Is LASIK Worth It

When it comes to vision correction, you may have many options in front of you. Patients often choose between glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery (LASIK). At ICON Eyecare, we understand that choosing the right solution requires careful thought. Weighing costs and benefits can be an important part of the process, especially if eye care costs are a concern.

Glasses and contact lenses are a traditional selection; however, hefty eyewear costs add up over the years. LASIK surgery’s one-time fee and permanent results are actually more cost effective in the long run. The cost-effectiveness of LASIK and the long list of benefits may make it the best option for you.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK is a type of eye surgery correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. These vision problems stem from cornea and lens shape abnormalities, causing light to bend improperly or incorrectly through the eye. It results in blurry or distorted vision treatable with LASIK eye surgery.

Our ICON eye surgeons use small, precise lasers to reshape your cornea, allowing light to refract appropriately in the eye. As a result, you gain crystal clear vision, sharp images, and better focus. It reduces or eliminates reliance on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Benefits of LASIK

When you come to ICON Eyecare for a LASIK procedure, you can experience the full range of available benefits. The most popular reasons to invest in laser eye surgery include the following:

Better Vision

Laser eye surgery offers significantly improved vision. Our eye care professionals take advantage of the most advanced technology, the Wavelight Contoura suite, to take a detailed map of your eyes. During your procedure, the precise topography guides lasers for fully customized results. Since LASIK surgery accounts for small characteristics, your vision correction is accurate. No wonder LASIK has a high patient satisfaction rate, at 95.4%. In comparison, glasses result in 62.2% and contact lenses provide 83% satisfaction.

Long Lasting Results

LASIK offers permanent vision correction for myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Over the course of a lifetime, eyes may naturally undergo significant changes that can call for enhancement surgeries. These procedures are quick, follow-up laser treatments. At ICON Eyecare, we are pleased to offer any necessary enhancements completely free of charge if we perform the original LASIK surgery. In this way, you can continue to enjoy excellent vision throughout your life. In contrast, glasses and contact lenses need to be continuously updated and replaced. You may need to perform testing and purchase new eyewear every one to three years to maintain perfect vision.
According to some LASIK patients, side effects include dry eyes, which you can use artificial tears to alleviate.

Safety

The LASIK procedure is a quick, safe and effective vision correction treatment. The FDA approved this refractive surgery for use in the United States in 1998, and since then, there have been many advancements with technology, techniques, and standards. While all eye surgeries carry risks, eye doctors lower the risk of any complications by performing a comprehensive consultation and examination, and using state-of-the-art mapping software and laser technology. Accordingly, complication rates are lower than 1% for laser eye surgeries. In contrast, contact lenses carry high risks for serious eye infections and inflammation issues. Contact lens wearers must always be on the alert for eye health issues.

Quick Procedure and Recovery Time

When your eye surgeon begins LASIK surgery, they will use a laser to create a small flap in the cornea. They will then reshape the cornea by removing precise, calculated amounts of corneal tissue. After completing this procedure, they will place the corneal flap back into position. This entire treatment takes only about 15 minutes and you walk away with healthy eyes.

The eye will naturally heal this area quickly, without the need for stitches. Since this is the case, recovery time is relatively fast as well. Over three to six months, your eye will gradually heal and your vision will become better and better. However, many patients can see improvements within mere hours and get back to enjoying activities within days.

Increased Freedom

LASIK provides patients with a tremendous amount of freedom, while glasses may only assist with vision in particular scenarios. It can be frustrating to wear your glasses for particular tasks, use different pairs for various activities, and opt out of sports or other fun events due to wearing glasses. When it comes to contact lenses, you must remember to place or remove contact lenses regularly, deal with uncomfortable placements, and carry contact lens solutions. Opting for laser eye surgery allows you to enjoy your life without thinking about bothersome eyewear.

LASIK Cost vs Contacts vs Glasses

Our ICON Eyecare eye doctors are passionate about providing accessible, affordable eye care and vision treatments for all our patients. Your LASIK surgeon understands that many patients worry about the price of corrective vision procedures. In this case, many wish to weigh the long-term costs of each option against the benefits of this surgical procedure.

Glasses

Average glasses cost from $100 to $400. However, depending on the brand and type, costs can range well up to $1,000 per pair. In certain cases, patients must purchase multiple pairs of glasses to reflect different scenarios, such as reading, driving at night, or going outside in the sunlight. Depending on their particular eye conditions and vision preferences, they may also require specialty, bifocal, or progressive lenses. Additionally, patients need to regularly upgrade or replace their eyeglasses; typically, this occurs every one to three years. It may be more frequent in cases of significant eye changes or severe vision impairments.

Considering all these elements, eyewear costs can add up relatively quickly. Luckily, vision insurance can reduce the out-of-pocket costs. However, it rarely wholly covers the expenses and they remain expensive over the long term. This high cost of eyewear does not balance against its benefits nor does it minimize the disadvantages. Glasses may be a quick and simple solution, but they can also be inaccurate, inconvenient, and easily lost or damaged. Laser surgery offers far more benefits, less disadvantages, and better cost-effectiveness.

Contact Lenses

Temporary contact lenses are a popular choice, as they are quick, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing. At first glance, contact lenses appear to be relatively inexpensive, ranging from $30 to $90 a month. However, since the cost is recurring, the expenses add up quickly. Over the span of a year, this could accumulate to $360 to $1080. Similar to eyeglasses, vision insurance can help pay for prescription contact lenses. Yet, wearers still may need to pay out-of-pocket fees regularly.

Patients must consider lenses’ costs against the benefits. Contact lenses may be more accurate and flexible than glasses. However, they come with daily care routines; if neglected, you have a heightened risk for severe complications. Alternatively, LASIK is safer, longer lasting, and cheaper in the long run.

LASIK

The cost of LASIK may be higher than glasses or contacts, deterring many qualified applicants from receiving surgery. However, compared to the prices for eyewear over a few years, LASIK is a less expensive solution. LASIK procedures vary between $1,000 and $4,000 per eye, depending on the provider, level of care, type of refraction errors, the severity of vision problems, eye health, and other important factors. While glasses and contact lenses may have lower primary costs, their continuous fees are more expensive and burdensome than LASIK over a lifetime.

With these nominal costs in mind, a simple outpatient procedure that can correct your near and distance vision may become more attractive.

See How Much You Could Save with Our LASIK Savings Calculator

Laser eye treatments are a more economical option than either glasses or contact lenses. If you would like to see how much you could save by receiving this state-of-the-art procedure, try our LASIK Lifetime Savings Calculator.

It is also important to know that your glasses and contact lenses expenses may not include eye care exams and follow-up care. Our ICON LASIK procedure fees cover customized laser eye surgery and one year of specialized, follow-up care and our Vision Commitment Plan. Our Vision Commitment Plan covers enhancement treatments throughout your life, meaning any necessary corrections are completely free of charge.

Following vision correction surgery, you can typically resume normal activities within a day or two. Most of our patients report excellent results.

FSA/HSA for LASIK

You may consider laser eye surgery a viable alternative to other vision correction options, especially when you add up the lifetime costs of eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, you may wonder how you can afford the upfront cost of LASIK. Unlike eyeglasses or contact lenses, most vision insurance policies do not include laser eye surgery. However, you can take advantage of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to help cover your costs. At ICON Eyecare, we are also pleased to offer a financing option to reduce your financial burden. You can receive the vision corrective treatment you need now and pay in a way that works best for you.

Schedule a LASIK Consultation with ICON Eyecare

LASIK is an excellent way to improve your vision significantly while keeping eyecare and vision correction costs low over the long run. Eyeglasses and contact lenses may look like inexpensive options. Still, over a lifetime, their expenses are burdensome and unnecessary. Accordingly, laser eye surgery may be the best vision corrective option.

ICON Eyecare can discuss your eye correction options with you and help you decide if a LASIK procedure is the right choice for you. Schedule a free LASIK evaluation with our friendly eye doctors today!