Contact Lenses or LASIK Eye Surgery

Deciding Between Contact Lenses or LASIK Eye Surgery

After years of daily maintenance and spending hundreds on cleaning solutions, replacement lenses and annual eye examinations, those familiar with daily wear contact lenses are ready for change. And the timing couldn't be better. Thirty-day continuous wear contact lenses and LASIK eye surgery are viable alternatives. Which one is right for you? Consider the following:

Benefits of 30-day continuous wear contact lenses

Results are both immediate and guaranteed. The moment you insert the contact lenses, vision is better and if it's not or if the contact lenses feel uncomfortable, then you've somehow ended up with an incorrect prescription, something that's easy to remedy.

Costing less than what you pay for your coffee or other daily habit, these contact lenses are an option that's affordable. Plus, most 30-day contact lens brands are disposable so at the end of the wear cycle, you throw the pair away and put in a new pair. Doing so eliminates the need to constantly spend money replenishing cleaning solutions and other lens maintenance products. You should keep a bottle of cleanser handy but it will last quite a while.

Newer technology is another benefit. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are more efficient at letting oxygen into the eye, and that keeps eyes healthy and free of irritation.

Should an eye examination reveal the need for a different prescription, such as bifocal lenses, updating to the new prescription is easy.

Cons of 30-day continuous wear contact lenses

Even with the new technology, many people find it difficult to sleep with their contact lenses on. That for many is the determining factor for or against 30-day contact lenses.

The chances of developing an infection increase when contacts remain in place while sleeping.

Annual eye examinations are still required to keep the prescription valid.

Pros of LASIK eye surgery

Technology, training and experience have improved the success rates of LASIK eye surgery so those who undergo the procedure generally end up with eyesight that's even better than 20/20 with long-lasting results.

Customized LASIK surgery, which involves creating a multi-dimensional map of the cornea and then feeding the customized data into the laser, offers even higher rates of success.

Results are immediate with LASIK eye surgery and most patients see well enough to drive home from the procedure.

Cons of LASIK eye surgery

Cost is a big factor. With rates running approximately $2,000 per eye, LASIK eye surgery is a huge investment that's unaffordable for many, even though many surgeons offer financing.

Another consideration with LASIK eye surgery is that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. Any type of surgical procedure has risks and eye surgery is no different. There have been instances in which vision is not improved after surgery. Potential side effects include nighttime dry eyes, glare, seeing spots and the appearance of halos surrounding objects.

Some people are not good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. Eyes must be healthy and individuals should be in good overall health.

Eyeglasses may still be needed later in life, when presbyopia becomes an issue.

Regular eye examinations are still needed.