASIK' — BLUFF

There is no documented case of blindness from routine modern LASIK in a properly screened patient. Serious sight-threatening complications are estimated at well under 1 in 10,000. Wearing monthly contact lenses for a decade carries a higher lifetime risk of sight-threatening infection.

3. 'It is agonising' — MYTH

The procedure is painless under anaesthetic drops. LASIK typically causes a few hours of grittiness and watering. Surface treatments (LASEK/PRK) are genuinely uncomfortable for two to four days — an honest clinic will tell you this in advance.

4. 'Everyone gets dry eyes forever' — PART FACT

Temporary dryness is common for three to six months and is expected. Persistent troublesome dryness beyond that is uncommon and largely preventable by screening out patients with significant pre-existing dry eye — which is why a tear film assessment is part of a proper workup.

5. 'If I blink or move, the laser will damage my eye' — MYTH

Modern excimer lasers track eye movement hundreds of times per second and shut off instantly if the eye moves outside tolerance. A speculum holds the lids open. This concern, though universal, is unfounded.

6. 'SMILE is always better than LASIK' — BLUFF

SMILE is an excellent flapless option for many myopic patients but it does not treat all prescriptions, notably long-sightedness, and enhancement is less straightforward. The best procedure is the one your corneal scans support, not the newest acronym.

7. 'Laser can fix my reading vision permanently' — MYTH

It cannot. Laser reshapes the cornea; presbyopia is caused by the stiffening natural lens. Blended vision helps some patients temporarily, but only lens replacement addresses the underlying cause.

8. 'Cheap laser is the same operation' — BLUFF

The laser platform, the diagnostics, the surgeon and the aftercare all vary. The £995-per-eye headline typically applies to the lowest prescriptions with basic treatment and excludes enhancements.

9. 'You cannot have cataract surgery later if you have had LASIK' — MYTH

You can, and many do. Prior laser does make the IOL power calculation harder, which is why keeping your old treatment records and choosing a surgeon experienced in post-refractive calculations matters.

10. 'Everyone gets 20/20' — BLUFF

Around 95% of suitable low-to-moderate myopes achieve driving-standard vision without glasses, and most achieve 20/20. It is high, but it is not a guarantee, and any clinic that promises one is over-selling.

11. 'Contact lenses are safer than surgery' — MYTH

Over 20 years of daily wear, the cumulative risk of microbial keratitis from contact lenses exceeds the risk profile of a single well-screened laser procedure.

12. 'Anyone can have it' — MYTH

Roughly one in four people assessed is not suitable, because of thin corneas, keratoconus risk, unstable prescription, severe dry eye or certain systemic conditions. Being told 'no' is a mark of a good clinic, not a bad one.

Where to go from here

If any of this sounds like your own experience, the sensible next step is a full diagnostic assessment with a consultant — not a sales appointment. Ms Tahmina Pearsall is a UK-trained NHS Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with more than 40,000 procedures behind her, and she personally performs every operation she plans. You can see current fixed prices, read verified patient reviews or book a consultation at any of the UK clinic locations.

This article is general information written by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon. It is not a substitute for a personal examination and individual medical advice.