Pros and Cons of LASIK Eye Surgery

If you are like most patients who think about having LASIK, you consider all the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery before making your decision. Surgery on your eyes is fairly significant stuff, so it would be wise to spend a little more time than say…picking out a new car or choosing the latest smartphone. So don’t rush into LASIK without weighing all the facts.

What follows is a fair and balanced look at the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery.

The Fear Factor

Pros:

The proverbial “elephant in the room” is fear, so let’s start here. It is just a fact of life that everyone will be a little fearful when having surgery. Relax in the knowledge that there is less than a 1% chance that you will experience a vision reducing complication.

There is no pain during surgery! Numbing drops are given prior to the procedure so the most you will feel is a brief bit of pressure.

You don’t have to worry about negatively affecting your results by blinking or moving during the procedure. A painless eyelid holder will prevent you from blinking. Your only “job” is to focus on a blinking light.

In addition, there is an eye tracker within the laser which follows even your most minuscule eye movements. Should you move too much, the laser will stop, and the procedure will continue from the exact moment it stopped.

Cons:

If you are particularly anxious, discuss this with our team of eye professionals. We will do everything possible to make this day a happy and relaxing one including administering a mild sedative.

Motivational Factors

Pros:

Are you ready to wake up and see the world without your glasses or contacts? That would certainly rank up there as a good reason to have LASIK. You will no longer have restrictions in your lifestyle, your hobbies or profession.

Life outdoors during allergy seasons will be more enjoyable minus your contact lenses.

You probably will see even better after LASIK than you ever did with your glasses or contact lenses.

Cons:

There are instances where you may need to wear glasses for certain activities like reading. Be sure to ask questions, and get a straight answer so you can make an informed decision.

Safety and Risk Factors

Pros:

LASIK is a safe and efficient way to correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Find an experienced LASIK surgeon, have a thorough LASIK evaluation and look for only the most advanced technology. Those three steps increase your odds of having great results.

The iLASIK femtosecond laser combined with the AMO-Visx excimer laser is the very same technology approved for astronauts, navy pilots, and for all first responders.

Although LASIK is the most popular elective eye surgery in the world, not everyone is a good candidate. Be sure to have a thorough evaluation, get a written list of the risks and complications, and be proactive in asking questions.

Cons:

LASIK is surgery so no one can promise perfect vision.

There will be some short-lived visual issues like halos, glare and dry eyes, but they will diminish with time. It is a good idea to have your eyes evaluated for severe dryness prior to having LASIK. In some cases your dry eye issues can be exacerbated.

There is a possibility you will need a re-treatment to tweak your results should you be over or under corrected.

The Cost Factor

Pros:

The good news is you have financing options to make LASIK more affordable today.

Patients can utilize their FSA or Flexible Spending Account to pay for LASIK and save money on their taxes at the same time.

In the long term, having LASIK surgery can actually save money compared with decades of buying new glasses, contact lenses, doctor visits and all the paraphernalia that goes with wearing contact lenses.

LASIK is a real investment in your future vision.

Cons:

Insurance plans do not cover LASIK so the cost is all out-of-pocket.

Do Your Homework

Review and thoughtfully consider all the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery before making your decision.

• Are you motivated to improve your vision?
• Have you found an experienced LASIK surgeon?
• Don’t settle for anything less than an extensive LASIK evaluation to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK.
• Be sure you will be treated with the most advanced technology like blade free LASIK surgery.

Have more questions? Call 512.259.2020

Come for a free LASIK evaluation at Cedar Park Vision.