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What is Best: Contact Lenses or LASIK Eye Surgery?

Being a contact lens wearer can be quite a hassle. You have to buy, maintain and replace your contacts plus have annual eye tests. If you're looking for an alternative you may find that either a 30-day contact lens is the solution or you may find that corrective eye surgery is the only way forward. Although both methods are great, they also have some disadvantages. So make sure you understand the pros and cons of each before you make a decision.

Advantages of 30-day Continuous Wear Contact Lenses

Quick - You will notice an improvement in your vision the moment you place the contacts in. If you find them at all uncomfortable it's probably because you've been given the wrong prescription. All you have to do to rectify the problem is to go back to your optician.

Low Cost - These lenses do not cost a fortune and there's no need to take out a loan to finance them. When you have worn them for 30 days all you have to do is dispose of them and buy new ones. This means you won't have to have so much in the way of cleaning products. However it's still recommended that you keep a bottle of cleaner to hand.

New Technology - The silicone hydrogel which is used to make these lenses are much more efficient at allowing oxygen into the eye. Your eyes will stay much healthier and irritation-free.

If a recent eye examination shows you need to change your prescription this is a very easy process.

Disadvantages of 30-day Continuous Wear Contact Lenses

Even though technology has come a long way, you may find that sleeping with your contact lenses in is a bit uncomfortable. If this is the case they may not be the best choice. You also have an increased chance of getting an infection if lenses are worn while you sleep.

Because your eyes can change over the years it's strongly advisable to keep going for annual eye examinations to make sure your prescription is still valid.

Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery

Success rates are now very high for LASIK operations. Technology, training and experience have improved a great deal over the years. In most cases people completely restore their vision to 20/20 or even better. The results are also long-lasting.

The results you get from LASIK are pretty much immediate and a lot of patients can drive home after the operation.

Disadvantages of LASIK eye surgery

Costs are significant with surgery. It costs generally around $2,000 an eye so you may have to take out a loan. Talk to your surgeon to see if there are any financing options available.

Like any other surgery, LASIK is not guaranteed and mistakes can, and sometimes do, happen. Some patients don't see improvements or suffer side effects such as the appearance of spots, glare and dry eyes.

Also some people aren't eligible for surgery because the health of their eyes aren't up to scratch or they are generally not in good health.

Although surgery is long lasting, you may still need to wear prescription glasses in years to come as presbyopia becomes an issue.

Also make sure you attend regular eye examinations.