When compared to glasses and contact lenses, corrective eye surgery sounds like a dream come true. Imagine not having to worry about your eyewear when playing sports or carrying out detail-oriented tasks. People who struggle with their contact lenses often consider corrective eye surgery to be the answer to all their problems. But, like any other procedure, corrective eye surgery comes with its own set of positives and negatives. Before you undergo the procedure, make sure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for you.
On the plus side, corrective eye surgery is a quick and virtually painless outpatient procedure that produces dramatic, permanent results. Many patients find that their vision has improved within a day of surgery. Those facts alone are enough to persuade many people. Others enjoy the freedom from corrective eyewear, either because they
don't like the way it looks on them or because they find it bothersome. Frequent travelers and outdoor sport enthusiasts tend to prefer LASIK over lenses.
Patients often rediscover their self-confidence after they undergo laser eye surgery. It can be frustrating and disheartening when you
can't wear contact lenses but don't like glasses either. People who don't want to hide their faces behind frames often have corrective eye surgery for aesthetic reasons.
There are certain careers where eye glasses and contact lenses aren't practical. Policemen
can't chase down a fleeing suspect if they're constantly worrying about their glasses. Pilots
can't risk dry eyes or blurry vision, so contacts aren't an option for them. Corrective eye surgery makes life easier for millions of Americans in all lines of work.
However, corrective eye surgery also has its share of drawbacks. For example, the procedure
isn't usually covered by vision insurance. The out of pocket costs are steep, and can be prohibitive to some patients. A typical LASIK procedure can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per eye. Of course, LASIK is a one-time surgical correction, so its value increases over time compared to the frequent purchases associated with corrective eyewear.
Corrective eye surgery isn't right for everyone. People who play contact sports or participate in martial arts
shouldn't have LASIK. Trauma to the eyes can cause the corneal flap to get displaced, even years after the surgery was completed. Some medical conditions also disqualify patients from laser eye surgery. These include glaucoma, diabetes, tears in the cornea, and others.
Finally, the side effects and potential complications of LASIK, though rare, dissuade some patients from proceeding. Side effects include dry eyes, blurred vision, irritation, and mild discomfort. More serious complications include infection, folding or sliding of the corneal flap, vision abnormalities, and a marked worsening of night vision. Some of these complications require additional surgery to correct.
As you can see, the choice to have corrective eye surgery is a personal one. Every candidate must weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks. If you decide that LASIK is worth it, find an experienced surgeon and set up a pre-surgical evaluation where you can have all of your questions addressed by a professional.
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