Anxiety About
Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, etc.

It is not likely that any decision regarding refractive surgery will benefit from undue stress.  Moderate stress is a helpful - even necessary - condition of life.  Severe chronic stress, however, is an abnormal condition that disrupts the normal functions of the body and/or mind.  No two people are affected exactly the same way, but too much stress can cause a person to make poor decisions. 

Remember, this is the decision of the individual patient.  Nobody should be forcing anyone into unwanted elective surgery. If someone is being pressured into elective surgery, then the motivations of those doing the pressuring is suspect.  We hope that the information here will eliminate some of the unknown, and perhaps a referral to a knowledgeable doctor will provide answers to those issues that are specific to individual patient.  Not every concern can be resolved, but accurate information and evaluation can go far to alleviate stress and make an appropriate decision about refractive surgery based upon the individual's needs and expectations.

One of the advantages of most refractive surgery techniques is that they are either implants (P-IOL, CLE, Intacs) or only affect the cornea (Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, LASEK, PRK).  This means that for the most part the worst-case scenario with an implant technique is the removal or exchange of the implant, and the worst-case scenario for a corneal based technique is a corneal transplant.  In nearly all instances of refractive surgery induced complications, removal/exchange of an implant or a corneal transplant are the most extreme responses to the complication.

Let us not underestimate the seriousness of these worst-case scenarios, and some complications will not be resolved by even these extreme measures. But as best you can, try to keep some perspective.

It may be valuable to consider first exactly why a person is considering refractive surgery.  Not just the issue of a reduced need for corrective lenses, but the motivation behind not wanting those lenses.  Understanding one's true motivation can be very helpful in determining if that expectation can be met, and such an understanding can remove unnecessary stress.  See Should You Do It for details.

If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, RLE, or any refractive surgery procedure, we highly recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Doctor.