What are the Pros and Cons of LASIK?
PROS:
Speed: LASIK takes about 20 minutes to complete, and you can go home the same day.
Quick healing: Most people start to see better almost immediately after surgery.
Reduced risk of infection from contacts: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says many contact lens wearers don’t take care of their devices as instructed, raising the risk of infection. After LASIK, you won’t need to wear contacts, eliminating this risk.
Permanence: During LASIK surgery, your eyes are reshaped to amend your vision. That change lasts forever.
Ease: LASIK means no looking for glasses when you need to drive, walk the dog, or get up in the middle of the night.
Potential cost savings: You may not need to buy contact cleaning fluid, new glasses, or other eye maintenance products.
Little pain: Patients don’t feel discomfort during surgery, and there’s very little pain in routine cases.
CONS
Potential side effects: Less than 1 percent of surgeries involve side effects. Side effects include hazy or blurry vision, trouble with night vision, sensitivity to light, itchiness or scratchiness in the eyes, dry eyes from less tear production, discomfort or pain, and glares, halos, or starbursts around light. Some side effects may become permanent, and they can be uncomfortable.
Continued use of glasses or contacts: If your vision is not properly corrected, you may need to continue wearing glasses or contacts until you can have a second surgery, called a retreatment or enhancement, to bring your vision up to normal.
Need for eye protection: Although your vision improves within a day, healing the corneal flap takes much longer. Any amount of trauma to that area, including accidentally rubbing your eyes, hitting your head, or jostling the eye during high-impact sports, can dislodge the flap and lead to more serious vision problems.
Changing vision requirements: If your eyes continue to change, even if you are within the standard age range, you may need LASIK again.
Finances: Cost is an issue. Your insurance may partially cover LASIK, but it is an elective procedure for nearly everyone, and it can be expensive.
Career: Some people’s jobs require that they do not undergo surgical procedures that could impact their vision even if they need corrective wear.
Ultimately, it's your eyes, and your choice whether you choose to get LASIK or not. We fully support our patients' decisions and are committed to the best outcomes possible.
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