If you need vision correction, the thought of laser eye surgery may be intimidating. You might worry about the procedure’s cost or the risks involved, and these factors may lead you to believe that contacts are the better solution.
However, there are notable downsides to wearing contact lenses, and LASIK offers several advantages, including the convenience and freedom of no longer needing to rely on a vision correction device.
Below, Dr. Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute talks more about why LASIK is a better solution than contacts.
LASIK Is Less Likely to Cause Complications
Contrary to popular belief, patients who have LASIK are less likely to suffer from complications, including infections and vision loss, than long-time contact lens wearers.
People who wear contacts have a greater risk of developing keratitis or corneal ulcers. Plus, they are more likely to get conjunctivitis, dry eye and corneal abrasions.
The risks associated with contact lenses increase when lenses aren’t cared for properly. But complications can still occur when proper care is taken, and risks accumulate over time.
LASIK, on the other hand, has become safer and more effective thanks to technological advancements, and when LASIK is performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon, the risk for complications is low.
LASIK Is More Economical in the Long Run
If you consider how much you spend on contacts each year over multiple decades, LASIK becomes the more cost-effective solution.
Many factors affect the cost of contacts, including lens type and certain eye conditions, such as astigmatism and presbyopia. But on average, a year’s supply of contacts runs between $220 and $260 plus the cost of cleaning solutions, which can add up to around $150 if the contacts are worn daily and disinfected after each use.
The cost of LASIK varies as well. But the average cost of LASIK in 2019 is around $4,500 ($2,250 per eye).
Based on these figures, when you compare the cost of LASIK to longtime contact lens use, LASIK is a better investment and your savings begin accumulating in less than 15 years.
LASIK Offers More Convenience and Freedom than Contacts
After having LASIK, your eyes can see clearly 24 hours a day, which means that when you wake up in the morning you can see. This is not the case with contacts, which should be worn for 12 to 16 hours at the most and not overnight.
Plus, there is less to worry about after having LASIK. You no longer have to clean your contacts or make sure they’re properly stored and you don’t have to concern yourself with removing your contacts before showering or swimming.
Contact Us
To learn more about LASIK and whether it’s the right vision solution for you, call or email Dr. Stein and the team at Bochner Eye Institute to speak to an experienced eye-care professional.