Laser Eye Surgery: Benefits, Risks & Is It Right For You?

Laser eye surgery is a great option for those who are tired of wearing glasses and want a permanent solution to their vision problems. As with any surgery, however, there are risks associated with the procedure that must be considered before a final decision is made.

Benefits

• Laser eye surgery is a great option for those who cannot wear contacts because of allergic reactions, as well as those who would require very thick glasses to see properly.

Effects

• The surgery would greatly benefit swimmers, sailors, divers and other water-sport enthusiasts, for whom wearing glasses or lenses would be uncomfortable or impossible.

Warning

• Infection and complications are a risk with any surgery, and particularly serious with anything related to vision, as there is very little chance to change things if something goes wrong.

Potential Problems

• Some people experience vision problems after the surgery, including extreme sensitivity to light and the feeling of seeing halos or blurry spots.

Features

• When done right, laser eye surgery restores vision to 20/20 permanently, which may allow some people to take jobs they may not otherwise qualify for, such as in the case of pilots or truck drivers.

Expert Insight

• Eye surgery costs an average of $1,000 per eye and is usually not covered by insurance, making the procedure too expensive for many people.