As the campaign about laser eye surgery is getting more widespread, it’s okay to reach out to your doctor to make propositions on how to restore your impaired vision going through the procedure. No one can deny the sweet feeling of spending the whole day outdoors without needing to wear eyeglasses all along.
How about spending extra hours inserting contact lenses before setting out for the day and the stress involved in removing the lens before bedtime? No doubt, one would easily choose laser eye surgery that can help you enjoy work and leisure with the sharpest vision possible.
It is a fact that laser eye surgery provides people with a lasting vision solution within the shortest time possible. But, is it the best pick for you?
In the medical world, it is not ideal to choose a corrective measure just because of its efficacies. Instead, having a detailed discussion with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and professional recommendations is reasonable.
To help you decide whether the laser procedure is the best option for you or not, we’ve helped you to compile the top pros and cons to make an informed decision. This write-up aims to allow you to measure the risks and gains to decide whether the surgery is worth the cost.
The Pros of Laser Eye Surgery
1. It is safe and quick
All things being equal, laser eye surgery doesn’t take up to 30 minutes. You might return in 15 minutes or less if you hire an expert. Usually, the actual time for the surgery is just a few minutes. The remaining time is for the necessary preparation and setup.
Also, laser eye surgery is a very safe procedure. Patients return home with sharper and clear vision without sustaining any facial injury. Your doctor may keep you awake throughout the entire surgery. But, they would have administered nerve-calming medications to keep you relaxed throughout the procedure. You don’t have any reason to fret. The laser will shut off automatically if there’s any sudden movement in your eye. That safety mechanism helps prevent error and injury.
2. Quick result
Laser eye surgery provides the expected result within the shortest time possible. Typically, it is sure that you experience up to 20/25 vision within the first 24 hours. Of course, you might have to deal with some minor issues immediately after you stand up from the couch. However, your vision becomes healed gradually but quickly.
If everything goes well as planned, you can resume your work after 48 hours of rest. Suppose you compare that short recovery period with the long corrective period of eyeglasses. In that case, you already know which option to choose. Meanwhile, you may have a slight delay and experience minor pain during recovery. But, everything will get better after a few days of on-time medications.
3. It is cost-effective
Aside from the fact that laser eye surgery saves time, it saves money. Interestingly, most people quickly opt for eyeglasses or contact lenses because the two visual corrective options come with a cheaper initial cost. But, they are both far more expensive than laser eye surgery in the long run.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses require constant maintenance routines. Not only that, you can use either of the two options for a lifetime. That means there is a need to replace them with new ones at intervals which attracts extra costs. Suppose you add up the recurring maintenance, repair, and replacement expenses in the space of 10-20 years. In that case, you will discover that you have spent far more than the one-time cost of laser eye surgery.
Laser eye surgery doesn’t require any recurring maintenance or replacement expenses. Once your vision heals, you can keep enjoying the sharpest sight of your life till old age.
4. Convenience
To prevent poor vision from hindering them from performing at the top level in different fields of endeavor, people with vision impediments opt for eyeglasses to make visual corrections. And, that brings a whole lot of inconveniences.
Many people who have undergone laser eye surgery have different success stories about how their lives have become more comfortable after the procedure. Indeed life after laser eye surgery is better.
Laser eye surgery provides numerous flashy benefits that can make it better than other options to restore impaired vision. Yet, specific cons can cause you to decline immediately. Let’s make a list.
Cons of laser eye surgery
1. It is not suitable for everyone
Not everyone can enroll for laser eye surgery. Even if you struggle with the most severe vision infections, you might not be a good candidate for the procedure. That’s one of the reasons we advise you to have a detailed discussion with your healthcare provider to have professional recommendations and prescriptions. There are some general criteria to be eligible for laser eye surgery. Before your doctor recommends the procedure, you must:
- Be 18 years and above
- Have think cornea
- Not be pregnant or breastfeeding (for women)
- Be within the prescription range
- Have a detailed report of your health history
- Not have any eye infection
- Be healthy
2. It comes with possible side effects
In rare cases, people develop different health complications after laser eye surgery. For some, they may have to struggle with dry eyes for as long as three months. Some other side effects of laser eye surgery may include glare or halos, night blindness, color blindness, astigmatism, and more. Generally, these side effects can heal with aftercare medications. However, they are permanent in rare cases. Laser eye surgery can limit your day-to-day performance and restrict you from enjoying your routine activities.
Finally
Laser eye surgery can be your one-time opportunity to have perfect vision all your life. Though, there are possible complications that may arise during the recovery period. You will only have to cope with the changes for a short time and later forget they have ever been.
Indeed, the above pros and cons will help you decide whether you are a good candidate for laser surgery or not. Yet, it is essential that you allow your eye doctor to make the final verdict.
