Use and distribution of this article is subject to
our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author's information and copyright must be
included.
Contact Lenses or Lasik Surgery - Which is the
right choice for you?
by Peter Smithson
Contact lenses can get expensive, not to mention
the fact that you get tired of having to put them into and out of your
eyes every single day. With the advent of laser surgery in the last
decade, more and more people are discovering that they can have 20/20
vision (or better) without ever having to wear glasses again.
Laser surgery is expensive and it's not generally covered by insurance
because it's considered an elective procedure. Some insurance companies
will cover a very small portion, leaving a general cost somewhere
between $3000 and $4000 dollars. So immediately, it's a cash investment
of significant portion.
Many clinics do offer financial payment plans, but they are usually one
or two year plans that allow you to spread out the payments. This option
can still cost you about$180 to $400 per billing period, whether it is
by the month or quarter.
If the cost isn't something to turns the option off to you immediately,
it's good to weigh the facts. Everyone is a candidate for laser
corrective surgery. There are stages to the evaluation, including the
amount of correction obtainable by corrective eyewear, shape of the eye,
health of the eye, and condition of the eye.
Following the evaluation process, the specialist can determine which
type of laser surgery, if any, they would recommend.
The procedure is done as outpatient care. The eyes are anaesthetized and
held open. You'll feel some pressure when the laser surgery begins, and
you might even experience a few moments of blindness.
It is not uncommon for patients to experience blurriness for a day or
two following, but most patients notice an immediate (if not profound)
change in their vision when the surgery is over.
Laser surgery isn't a guarantee of correction. However, doctors, as well
as your own optometrist can never promise 20/20 vision at the surgery's
completion. You may still need some form of corrective lenses. Laser
surgery is a popular and viable alternative when compared to the
lifetime investment in the cost of new corrective eyewear every two or
three years.
Ultimately, the procedure is not a guaranteed. The decision to continue
with contact lenses or try laser corrective surgery is up to you and
your doctor. The surgery has proven successful for hundreds of patients,
but contact lenses are less expensive in the immediate time frames and
don't involve surgery or lasers. Check out your options. Consult your
optometrist and decide which option might be the best for you.
===========================================================
Discover important advice and information about contact lenses. Are soft
or hard best ? What's the best cleaning solutions ? For a comprehensive
guide,
www.contact-lenses-special.com
About the Author
Peter has worn contact lenses all his life. He's
tested
different types, and explored all alternatives. In this
series of articles he shares his advice and experiences.
