Contact lenses are very good at correcting vision while remaining discreet. Their initial investment is low and many people choose to use them every day. However, there are distinct disadvantages to using contact lenses versus getting LASIK. Here are 4 important things to consider when thinking about the future of your eye care.
1. Risk of Irritation.
Putting in contacts can be difficult, especially when just starting out. Even if properly applied, the lenses can be irritating to people with sensitive eyes, uncomfortable for others and can cause dry eye syndrome. While LASIK surgery has some complications associated with it, they are very rare.
Here in NYC, eye doctors often deal with complaints from contact lens users. In such a big city, it is not uncommon to experience contact lens irritation that is exacerbated by poor air quality. NYC eye doctors tend to recommend glasses or LASIK surgery as alternatives to contact lenses for this very reason.
2. Convenience.
Having to take your contacts out before going to bed, swimming, or playing sports can be tiresome and annoying. Contact lenses require daily special care and cleanliness in order to remain safe and effective. For some people, LASIK can remove this hassle, as well as the risk of losing your contacts. Losing your contact lenses is not only a common issue but can be dangerous in some cases. At the very least, it is a waste of time and money and can be very frustrating.
3. High Maintenance.
Contacts require daily cleaning or replacement. If you forget to remove them at night it can result in gritty, irritated eyes. If not maintained properly, they can even cause infection. LASIK surgery has a very short recovery time for most patients, and generally requires no maintenance aside from follow-up visits.
4. Not as Cost Effective as You Might Think.
While the initial cost of LASIK may seem steep for many, the actual cost of contacts over a few decades is greater than the surgery. The cost of your contact lenses (especially for daily wearers), eye examinations, contact lens accessories, and contact lens solution can get pretty pricey. If you were to get LASIK in your 30’s instead of contacts, you could end up saving well over $15,000 during your lifetime.
It is important to note that LASIK isn’t a guarantee that you’ll never have to wear contacts again. Every eye is unique and faces a different set of challenges. However, as stated earlier, almost all patients receive significantly improved vision, and sometimes the quality of vision can reach 20/20 or better. The only way to know if LASIK is the right choice is to talk to your NYC eye doctor.
To book a consultation with New York Eye Specialists, call 917-979-1111 or use our online scheduler! We look forward to hearing from you.
