Eye Surgery, LASIK vs Contact Lenses: Which One Should You Choose?

• May 25, 2023

Eye surgery, LASIK, or laser vision correction. The procedure goes by many names, but regardless of what you call it, LASIK surgery is one of the most popular permanent options for those with poor vision.

But while laser eye surgery works for various conditions and problems, there are some times when you may want to wear contact lenses or glasses instead.

In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of either treatment option. We’ll also talk about the best times to choose glasses or contact lenses and when to go for laser eye treatment.

That way, you can easily decide on the best procedure for you.

Read on to learn more.

Understanding LASIK Surgery

Let’s start by explaining eye surgery. LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a procedure that involves making a corneal flap and then using an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. This is used to correct vision issues like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Many vision issues are caused by a misshapen or uneven cornea. When you have an uneven cornea, light rays don’t focus directly on your retina. This is what causes blurred vision, far-sightedness, and near vision. So, by reshaping the cornea, doctors allow light rays to focus directly on the retina.

That way, your vision will be as clear as possible. The entire laser vision correction procedure lasts just a few minutes. So, you’ll be in and out of the doctor’s office in no time.

To give you a better idea of when laser eye surgery is the best option, let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of the procedure.

Benefits of Lasik Surgery

The biggest benefit of laser eye surgery is that it’s a long-term solution to your vision issues. This vision correction procedure is designed to reshape the cornea, allowing you to see clearly for many years to come. In fact, most patients that undergo laser eye surgery report that they have experienced an improved vision for decades. It’s very rare for the effects of laser eye surgery to go away, so you can rest assured that you’ll see clearly for a long time coming.

On top of that, laser eye surgery is a painless procedure. At the start of the surgery, your doctor will place local anaesthetic eye drops on your eye. That way, when they turn on the femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap, you don’t feel anything.

Once they start reshaping your corneal tissue, you won’t feel any pain. On top of that, since it’s such a quick procedure with a fast healing process, it won’t cause that much trouble in your life.

If you’re looking for a convenient long-term vision correction procedure, LASIK surgery could be for you. To check if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, contact your doctor and set up a consultation.

The Downside of Laser Eye Surgery

The major downside of laser eye surgery is the price. The cost of laser eye surgery cost can vary depending on the severity of your condition, your area, and many other factors. However, you can rest assured that LASIK eye surgery will definitely cost more than glasses or contact lenses.

While you have to pay a lot for the laser eye surgery procedure, the operation offers many benefits. So, you definitely get your money’s worth when going in for surgery lasik.

Additionally, LASIK eye surgery isn’t for all conditions. There are definitely some vision issues that can’t be corrected with LASIK eye surgery. This is why speaking to a doctor about your condition is very important to find the best possible treatment option.

Potential Risks & Complications With Laser Eye Surgery

Laser refractive surgery is a very safe and simple procedure. In fact, this is one of the safest vision correction procedures available right now. But like any type of surgery, there are some risks that you have to face when you undergo LASIK surgery.

These risks include:

• Potential infections
• Dry eyes
• Over or under correction
• Night vision problems

Pros & Cons of Wearing Contact Lenses

Contacts are among the most accessible and popular options for those with blurry vision and similar issues. This is much older than LASIK technology and has been a viable option for many people for over a hundred years.

While it isn’t a permanent solution like laser treatment, it’s very affordable and effective. So, let’s dive into using a contact lens instead of undergoing a LASIK procedure so you can determine the best option for your needs.

Benefits

There are many benefits to using glasses or contacts. The biggest one is probably the fact that it’s affordable and doesn’t require any surgery. On top of that, you have many options for styles and designs, which is why many people prefer to wear glasses or contacts instead of undergoing LASIK refractive surgery.

Drawbacks

There are some definite drawbacks to using contact lenses. These include:

• They aren’t a permanent solution
• It’s easy to lose or break your contacts
• Contacts can be uncomfortable
• Contacts can limit your physical activities

How to Choose Between Laser Eye Surgery & Contact Lenses

If you’re having a hard time deciding on the best approach for your vision issues, here are a few tips for choosing the right treatment option.

Assess Your Vision Problems

First, you need to check out what’s causing your poor vision. That way, you can easily determine whether or not you’re a viable candidate for laser surgery or if you’re better off with a contacts or glasses prescription.

Consider Your Personal Needs

Secondly, try to consider your personal needs. While surgery can be expensive, it can make life much easier and more convenient for some people. So, before deciding on a treatment option, make sure to assess your own needs and preferences.

Conclusion

We live in an age where we can choose between various treatment options to correct our vision. That said, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. So, now that you understand the pros and cons of wearing contacts and going in for laser eye surgery, it’s time to choose the best approach for your needs!

Eye surgery, LASIK, or laser vision correction. The procedure goes by many names, but regardless of what you call it, LASIK surgery is one of the most popular permanent options for those with poor vision. But while laser eye surgery works for various conditions and problems, there are some times when you may want to…