The Gift of Sight: Can I Give Laser Eye Surgery as a Present?
Giving gifts (and receiving them) is one of the best feelings in the world. It may be a small souvenir from your travels, a deeply personal present for a loved ones birthday, or even the gift of an experience, such as sky diving or going up in a hot air balloon! But there is one thing that can be invaluable: the gift of sight without the limitation of glasses or contact lenses.
But is this a realistic present? In other words: Can you get Laser Eye Surgery as a present for someone?
The Gift of Sight
Glasses and contact lenses have been the go-to visual aids for decades and even centuries. They are effective at correcting a wide range of refractive errors up to even the most severe prescription. However, anyone who has to put up with them will be quick to acknowledge their downsides.
Many of these people would understandably dream of going about their day without having to worry about forgetting their glasses or taking out their lenses at the end of a long day. While these might not sound like big problems, being rid of them can certainly make a significant impact in a person’s life. Enter Laser Eye Surgery.
With an over 95% satisfaction rate (and even higher at the best clinics), Laser Eye Surgery has become increasingly popular in the UK and around the world. The gift of limitless vision (around 97% of our short-sighted patients achieve 20/20 vision!), it is possible to say goodbye to the invonciences of glasses and contact lenses and embrace a new way of seeing the world – a world that holds all manner of new possibilities.
As you can see, there is nothing quite like the gift of Laser Eye Surgery. However, as a complex surgical procedure, Laser Eye Surgery is not your typical run-of-the-mill present. Therefore, it’s not just as simple as buying a spa experience or a massage and booking a date at the resort or clinic.
Nonetheless, with a bit of snooping and planning ahead, there’s no reason you can’t give the gift of sight to a loved one this Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or whatever the occasion! So, let’s take a look at some essential points you consider if you’re planning on gifting someone the freedom of Laser Eye Surgery.
Giving the gift of Laser Eye Surgery: Things to consider
Are they suitable for treatment?
It’s great that you want to give a loved one the gift of sight, but it is important to consider whether they may, in fact, be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery. A person’s suitability for treatment is determined through a rigorous screening process that will involve a number of tests and examinations. Of course, this is hardly helpful if you’re wanting to surprise someone! Thankfully, there are few general guidelines you can consider before testing gets underway.
There are a few contraindications for Laser Eye Surgery. These include being under the age of 18, being pregnant or breastfeeding, and having certain pre-existing health conditions. For patients with other conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and corneal diseases, a consultation will be needed to accurately determine suitability.
Still, the good news is, we are generally able to treat around 97% of the patients we see!
Be mindful of their schedule
It probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that having Laser Eye Surgery requires a lot of planning. Of course, your recipient will have to be able to attend an initial consultation at the clinic, in addition to their surgery day, and several follow-up appointments. Depending on the clinic’s availability, it may be possible to have treatment as soon as 24 hours after the consultation. Nonetheless, if you will be travelling from another part of the UK, you may need to consider whether the recipient can take a few days out of their schedule.
In addition, there is also transport to and from the clinic and accommodation (if needed) to organise. The good news is our patient care coordinators are always on hand to help with any arrangements and make any recommendations!
Bust the myths
Now that the practical considerations are out of the way, you will also want to consider dusting up on your Laser Eye Surgery facts. After all, if you’re planning to surprise someone with the gift of Laser Eye Surgery, you should probably know what you’re letting them in for!
Of course, we understand that it’s natural to be afraid or nervous about Laser Eye Surgery. Despite being considered a safe and effective treatment for over thirty years, a lot of misinformation surrounds this life-changing procedure. So, be ready to address any doubts and help to dispel any fear making the best choice of clinic and surgeon!
While it might sound like a lot of work – especially compared to opting for a spa voucher – Laser Eye Surgery can truly be the most wonderful gift for a loved one in your life. Nonetheless, it is important not to make them feel pressured into having the treatment if they are unsure. If they do decide to go ahead, you can look forward to gifting them a transformative experience that will stay with them forever.
To learn more about suitability for Laser Eye Surgery or our treatment options, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today! If you’re looking to explore Laser Eye Surgery as a gift for yourself, Book a Consultation and kickstart the process.