LASIK: Benefits, Cost, and Recovery

LASIK laser vision correction is one of the most popular elective surgeries in the United States. This procedure uses cutting-edge laser technology to reshape the surface of the eye so that light is refracted properly onto the retina, enabling the patient to see more clearly. It can be used to correct the vision of patients with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of LASIK, what you can expect to pay, and how long it will take you to recover.

What Are The Benefits Of LASIK?

There are many different benefits associated with LASIK laser vision correction. Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons why countless people every year choose this life-changing procedure.

Improved Vision

Unsurprisingly, the primary reason anyone gets LASIK is that they want to be able to see more clearly. Research suggests that as many as 99% of patients can achieve better than 20/40 vision, and up to 90% reach 20/20 vision or better. As a result, most patients find that they can severely reduce or even eliminate their need for prescription eyewear following their surgery.

Greater Convenience

Although both glasses and contact lenses are highly effective, they aren’t without limitations. Glasses are fragile, need to be remembered to be taken with you, and can fog up in bad weather. You also can’t wear them when participating in certain sports and activities. And let’s not forget that some people simply don’t like their appearance when wearing them.

Contact lenses do offer some greater versatility, but some types need to be left in a cleaning solution overnight and have to be handled carefully, they can be fiddly to put in and remove, and some people find that they can’t wear them when their allergies are bad, or they have a cold. You can’t wear them when swimming either!

By getting LASIK laser eye surgery, all of these problems are virtually eliminated, and you will be able to enjoy enhanced vision with little or no need for prescription eyewear.

A Simple, Safe Surgery With Quick Recovery

Many people worry about the prospect of laser eye surgery, but LASIK is extremely safe and straightforward when carried out by trained, experienced surgeons. After all, there’s a reason why millions of people have chosen this procedure! The entire procedure is performed using a local anesthetic, meaning it’s painless, and most patients recover in just a few days.

Save Money

Yes really! The costs associated with changing prescriptions, eyeglasses maintenance and more can quickly add up. Not everyone can afford the unpredictability of sudden expenses due to needing to fix their glasses or change the lenses for a different strength. Although there is no guarantee that you won’t need prescription eyewear at all after LASIK, nearly all patients find that they no longer need to spend anywhere near as much, if at all. Ultimately, LASIK can save you money in the long term and is an excellent investment in your long-term vision. The exact cost of LASIK can vary between providers, but most patients can expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 per eye.

Recovery After LASIK

One thing that people love about LASIK is how little time it takes them to start enjoying their new, clearer vision. The initial recovery period after LASIK is usually less than 12 hours. This is the time that it will take for the anesthetic to completely wear off and for your eyes to start the healing process. This is where the epithelial flap that was used to perform the procedure is replaced and begins to reattach to the remaining epithelium.

Most patients will be able to see clearly after 24 hours following their procedure, but the eyes will continue to heal, and your vision may continue to improve for up to five days.

If you have additional questions about LASIK, visit Reed Optical in Sunapee or Claremont. Call (603) 543-3125 to schedule an appointment today.