Being shortsighted is expensive. Choosing a trendy designer-style frame with high-quality lenses can easily push the price into hundreds of pounds. And then a year or so later you have to buy yet another pair.
Contact lenses too are not cheap - if you choose high quality from a reputable optometrist, the annual cost can be similar. And even if you choose contact lenses as your solution you’ll need a backup pair of glasses.
Wouldn’t it be nice then, to be able to go to your optometrist and spend the money instead on a really cool pair of high-end shades?
Have you ever calculated how much money you’ll spend over your lifetime for being shortsighted? £500 a year is about average but you can spend less or even more.
From the age of 20 to 28, that’s £4000- the cost of laser correction. And you have another 60 years or so to go!
And what about the time cost? Let’s say you take 30 seconds to put your contacts in the morning and the same to remove them in the evening. That’s 1 minute a day every day.
365 minutes a year. 6 hours and 5 minutes a year every year all your life! What could you do in that time instead?
Now, look at how much plastic you are going to add to the ocean during a lifetime of contact lens wear.
Weighing The Pros And Cons
In the realm of vision correction, both contact lenses and laser eye treatments have emerged as popular options for individuals seeking clear and unobstructed sight. While each approach offers unique advantages, they also come with their share of considerations. This article explores the pros and cons of contact lenses and laser eye treatments, helping you make an informed decision about which path to choose for achieving optimal vision.
Contact Lenses: Convenience and Flexibility
Contact lenses have long been a go-to choice for those seeking vision correction without the permanent alteration of their eyes. Here are some of the key benefits of contact lenses:
1. Immediate Gratification
Contact lenses provide an immediate improvement in vision, allowing wearers to experience clear sight as soon as they are inserted.
2. Versatility
Contacts cater to various prescriptions, including astigmatism and multifocal needs, providing a versatile solution for different visual impairments.
3. Aesthetics
Many individuals prefer the aesthetic freedom of not needing to wear glasses, allowing them to showcase their natural facial features.
4. Sports and Activities
Contact lenses offer unparalleled freedom during physical activities, as they don't hinder peripheral vision or risk breaking.
5. Non-Surgical
Unlike laser eye treatments, wearing contact lenses doesn't require any surgical procedures or permanent changes to the eye's structure.
6. Changeable Styles
Coloured contact lenses let wearers experiment with eye colour, transforming their appearance for special occasions or everyday expressions.
However, contact lenses also have their downsides:
1. Maintenance
Contacts demand careful cleaning, proper storage, and consistent hygiene routines to avoid infections, irritation, or discomfort.
2. Ongoing Expenses
The cost of purchasing lenses, solutions, and cases over time can accumulate, making contacts an ongoing financial commitment.
3. Allergic Reactions
Some individuals may develop allergies to lens materials or cleaning solutions, leading to discomfort and irritation.
4. Discomfort
Long hours of lens wear can lead to dry eyes, discomfort, or even more serious conditions like corneal abrasions.
Laser Eye Treatment: A Permanent Solution
Laser eye treatments, including LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), are surgical procedures that reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. Here's why laser eye treatment is gaining popularity:
1. Permanent Results
Laser eye treatment aims for permanent correction of vision, freeing patients from the need for glasses or contacts.
2. Rapid Recovery
LASIK and PRK often result in quick recovery times, with improved vision usually within days after the procedure.
3. Reduced Long-Term Costs
While the initial cost of laser eye treatment may be higher, the long-term savings from not purchasing contact lenses or glasses can balance out expenses.
4. Enhanced Visual Clarity
Laser eye treatments offer the potential for sharper and clearer vision compared to some corrective lenses.
5. Reduced Allergy and Discomfort Risk
By eliminating the need for contacts, patients reduce the risk of allergies, dryness, and irritation associated with lens wear.
Laser eye treatments also present some considerations:
1. Surgical Procedure
Laser eye treatment involves surgery, which may not be suitable for everyone due to medical conditions, eye health, or personal preferences.
2. Short-Term Discomfort
Patients may experience temporary discomfort, dryness, or fluctuations in vision during the initial healing period.
3. Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, laser eye treatment carries potential risks and complications, though they are rare and often manageable.
4. Permanent Changes
The cornea's reshaping is irreversible, and while enhancements are possible, it's important to thoroughly discuss your desired outcome with a qualified eye surgeon.
Environmental Factors
Water companies are already complaining about the number of discarded contact lenses causing problems in our water treatment systems. The average weight of a contact lens is about 16 grams.
Approximately 50% of it is water, that leaves 8grms, that’s 16grms daily. That’s 116.8 Kg over a 20-year period. Or about your own body weight in plastic, every 10 years or so.
Oh and by the way, laser eye surgery takes just 27 seconds and lasts forever, uses 80grms of recyclable plastic, and with all the money you save you can enjoy going to your optometrist and choosing those really cool shades you’ve always admired.
A Modern Solution
Choosing between contact lenses and laser eye treatment ultimately hinges on individual preferences, lifestyle, and health considerations. Contact lenses offer flexibility and convenience, while laser eye treatment provides the allure of permanent vision correction. Consulting with a trusted eye care professional can help you navigate the decision-making process and determine which option aligns best with your needs and expectations. Whether you opt for the adaptability of contact lenses or the potential for lifelong clarity with laser eye treatment, the path to better vision is now more diverse and promising than ever before.
Are you ready to embrace life with crystal-clear vision and make an investment that pays dividends every single day? Look no further than My-iClinic's Laser Eye Surgery – a wise choice that goes beyond mere vision enhancement. Discover why laser eye surgery is not just an expenditure but a valuable investment in your well-being and lifestyle.
Find out more by Speaking to our team
