For years, doctors and medical journals have praised the benefits of LASIK surgery. However, many people are still hesitant due to a lack of understanding about the procedure and its advanced technology. The upfront cost also discourages some from considering it. Yet, when comparing the lifetime costs of glasses and contacts, LASIK often proves to be a more economical choice.
**Initial LASIK Investment**
Despite economic uncertainty, investing in your health through procedures like LASIK can be financially smart. Compared to ongoing expenses for glasses and contacts, LASIK offers an impressive return on investment of over 866%, based on the average 2007 cost of $1,935 per eye reported by the FDA.
**LASIK vs. Glasses**
The yearly cost of eyeglasses is about $300 per eye. Over a lifetime, someone needing glasses until age 77 might spend at least $26,000. This makes LASIK a more cost-effective option, with a 540% return on investment.
**LASIK vs. Contacts**
Though contacts cost slightly less than glasses, the savings from LASIK are still substantial. Annual expenses include $125 for eye exams and a minimum of $50 for contacts, leading to a total cost advantage of around $680 when choosing LASIK. Additionally, LASIK saves time and money related to eye exams, work absences for appointments, and the waiting period for new glasses or contacts.
**Practical Benefits**
Many opt for LASIK to ditch glasses and contacts for good. Glasses users deal with constant wear and tear, while contact lens wearers often face fatigue or risks of eye infections due to hygiene lapses. Activities like swimming and sports also become problematic with glasses or contacts.
LASIK solves these issues by potentially providing lifelong clear vision without the need for corrective lenses. Though results vary, most patients see better than they did with glasses or contacts, enhancing their quality of life. The improvement might be hard to quantify, but the freedom from glasses and contacts significantly boosts self-esteem and enjoyment of various activities.
**Concerns about Errors**
Some people worry about the risk of errors with LASIK. Unlike glasses or contacts, which don’t directly harm overall health, a mistake during LASIK could reduce vision. However, today’s advanced LASIK technology maps out the procedure in detail beforehand, making it much safer and more accurate than in the past. With enhanced safety measures and reduced recovery time, LASIK is now a safe and convenient option for most patients.
**The Real Cost of LASIK**
Ultimately, LASIK offers a lifetime of clear vision without the need for supportive devices. Though the initial cost seems high, the long-term benefits far exceed those of glasses and contacts. Financially and in terms of quality of life, LASIK offers significant advantages.