If you’re someone who has experienced unclear vision, it’s likely that you have benefitted from contact lenses in the past. However, they are expensive and come with risks including infections and scarring. A recent study showed there was a 1 in 1000 risk of significant loss of vision with contact lenses, which is more than 10 times the same risk with LASIK that has been performed by an experienced surgeon.
LASIK is now one of the most popular eye surgeries throughout the United Kingdom and is used to correct near-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is typically painless, takes around give minutes and is conducted under local anaesthetic. It involves surgically creating a corneal flap which is folded back to allow the placement of laser therapy inside the cornea. It can, however, bring on dry eye and cause haloes for a few months. As with all surgeries, there are risks of infection, though this is unlikely.
LASIK surgery offers many benefits to patients. The shape of the cornea is permanently changed during surgery, which means light can reflect on the retina as it should do, and thus clearing all vision at all distances. Most patients who undergo LASIK will no longer have the need to rely on visual aids like glasses or contact lenses.
However, the biggest disadvantage of LASIK is purely the fact that it is a surgical procedure and should not be taken lightly. However, it is important for patients to understand that the surgery lasts less than a couple of minutes on each eye, and won’t be able to see what is happening during or feel any pain due to blackout and numbing eye drops.
Contact lenses are an ideal choice for those who want to improve their vision without wearing glasses and without undergoing any form of surgery. They are available clear or in a variety of colours for those who are interested in changing the colours of their eyes.
Many people find contact lenses uncomfortable to wear, particularly for those who have sensitive eyes or allergies. They also require an optimum amount of maintenance, including needing removing and reapplying every morning and night as well as cleaning with certain solutions. Contact lenses are also associated with more costs than the lenses themselves, including replacements, products and routine eye tests.
From a cost perspective, though LASIK is a higher upfront expense, it would substantially reduce costs over the long-term when compared to buying temporary contact lenses. As the price of spectacles also increases, the same could be true for patients who choose to wear glasses.
Mr Deepak Chitkara, the lead surgeon and founder of Viewpoint Vision, has an international reputation as a leader in the LASIK field. At Viewpoint Vision, we are committed to exceeding the average standard of care. Safety is of utmost importance to us and we take all measures to ensure our patients receive the highest quality of care available.
If you would like more information on LASIK or contact lenses, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Viewpoint Vision team today via our contact page or by calling 01744 646643.