We have personally seen many different types of people come
through our Free LASIK Consultation. Some people question technology, some
concern themselves with safety, and many are concerned that the cost of the
procedure may not outweigh the benefits. Since our
website deals largely with
the issues of technology and safety, let’s address the issue of cost versus
benefits.
First, let’s look at
the benefits of a laser vision correction procedure, like LASIK or PRK:
It is possible for a patient to achieve 20/20 eyesight, or
even better, with laser vision correction. You could live your life waking up
and seeing immediately instead of searching for your glasses. You can
experience the spontaneity of life, such as jumping in a swimming pool, playing
in the rain, or going out on a windy day, without the fear of how any of these
actions may affect your contacts and your ability to see. You can take a nap,
free from the worry of taking your contacts out of your eyes first. You don’t
have to rush to the store every time you are out of contact lens solution or
order more glasses when yours accidentally break. You will be able to see life,
naturally.
Is all that worth the cost of LASIK?
Our patients think so.
“I’d worn corrective lenses of some type for 48 years and words fail me to describe how good it was to wake up the first morning and see the clock!”
– Tommy Rutledge
“After nearly fifteen years of not being able to see without lenses, I decided to have LASIK surgery. It has changed my life. I see clearer than I ever did with glasses or contacts. If I had to make the choice again, I would without a doubt choose to have LASIK by Dr. O’Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery.”
- Tina Campbell
However, some people have heard that people who have had
LASIK eventually return to wearing glasses. How can this be if they have
already had their vision corrected?
Let’s clear up one fact – LASIK or laser vision correction
will NOT give you excellent vision for your whole lifetime.
Wait – what?
It’s true. Your eyes are living organs and there are
certain, inevitable conditions that occur due to aging. One of these conditions
is known as Presbyopia. Presbyopia is when the natural lenses in your eyes
begin to harden. When you are young, your lenses are flexible so they can
adjust to seeing near and far. As you age, these lenses harden. When they lose
their flexibility, bifocals or reading glasses are used to help your eyes adjust.
Another inevitable is
cataracts. Everyone will develop
cataracts as they age. The affect that a cataract has on your vision depends
largely upon the degree to which they form. Some people will never notice the
affect while others may go blind.
The age at which you develop cataracts and/or presbyopia is
not predetermined. For some, the symptoms of presbyopia can begin appearing as
early as 40. For others, they may not have any side effects until 50 or older.
For cataracts, most don’t appear until your early 60s or even into your 70s.
So back to the question – is the cost of LASIK worth it in
the long run?
Let’s say you are nearsighted and you purchase disposable
contact lenses every month. Then you have to purchase cleaning solution each
month. If you lose a contact, tear it, it falls out, etc., then you have to
replace your monthly supply faster than anticipated. You also have to get a
pair of glasses for the times you don’t have contacts or if you have an eye infection
or you’ve worn your contacts for too long. These glasses can easily be lost or
broken, so it’s not just a one-time expense.
This is a cost you have to pay, every month, consistently
for 20 or more years. You are stuck with plastic on your eyes and the
constraints they present just so you don’t have to compromise the ability to
see.
Or you can have laser vision correction and have your procedure
paid off in two years or less. You'll gain the extra money in your budget and
excellent eyesight to view life as it is. You’ll also gain the spontaneity that
life has to offer because you can see clearly, naturally.
