Pros and Cons of Lasik
No one enjoys struggling with contact lenses every morning, or dealing with the expense of broken eyeglasses. If you are looking for a permanent solution to replace these, you may be considering Lasik Eye Surgery. This procedure is a quick, permanent option that can replace your need for distance lenses and save you money over time. Here are some things to consider when making your decision.
Cost
While the initial cost of the procedure ranges from $2500-$4500, the procedure eliminates the need for annual visits to the optometrist. Over time, the procedure can pay for itself, since you won't need contact lenses, eyeglasses, doctor visits, etc. However, we don't recommend that you skimp on the cost, but do your research and find a reputable surgeon to entrust your eyesight to.
Convenience
After several days of recovery, you will generally be maintenance free! No need to remember to remove contact lenses every night, or keep those glasses clean. Besides the occasional need for eye drops, no further work is required to keep your vision perfect.
Discomfort
No discussion of the Lasik procedure would be complete without mentioning the discomfort involved with the surgery. Many surgeons will provide a calming medication prior to the procedure, which will help reduce anxiety. You will feel no pain during the process, but will feel pressure for a very short period of time while they work on each eye. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes in total.
Following the procedure, your eyes will feel scratchy and you'll want to sleep in a darkened room for the rest of the day. You can take Tylenol or Tylenol PM to help with this, but ask your doctor if they have other recommendations. By the next day, you should be feeling fairly normal! You'll notice your vision is perfect by the next day as well.
Long Term Concerns
When you read the disclaimers for Lasik surgery, you'll see that 'halos' around lights at night are the most common. Generally, this will improve over time, but occasionally it can persist. Another common side-effect is dryness. You'll need to use special eye drops for about a month, but for most people the need for eye drops decreases or stops completely. However, persistent dryness can happen and you may need to use drops long term.
Lasik eye surgery can be a convenient, permanent option to improve your distance vision. Do your research, find a reputable surgeon, and enjoy your perfect vision for years to come!
Do Your Research
When Lasik Surgery fails or doctors make mistakes, catastrophic eye damage can occur. Remember, everyone is not a candidate for Lasik or Laser Surgery. The FDA claims that while it has authority to regulate the sale and use of medical devices such as the lasers used in Lasik surgery, it does not have the authority to regulate a doctor's practice. Make sure you research the doctor, and if something goes wrong, make sure you seek legal advice from an experienced eye surgery malpractice attorney.
One of our clients' Lasik eye surgery was supposed to solve vision problems but resulted in permanent vision impairment instead. Problems resulting from vision issues were compounded by his profession as a rare gem dealer. We settled the case against his doctor for $700,000. Learn more...
Our New York City eye surgery malpractice attorneys have handled numerous surgical error cases and are highly skilled in handling medical malpractice claims. Contact us for a no-charge consultation regarding your potential laser or Lasik eye injury case.
