Here’s how to decide if getting LASIK is better for you versus wearing glasses or contacts for the long-term.
Glasses and contact lenses are a regular part of everyday life for those with a vision impairment. Many people will go their whole life relying on contacts and glasses without ever considering vision correction surgery. The main reason for people not considering vision correction is a fear of the procedure. During patients’ consultation Dr. Horn takes the time to educate each patient and answer any questions they may have. Most often, these fears are lifted once they learn the actual risks associated with vision correction procedures. In addition, they learn about the increased risk of inserting a foreign plastic object into their eye every day and that in fact using contacts runs a higher risk.
Long-Term Effects of Wearing Contacts vs Getting LASIK
A study posted in 2020 revealed that less than 1% of LASIK patients lost sight of up to two lines on a traditional eye vision chart after they had surgery. Many short-term symptoms present immediately after the procedure usually dissipate with time. So, with LASIK, the vast majority of people undergo laser vision correction without any issues at all.
Contact lenses, however, carry more risk due to their daily use. One study in 2017 found that up to 47% of contact users developed an eye infection at some point. The long-term effects of putting in contacts doesn’t just stop at infection risk. One must also consider common issues such as dry eye, lens-related discomfort, lens tears, and other annoyances.
We can say with confidence that satisfaction with LASIK is much higher than contacts over the long-term. From a satisfaction analysis in 2016, three years post LASIK surgery, 88% of people were happy they underwent the procedure.
Receive a Free LASIK Self-Test
The best way to determine if LASIK is right for you is to come into our clinic for a free consultation. However, if you are not quite ready to schedule a consultation, another option exists. Did you know that you can receive a FREE self-test for LASIK right from the comfort of your home? Just answer a few questions about your eyesight, and we will email your results.
