The Pros and Cons Of Laser Eye Surgery – What Are The Benefits?

A few years ago, I was playing a game of Monopoly on the xBox with my family. I immediately noticed that I couldn’t read the numbers on the TV screen, which as you can imagine, made the game quite difficult. After about 10 minutes of straining to see the screen, I developed a nasty headache. So off to the opticians I went, only to discover that I needed glasses because I was short-sighted. At first, I didn’t mind wearing glasses. I kind of liked choosing my frames, but after a few years of losing, breaking, and constantly cleaning my glasses, I have been trying to save up for laser eye surgery. Before I started my savings pot, I did a lot of research as I wanted to know the pros and cons of laser eye surgery. There’s a lot to read up on, so I’ve decided to summarise all the details in one article to save others some research time.

So if you’re interested in getting laser eye surgery and want to know more about the procedure, the cost, and what the benefits are – this is the post for you. 

What Is Laser Eye Surgery?

First and foremost, let’s talk about what laser eye surgery does. Laser eye surgery is a common procedure used to correct problems with your eyesight. It can be offered on the NHS if your eye health meets a certain criteria, however, it is mostly only available to private patients. 

The reason many people need to wear glasses or contact lenses is due to imperfections on the cornea – this prevents the eye from focusing effectively. Laser eye surgery uses precision laser treatments to smooth out these irregularities, leaving you with perfect vision.

How is Laser Eye Surgery Performed?

When opting to use the laser eye surgery treatment, you will attend a meeting with a consultant – this is usually around half an hour long. During this consultation, the specialist will take you through all the usual bits of information regarding the procedure. The exact way in which the procedure is carried out is likely to differ from practice to practice, and also differ depending on what specific treatment you’re having. However, for the most part, you will be given either a local anaesthetic in your eye, or a general anaesthetic. Then a laser will be used to alter the shape of your cornea, smoothing out any imperfections that affect your vision. You will be able to return home on the same day as your treatment and be given some aftercare instructions to follow.

Who Does Laser Eye Surgery Work For? 

It’s likely that you’ll have questions regarding your specific eye health concerns, and many people want to know ‘can laser eye surgery fix astigmatism?’ or ‘can laser eye surgery fix my short-sightedness?’. There are many varieties of laser eye surgery that can improve your eye health – the type that will be best suited to you will depend on your condition, your age, and your overall eye health.

If you require eye surgery to fix eyesight issues such as astigmatism, short-sightedness (myopia) or long-sightedness, laser eye surgery could definitely work for you. 

It’s also possible to have laser eye surgery to treat eye conditions that can lead to a loss of vision, such as diabetic retinopathy, complications after cataract surgery, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. 

What Are The Pros and Cons of Laser Eye Surgery?

Getting laser eye surgery is a big financial investment, so before booking a consultation, it’s critical that you make a list of pros and cons in order to determine whether it’s the best course of action for you. 

Pros Of Getting Laser Eye Surgery

• Improved Vision. Obviously, the biggest pro of getting laser eye surgery is the improvement in your eyesight! Most people who undergo laser eye surgery are left with 20/20 vision.
• No More Glasses Or Contacts. With laser eye surgery, you eliminate the need for corrective eyewear, which can result in a long-term financial saving, as well as making life a little easier. 
• Quick recovery time. Most patients are able to resume their normal routines within 48 hours. Patients report an improvement in their vision between a few hours and a few days after treatment. 
• One-Time Treatment. Once you’ve had corrective laser eye surgery, you are good to go! The treatment is permanent and you will not need to invest in the surgery again.

Cons Of Getting Laser Eye Surgery

• The Cost. Many people’s first question when considering private laser eye surgery is, “what does laser eye surgery cost?”. It’s a fair question to ask as private health care can be very expensive. One of the cons to getting laser eye surgery is, unfortunately, the cost of the procedure, which varies from practice to practice and also for the types of treatment required. Typically, you can expect prices to start at around £1,500 for one eye. 
• Lazy Eyes. Unfortunately, laser eye surgery cannot usually fix lazy eyes. This is because lazy eyes are a neurological condition, rather than a problem with your eye health. 
• Side Effects & Risks. As with all medical treatments, there is always the chance of experiencing uncomfortable side effects or complications during the procedure. Your specialist will go through all the potential risks involved with you before you receive treatment. 
• Follow Ups. After receiving treatment, it’s likely that you’re going to have to attend follow-up consultations to ensure that your eye health remains in tip-top condition.

Additional Benefits Laser Eye Surgery May Present

The benefits of laser eye surgery exceed just your physical wellness – it can also have a positive impact on your mental health and well-being.

• Confidence and Self-Esteem. Laser eye surgery corrects your vision, thus eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. I, for one, personally hate how I look when wearing glasses and find that running out or losing contact lenses causes me far too much stress. I also hate having to remember to book optician appointments, try to find a time that suits me, and splash out on new glasses. I’d feel much more comfortable in my own skin if I no longer needed to wear glasses.
• Outdoor Activities and Sports. Running, hiking, swimming, white water rafting…all of these are a pain to do when wearing glasses! In fact, in my experience, any outdoor or sporting activity that involves even a splodge of mud or water is made twice as hard when you wear glasses or contacts. Getting laser eye surgery eliminates these inconveniences and allows you to live life to the fullest.
• Forgot Your Glasses/Contacts? I’ve been there a thousand times. There’s nothing worse than forgetting your glasses, especially if you wear them all day. The headaches that I get when I don’t wear my glasses are horrible, and I’d love to simply not have to worry about grabbing them as I run out of the door/head to stay somewhere else for the night.

As you can see, there’s a pretty substantial list of benefits that come with opting for laser eye surgery. The only real con is the cost, however considering the advanced technology used, plus the financial savings accrued over the years from not buying glasses and contacts, I think it evens the cost out quite nicely. 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Laser Eye Surgery:

Didn’t find what you needed in the article? Here are a few more of the most frequently asked questions surrounding laser eye surgery, and their answers. 

Can laser eye surgery go wrong?

As with all medical procedures, there are risks involved. Laser eye surgery can go wrong, but complications are extremely rare.

Will laser eye surgery last forever?

Yes, once you’ve had your eyes corrected, you will have permanently improved vision. 

Will laser eye surgery hurt?

During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain as your eyes are numbed with anesthetic. During the healing process, you may experience some discomfort, but this doesn’t last long.

Who can’t get laser eye surgery? 

There are some people who will not be able to get laser eye surgery. If you’re pregnant, under 18, on certain medications, or have specific medical conditions, you will not be able to receive laser eye surgery. 

Everything You Need To Know About Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is a revolutionary treatment that can truly change lives. If you are considering getting laser eye surgery, I suggest you do your own research as well as take on board the information in this article. Be sure to talk to your specialist about any concerns or fears you may have, and remember to follow the aftercare advice afterwards. 

Have you ever had laser eye surgery? I’d be very interested in hearing more about the procedure and your own experience, so please let me know how it went for you in the comment section below.