LASIK vs Contacts for Improved Vision

 

If you’ve finally had enough of living with glasses, you’re probably considering one of the two primary treatment options for poor vision (i.e. LASIK surgery or contact lenses). Both treatments have their benefits (and drawbacks), however, LASIK is the option that’s experienced the most growth over the past few decades. 

Knowing which treatment option to choose mostly comes down to your medical history and personal preferences. Another obvious factor is how much each treatment costs. The main barrier stopping people with poor vision from getting LASIK is how much it costs (with an average surgery price of $1,500 to $3,000).

If you’re unsure of which treatment option is best for you, use the information we’ve researched and compiled below to help narrow your selection. We cover everything you need to know about both LASIK and contacts (e.g. price, recovery, effectiveness, etc.). Our LASIK vs contacts guide only uses up-to-date information from verified sources. 

LASIK Surgery 

When most people think of surgery, they think of some invasive procedure that has a direct (and negative) effect on the patient’s quality of life (in the short term). However, LASIK surgery is unique in this regard, because it only takes a short time for the eyes to heal from. 

LASIK is used to correct several different types of vision issues (i.e. all of the most common ones). The actual process that takes place during the surgery involves the surgeon altering the cornea so that light can properly reach the retina. 

Nearly all patients who undergo LASIK report better vision within 24 hours. This is one of the main reasons why this type of eye surgery has become so popular – it works and it works fast. 

How to Tell If LASIK is Right for You

LASIK surgery works wonders for thousands (if not millions) of people each year. However, it’s important to understand that not everyone is a good candidate for the surgery. The following list covers some of the (recommended) requirements for getting LASIK done. 

• The minimum age is 18 (because juvenile vision is constantly changing).
• Pregnant or nursing women are not eligible for LASIK. 
• Complications can occur with certain medications (e.g. Accutane).
• Your eyes should have no major problems (besides poor vision).
• You need to be healthy (in general – i.e. no major health problems).

If you’ve decided that LASIK is what you want, the next step would be finding a suitable surgeon. Any surgeon that you’re interested in using should have many years of experience in performing LASIK procedures (otherwise you risk complications during/after surgery).

Numerous complications could arise both during and after surgery. Many of these complications can be serious (e.g. blindness). This is a risk that many people are happy to take, and LASIK typically doesn’t cause any major complications (but they do happen, so the possibility does exist). 

Contacts

Contact lenses have been around for a while, and for people who used to rely on glasses to see properly, they have been a lifesaver (up until LASIK came around). While there’s no denying the popularity of LASIK, countless people also wear contacts.  Also, contacts typically need to be adjusted in order to provide the highest level of vision treatment/enhancement.

Someone might prefer to wear contacts because they don’t want to have surgery on their eyes (due to the possible complications that might arise), or they can’t afford the surgery, or they might just like wearing contacts. 

Types of Lenses

There are a few different types of contact lenses available on the market, and all of them are made from different materials and serve different purposes. There are contacts made specifically for daytime use, night-time use, and extended use (e.g. 30 days). 

Even though contact lenses have evolved since their introduction to the medical world, they still have some limitations. Namely, they need to be replaced (otherwise they can lead to complications which will make the wearer’s vision worse). Also, contact lenses typically need to be adjusted in order to provide the highest level of vision treatment/enhancement. 

Both LASIK and contact lenses are great choices for the treatment of common eye problems. Whatever your choice ends up being, remember that you should always consult with your eye doctor before making any final decisions. 

LASIK is popular, convenient, and relatively inexpensive. Contacts are cheaper than LASIK and have many customization options (which also makes them a convenient treatment type). Whatever you end up choosing, you’re living in one of the best times in modern history for vision treatment (so either treatment option is good).