Trick or Treat? Myths and Facts About Refractive Surgery
Halloween is full of tricks and treats—but when it comes to your vision, you deserve the facts. Refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK, ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), has helped millions of people see clearly without glasses or contact lenses. Yet myths and misconceptions still cause hesitation for many patients. Let’s separate the spooky stories from the truth.
👻 Myth 1: LASIK is painful.
Fact: Thanks to numbing eye drops and advanced bladeless technology, most patients feel little to no discomfort during LASIK. You may notice some pressure for a few seconds, but the procedure is quick and typically painless. Recovery is fast, and most patients return to normal activities within a day or two.
🎃 Myth 2: LASIK is the only option.
Fact: LASIK is just one type of refractive surgery. At Horizon, we also offer PRK (great for thinner corneas), ICL (an implantable lens for patients who aren’t LASIK candidates), and RLE (an excellent option for patients in their 40s and beyond who want to reduce dependence on glasses). There’s a solution for nearly every vision need.
🦇 Myth 3: The results don’t last.
Fact: Most refractive surgery permanently reshapes or enhances your vision. The correction itself is long-lasting. However, the eyes still age naturally over time—so conditions like presbyopia (needing reading glasses) or cataracts can develop later in life. That doesn’t erase the benefits of refractive surgery—it just means your eyes will continue to need care as you age.
🍬 Myth 4: LASIK is dangerous.
Fact: Refractive surgery is one of the safest and most studied elective procedures in the world, with high patient satisfaction rates. At Horizon, our surgeons use advanced technology and thorough evaluations to ensure each patient is a good candidate, which greatly minimizes risks.
🕸️ Myth 5: You’ll never need glasses again.
Fact: Many patients enjoy life without glasses for years after surgery, but no procedure can guarantee complete freedom from glasses forever. Depending on your age, vision needs, and lifestyle, you may still need glasses for certain activities, especially close-up work as you get older. What refractive surgery does offer is freedom from the daily hassle of glasses or contacts.
🎃 Clear Vision is No Trick
Refractive surgery isn’t a magic spell—but it is a safe, proven way to enjoy clearer vision. Don’t let myths hold you back from exploring your options.
Schedule your free refractive surgery consultation with Horizon Eye Specialists today, and find out which procedure is the right treat for your eyes.