THE CONVENIENCE OF LASIK OVER CONTACT LENSES
There are many, many debates on the Internet about nearly everything under the sun, but one of the most important involves a sense that’s very precious to us: eyesight. Corrective lenses have existed for many years, but as technology progresses new options have been developed. Contact lenses are one of the most popular since they don’t affect the physical appearance of the wearer (unless they select lenses with different colors), but LASIK continues to change the field.
The Convenience of LASIK Surgery
The contact lens vs LASIK debate may have been settled thanks to recent studies on the risk of infection for contact lens wearers. Many eye doctors perceive LASIK to be riskier than traditional contact lenses, but the Casey Eye Institute’s findings seem to contradict this notion. Contact lens wearers have a 1 in 1,000 chance of being affected by a disease known as Acanthamoeba keratitis while LASIK patients only experienced a 1 in 1,250 chance of experiencing vision loss.
Some of the other considerations involve vision performance, convenience, and lifestyle. While contact lenses may correct your vision, they do not actively correct the source of the problem: the misshaped cornea. LASIK physically corrects your eye, treating the problem itself. Convenience is another matter – having to purchase contact solutions and lenses is never fun — not to mention pricey. You also have to arrange doctor’s appointments periodically to verify your current prescription, which consumes even more time and money.
Once again, comparing contact lenses vs LASIK has to account for environmental factors. Smoke and dryness can make contact lenses uncomfortable, and wearing them to the beach can be irritating if sand particles make their way in to your lens. At the end of the day, LASIK provides far more flexibility and effortless comfort.