How Do I Decide if Laser Eye Surgery is Right for Me?
Like many things in life, Laser Eye Surgery is a serious investment that can drastically improve your lifestyle. In many ways, it is like the Italian sports car of the vision correction world, blowing glasses and contact lenses out of the water just like a Ferrari would Corsa!
It’s a larger investment, and you have to go somewhere special to get it, but when you do, it offers an unrivalled level of performance and a much higher quality experience.
And yet there are those for whom a Ferrari simply isn’t ideal. This can also be the case for Laser Eye Surgery, whether due to certain conditions that can affect their suitability for the treatment, the severity of their prescription, and simple preference!
But how do you know if Laser Eye Surgery is the right decision for you? If you’re unsure, we hope we can help you to make up your mind. So, let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider.
Your Suitability for Laser Eye Surgery
Laser Eye Surgery Technology has advanced so much over recent years that it’s becoming less and less likely you’ll be unsuitable for surgery. Conditions like short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and even ageing eyes (presbyopia) and high prescriptions are commonly treated with a very low turn-away rate.
However, there are some cases in which Laser Eye Surgery simply may not be an option. This may be due to your prescription, eye health, or an existing condition that is a contraindication for the treatment.
An Unstable Prescription
A stable prescription is needed to ensure Laser Eye Surgery treatment is successful. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can cause your prescription to fluctuate. Many people find that their vision is affected during pregnancy and while breastfeeding while fluctuating prescriptions in others may be related to conditions such as diabetes or due to certain medications. Hormones can also cause an unstable prescription during our teenage years.
The good news is that this instability is often temporary, and many people find that they will once again be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery once their vision has stabilised. At London Vision Clinic, we require our patients to have had a stable prescription for at least a year before their treatment. This allows us to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Your Eye Health
Your health – overall and that of your eyes – will also influence your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery. While some conditions may only temporarily your suitability, others may mean that Laser Eye Surgery isn’t an option for you. Conditions that affect the immune system, such as collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus need to be controlled and non-active to avoid complications with the healing process.
However, some eye conditions, such as keratoconus, are a contraindication for Laser Eye Surgery. Your suitability will be determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure the most accurate diagnosis.
The Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery
Once you have confirmed your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery, the next step is to consider the potential benefits (of which there are many). So, let’s take a look at a few of them!
Reduced Risk of Eye Infections and Disease
Okay, so this one is mostly for the contact lens wearers out there, but it is probably among the most critical reasons to consider Laser Eye Surgery. While contact lenses can be convenient and discrete, they can also be associated with a number of complications.
Wearing contact lenses puts you at an increased risk of eye infections, corneal ulcers, corneal abrasions, and conjunctivitis, as well as dry eyes and general irritation. These can soon develop into more serious conditions, making contacts one of the riskiest long-term methods of vision correction. In contrast, Laser Eye Surgery is considered one of the safest procedures in the world.
Vision Improvement
This might be an obvious one, but it can often be easy to overlook just how much value clear, unobstructed vision can add to our lives – particularly if you have been wearing glasses or contact lenses for years. In top-performing Laser Eye Surgery clinics, the vast majority of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better following their treatment. That means you have a high chance of achieving the standard of vision required to be a fighter pilot and enjoying the life-enhancing benefits that come along with it!
More Opportunities for Sports and Recreation
It’s no secret that many world-class athletes and sportspeople have had Laser Eye Surgery to improve their sports performance. But this treatment is not only for the rich and famous. In fact, we have treated many amateur sports enthusiasts who say their lives have been changed by their new and improved vision.
Take skydiver, Jakob Anguiers, or transatlantic sailor, Jess Goddard – both of whom documented their Laser Eye Surgery journey in video blogs!
But even for those of us who simply enjoy a run in the park, a yoga class with friends, or hitting the waves in the summer, ditching the glasses and contact lenses can make all kinds of sports and recreation that much more enjoyable and worry-free.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Right For You?
If you’re still unsure whether Laser Eye Surgery is right for you, our expert doctors can help. Our comprehensive screening allows us to determine your suitability for treatment (some clinics can treat a wider range of prescriptions than others) and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may still have.
To find out more about Laser Eye Surgery and whether it’s right for you, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation using the form below.