Shelby Township
(586) 247-2020St. Clair Shores
(586) 774-2020Since the FDA approved it in 1999 after about 50 years of research, LASIK has changed the lives of millions. It is a solution to issues that affect people for a lifetime. People who dread prescription eyewear are the biggest beneficiaries of LASIK. Imagine never having to wake up and reach for your glasses or contacts.
The hassle of eyewear can be a thing of the past with LASIK. Sometimes, people consider the one-time cost to be too big. But with a few adjustments to your lifestyle, you will find you can afford it. Several benefits come with LASIK, but we will cover the long-term cost of not getting LASIK.
First, let us discuss what LASIK is and who is a candidate.
LASIK is a novel procedure that corrects most refractive eye errors like hyperopia, astigmatism, and myopia. Refractive errors are very common around the world. According to surveys, at least 30 percent of Americans have hyperopia or myopia. Meanwhile, every one in three people in the world struggles with astigmatism.
Most refractive errors are caused by a defect in the shape of the cornea or the whole eye. LASIK works by reshaping the cornea, and the results are almost immediate. The surgery is quick, lasting less than an hour. Patients report their vision improving and settling within two to three months. This period allows your eye to heal completely, and 90 percent of patients report near-perfect vision.
LASIK requires an initial amount to pay for the procedure, which may seem expensive. But if you analyze the benefits, you will find that in the long term, it is cost-effective.
Here are some of the things you will avoid if you get LASIK:
Eyewear is a big industry in the United States that makes billions for manufacturers. Most people who wear eyeglasses require replacements every year. Also, you may replace not only the lens but also the frames to keep up with the fashion at the time. You may also break the pair sometime during the year. The total cost of these glasses over ten years is more than that of LASIK.
If you wear contact lenses, you need to renew your lenses ever so often. It would be best if you keep replacing the cleaning fluid every time it runs out. Also, your prescription will change annually, meaning you will need an eye exam yearly. The total cost of these things will cost more over ten years than LASIK.
Some people prefer wearing contacts because they consider them simpler or safer. However, contacts expose you to eye infections and other conditions like dry eye. These conditions happen when you fail to follow instructions correctly. According to ophthalmologists’ estimates, most people do not follow instructions.
You must have eye exams often when you are on prescription eyewear. When you get LASIK, studies show that eight out of 10 people never need eyewear. It means they will not need an eye exam for a very long time.
For more on the long-term cost of not getting LASIK, visit Eastside Eye Physicians at our office in Shelby Township or St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Call (586) 247-2020 or (586) 774-2020 to book an appointment today.