Most people who undergo LASIK surgery will have good to excellent vision in most situations, for many years or decades. The thought of having eye surgery and staying awake during it can be frightening, but the procedure is designed with safety in mind. Weighing the risks and benefits is essential before making a decision. For many, the possibility of improved vision and freedom from glasses or contact lenses makes LASIK eye surgery worth it.
The laser used in LASIK surgery is designed to turn off if the patient's eye makes any sudden movement that could cause an error or injury. This provides greater protection and peace of mind for those undergoing the procedure. People with a higher prescription before surgery are more likely to see a slight decline in vision quality over time, a condition known as myopic regression. However, more than 90% of people who are good candidates for LASIK achieve excellent vision without corrective lenses. The flaps that are created during LASIK surgery are not insured, so patients should not rub their eyes while they heal.
Any trauma to a flap (such as a puncture with a tree branch or a fingernail) could evict it even years after surgery. See your eye doctor immediately if such contact occurs. A person with dry eyes has a higher risk of significant discomfort after LASIK and of a possible worsening of dry eye symptoms. This is because they may have presbyopia, in which the lens of the eye stiffens and makes it difficult to see up close (LASIK alters the cornea, not the lens). Other conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, or cataracts, often affect Lasik results. Because insurance doesn't usually cover LASIK surgery, some people may choose to save and pay for it through a flexible spending account.
While improving vision alone makes LASIK eye surgery worthwhile, there are other surprising benefits of LASIK as well. Once you have LASIK surgery, you won't need to touch your eyes, which will reduce the risk of allergens coming into contact with your eyes. It should be noted that patients with extreme levels of myopia and corneal thinning, or keratoconus, may not be candidates for LASIK surgery. However, most adults with mild vision problems who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses will achieve better vision with LASIK surgery. Correcting vision once and for all is not only cheaper than spending money on eyeglasses or contact lenses that only improve vision when worn, but most patients agree that LASIK eye surgery is worth it, as it provides excellent vision that they don't have to think twice and that can be enjoyed for years to come. Many Lasik ads mislead people considering laser vision correction, as they often promise to stop wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
So you might be wondering, is LASIK worth it for you? There are a few things to consider before you decide to have LASIK surgery. Weighing the risks and benefits is essential before making a decision about LASIK eye surgery. For many people, the possibility of improved vision and freedom from glasses or contact lenses makes it worth it. More than 90% of people who are good candidates for LASIK achieve excellent vision without corrective lenses.
With proper care and precautions taken after the procedure, you can enjoy improved vision for many years or decades.
