Contact Lenses or Laser Surgery,maybe even colored contactsContact Lenses vs Laser SurgeryBoth the benefits and disadvantages of purchasing contact lenses versus having laser surgery can be boiled down to some simple suggestions. Any call made between getting contacts or laser surgery on your eyes should be made in talks with your eye care pro, naturally. But getting them to stand still long enough to reply to your queries could be a challenge. Here are some rules that may help you go in prepared. Cost is the 1st consideration for the majority, and it is a valid one. Whilst everybody rightly considers their health supreme, the general public won't look into the health hazards till they know if they can afford the options. But, they are comparatively low cost compared to laser surgery and are far more regularly covered by insurance programs. Two lenses may run anywhere from $20 to $100, but there are more expenses related to this option, including cleaning solution and doctor visits. Still, the total might be less than $200 every year, excluding the value of your time expended in the doctor's office. Laser surgery, in contrast, can cost anywhere from $2,000 per eye to $5,000 per eye. Include doctor visits and the total is about $4,500 to $11,000. On the upside, it's an one off cost and some insurance programs will help in part to offset it. The convenience factor concerned is no little matter to the general public, either. The idea of having one process that is ( sometimes ) painless, brief and reliable versus having to wear contacts for a lifetime is very attractive to many . Whilst contacts have developed significantly over time, they need daily to monthly changing and replacement each 2 to 3 years. Disposables are modified from each day to once per month. Still, the health hazards - whilst low for either option - shouldn't be discharged. But some patients do experience dry eye ( dropped capability to supply tears, leading to discomfort and reduced vision ). More frequently, though still extremely rare, patients report halos, reduced capability to see obviously in mist or lower light, and other issues that meddle with good vision. All contacts cut back the amount of air that gets to the outside of the eye. Modern RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses permit 5 times more oxygen thru than contact lenses of the past. But it is still not the same as wearing no contacts at all. Contacts can also lead to corneal or sclera scarring. Sclera is the comparatively hard surface tissue of the outer eye that protects the eyeball. That is rather more likely if a chunk of grit gets between the contact and eye. The overpowering majority of people come thru laser surgery with significantly improved vision. Almost everybody who wears contacts of any type daily, if extended wear or daily-wear, have no problems at all. They adjust fast, keep them clean and sanitary, and do not need to think about them during use. Look to your budget and consult your physician about the options, making sure to have a frank conversation about risks and likely benefits. You'll then arrive at the choice that's best for you. |