Is LASIK Eye Surgery Right For You?

If you look at statistics from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery you'll find that just 5% of all people that have lasik eye surgery are dissatisfied with the results. This seems pretty darn good to me, especially after wearing glasses and contacts for the past 35 years.

I've often considered lasik eye surgery and as I get older and the technology improves, lasik looks more and more appealing. The idea of no more contact lenses or glasses is extremely appealing, especially since there are some situations like sports and swimming where they are a hindrance. I can just imagine waking in the morning, opening my eye and actually being able to see more than three feet in front of me. In the past lasik eye surgery was less reliable and more expensive, but now it seems like the time may be right.

What needs to be considered are the pros and cons of lasik as well as the cost of the eye surgery.
The obvious pro is that you'll have perfect vision, perhaps for the first time in your life. You'll no longer need to depend on contacts and glasses to see. Another advantage is that lasik surgery is pain free and for most the recovery is fast. There is also very little risk of infection with lasik since the surgery is performed with lasers, especially if you have IntraLase bladeless lasik.

While there are few disadvantages, if you're one of the 5% that is dissatisfied with your lasik surgery the disadvantages will become huge. While recovery from lasik eye surgery is quick for most people, some heal more slowly than others. It is possible to have to wait several months for your vision to be completely perfect. This is only a disadvantage in that you may need patience before your vision is completely corrected. A worse disadvantage is for those for whom lasik has complications. These complications can range from problems with halos and glaring to night vision to worse vision after the surgery. In most cases these complications go away by themselves, but for some additional surgery may be required. And for a very few unlucky people lasik eye surgery may actually make their vision worse and there will be no way to correct this.

When looking a lasik surgery prices you'll find that they differ from doctor to doctor and clinic to clinic. This is why it makes sense to shop around and get quotes from several doctors. While prices may be similar, you could save several hundred dollars by shopping around. Also, don't believe the advertisements for super cheap lasik, in most cases these prices don't include everything and you'll end up paying much more. The typical "average" price for lasik eye surgery seems to be around $1500 per eye.

Finally, you'll find that lasik eye surgery is usually not covered by insurance because it is considered cosmetic surgery. You may however be able to get a discount from the laser eye surgery center so don't be afraid to ask during your consultation.