The minute David opened his eyes after LASIK surgery, he knew his life would be dramatically different. In the days and weeks that followed his surgery, he realized LASIK offered additional advantages he didn’t consider. He shared his thoughts about some of the surgery’s hidden benefits.
Cost Savings
“I knew LASIK would be a financial investment, but I didn’t realize the money I could save in the long run,” David said. “I looked at what I was spending on glasses, contacts and solutions each year – money I didn’t need to spend anymore – and realized the one-time cost of LASIK would eliminate those costs and save me money.”
David is not alone. Although there is an initial cost outlay for LASIK, yearly costs for disposable contacts, glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact supplies can add up to nearly $1,000, according to a study by the Eye Surgery Education Council. Over time, eliminating these costs can save you a significant amount of money.
Lens-Free Life
“It took me a while to get used to waking up and being able to see clearly,” David said. “We have a 6-month-old, and when I get out of bed to change or feed her in the middle of the night I used to have to grab my glasses. Now, it’s so much easier to get up and help with the baby.” David also said he’s getting more out of his daily activities since he had LASIK.
“It seems obvious, but think of some of the moments you’ve missed because you haven’t had your glasses and contacts on. That’s the true benefit of LASIK for me – being able to see things happen, not miss them.”
Many LASIK patients have similar experiences. Let’s face it — wearing glasses or contacts isn’t always convenient or easy. Glasses can slow you down when you need to do something in the middle of the night (like soothe a child) or when you are doing something that isn’t easy without glasses.
“Some of my patients choose LASIK because their jobs require optimal vision. I think LASIK is a good choice for those who want to get more out of their vision than glasses or contact lenses can provide,” said Joseph Thomas, M.D., a LASIK doctor based in Columbus, OH.
For David, having LASIK allowed him to pick up a new hobby.
“I am now able to play sports that used to be difficult because of my vision,” David said. “I’ve joined a recreational hockey league – something I wouldn’t have dreamed about if I still had to wear glasses.”
Correcting Astigmatism
David didn’t think he was a candidate for LASIK because of his astigmatism. “I was surprised when I went in for my initial screening and the doctor said I could have the procedure.”
LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism – a refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea. Your LASIK doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
The above are just some of the benefits you can experience with LASIK. But like any medical procedure, results can vary. For David, the expected – and surprising – benefits from LASIK make him a satisfied patient. “I have no regrets. In fact, I wonder why I didn’t do this earlier. If you’re struggling because of your vision problems, you’ve got to take a look at LASIK. It truly changed my life!”