4 Reasons We’re All Afraid of Eye Surgery

The fear is real and has stopped many people from undergoing simple, commonly performed procedures that offer tremendous benefits.

Know you’re not alone, many are afraid of having surgery on their eyes. Here are some of the most common fears about eye surgery:

1. Fear of the unknown

The fear of the unknown can take hold of even the calmest among us: What will happen? How will it feel? Is it complicated? What will recovery be like?

To help overcome your fear, learn more about what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Talk to your surgeon and ask your questions directly. He or she can explain step-by-step exactly what will happen before, during and after the surgery. The more you know, the more comfortable you will feel. You will probably discover that it’s not as scary or complicated as you thought.

2. Fear of pain

For surgeries where you remain awake, you will be given numbing drops to alleviate any pain or discomfort to the eye during the procedure. Most surgeons also prescribe a mild sedative to help you relax. While the fear of pain is real, actual pain during eye surgery is not something you should expect.

3. Fear of moving during surgery

What if I blink? Or sneeze? Or have a muscle spasm?

During eye surgeries where the patient stays awake, the eyelids are painlessly held open during the procedure. While it’s a common concern, moving during surgery is usually not a problem. Depending on the type of surgery, your surgeon may even use a contoured headrest that comfortably cradles your head during the procedure. Also the most advanced technology can easily accommodate to small movements.

4. Fear of a bad outcome

Fortunately, technology has advanced such that eye surgeries outcomes are more reliable than ever before. Before any eye procedure, you will undergo a thorough evaluation from an eye doctor to be sure that you are a good candidate. Knowing the procedure is right for you will give you confidence. Also, remember that your surgeon is an expert, so be sure to ask a lot of questions. He or she should be able to address your concerns. One tip that helps a lot of patients is to focus on life after surgery without the hassle of glasses. You can usually find patient stories on your surgeon’s website. Reading about other people’s experiences may help you to keep your mind on why you are considering the surgery in the first place. It’s common to feel fear, but it’s also common to hear patients exclaim, “I don’t know why I waited so long! It was over before I knew it.”