What Are the Advantages of LASIK Over Contact Lenses?

April 26th, 2022

You likely felt a sense of freedom when you first made the switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses. This newfound freedom allowed you to participate in sports and other activities without the fear that your glasses would break. 

It may have even given you more self-confidence. However, contact lenses have hassles of their own.

If you are growing tired of depending on contact lenses or glasses to be able to see, it may be time to consider LASIK surgery. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of LASIK over contact lenses!

What is LASIK?   

LASIK is a permanent vision correction procedure that aims to improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During this quick in-office procedure, your cornea, the clear surface of your eye, is reshaped using a special laser.

In order to have LASIK, you have to first qualify as a candidate for the procedure. To determine if you are a candidate, you must schedule a LASIK consultation with your eye doctor.

At this consultation, your eye doctor will take various measurements and thoroughly examine your eyes. One of these measurements is the depth of your cornea.

You must have a thick enough cornea to allow for the creation of a corneal flap needed during the procedure. Various other factors will also help determine whether or not you are a candidate for LASIK. 

Hassles of Contact Lenses  

If you’ve worn contact lenses for years, you already know how much of a burden they can be. Do you have days where you cannot wear them and have to dig out your eyeglasses instead? 

Especially if you suffer from allergies, there will be days when your eyes will water excessively, making it challenging to wear them. There may be other days when your eyes feel dry and itchy.

The contacts interfere with your eye’s natural lubrication and can cause your dry eye or allergy symptoms to worsen. When this happens, you have no choice but to remove them and put on your eyeglasses.

Have you ever had an eye infection from your contact lens? Eye infections can happen for many different reasons.

You can get an eye infection from improper cleaning or storing your contacts, or not washing your hands thoroughly before touching your contact. You can also get an eye infection from forgetting to remove your contacts before sleep.

Also, when you wear contact lenses, you frequently have to schedule eye appointments to get a renewed prescription. This means spending more money. 

If you factor in your cost for a lifetime supply of contact lenses against the one-time cost of LASIK, you may notice it’s an investment that will pay off over time.

Why You Should Consider Getting LASIK  

LASIK will improve your vision so that you can significantly reduce your dependence on contacts and glasses. It can also save you money and eye irritation. 

First, imagine not purchasing new contacts, cleaning solutions, and lens cases. Then add in the saved expense of not having to go to the eye doctor as frequently.

Once you’ve had LASIK, you will no longer need to spend money on those things. You will also likely have fewer headaches, eye infections, and other eye irritations. 

After LASIK, you can get up in the morning and see clearly without struggling to locate your contacts or glasses. There are many benefits to choosing LASIK, but arguably the best benefit is the freedom and improved quality of life it provides.

Do you want to learn if you would be a candidate for the LASIK procedure? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!