A few years ago, I was playing a game of Monopoly on the xBox with my family. I immediately noticed that I couldn’t read the numbers on the TV screen, which as you can imagine, made the game quite difficult. After about 10 minutes of straining to see the screen, I developed a nasty headache. So off to the opticians I went, only to discover that I needed glasses because I was short-sighted. At first, I didn’t mind wearing glasses. I kind of liked choosing my frames, but after a few years of losing, breaking, and constantly cleaning my glasses, I have been trying to save up for laser eye surgery. Before I started my savings pot, I did a lot of research as I wanted to know the pros and cons of laser eye surgery. There’s a lot to read up on, so I’ve decided to summarise all the details in one article to save others some research time. So if you’re interested in getting laser eye surgery and want to know more about the procedure, the cost, and what the benefits are – this is the post for you. What Is Laser Eye Surgery? First and foremost, let’s talk about what laser eye surgery does. Laser eye surgery is a common procedure used to correct problems with your eyesight. It can be offered on the NHS if your eye health meets a certain criteria, however, it is mostly only available to private patients. The reason many people need to wear glasses or contact lenses is due to imperfections on the cornea – this prevents the eye from focusing effectively. Laser eye surgery uses precision laser treatments to smooth out these irregularities, leaving you with perfect vision. How is Laser Eye Surgery Performed? When opting to use the laser eye surgery treatment, you will attend a meeting with a consultant – this is usually around half an hour long. During this consultation, the specialist will take you through all the usual bits of information regarding the procedure. The exact way in which the procedure is carried out is likely to differ from practice to practice, and also differ depending on what specific treatment you’re having. However, for the most part, you will be given either a local anaesthetic in your eye, or a general anaesthetic. Then a laser will be used to alter the shape of your cornea, smoothing out any imperfections that affect your vision. You will be able to return home on the same day as your treatment and be given some aftercare instructions to follow. Who Does Laser Eye Surgery Work For? It’s likely that you’ll have questions regarding your specific eye health concerns, and many people want to know ‘can laser eye surgery fix astigmatism?’ or ‘can laser eye surgery fix my short-sightedness?’. There are many varieties of laser eye surgery that can improve your eye health – the type that will be best suited to you will depend on your condition, your age, and your overall eye health. If you require eye surgery to fix eyesight issues such as astigmatism, short-sightedness (myopia) or long-sightedness, laser eye surgery could definitely work for you. It’s also possible to have laser eye surgery to treat eye conditions that can lead to a loss of vision, such as diabetic retinopathy, complications after cataract surgery, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. What Are The Pros and Cons of Laser Eye Surgery? Getting laser eye surgery is a big financial investment, so before booking a consultation, it’s critical that you make a list of pros and cons in order to determine whether it’s the best course of action for you. Pros Of Getting Laser Eye Surgery Cons Of Getting Laser Eye Surgery Additional Benefits Laser Eye Surgery May Present The benefits of laser eye surgery exceed just your physical wellness – it can also have a positive impact on your mental health and well-being. As you can see, there’s a pretty substantial list of benefits that come with opting for laser eye surgery. The only real con is the cost, however considering the advanced technology used, plus the financial savings accrued over the years from not buying glasses and contacts, I think it evens the cost out quite nicely. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Laser Eye Surgery: Didn’t find what you needed in the article? Here are a few more of the most frequently asked questions surrounding laser eye surgery, and their answers. Can laser eye surgery go wrong? As with all medical procedures, there are risks involved. Laser eye surgery can go wrong, but complications are extremely rare. Will laser eye surgery last forever? Yes, once you’ve had your eyes corrected, you will have permanently improved vision. Will laser eye surgery hurt? During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain as your eyes are numbed with anesthetic. During the healing process, you may experience some discomfort, but this doesn’t last long. Who can’t get laser eye surgery? There are some people who will not be able to get laser eye surgery. If you’re pregnant, under 18, on certain medications, or have specific medical conditions, you will not be able to receive laser eye surgery. Everything You Need To Know About Laser Eye Surgery Laser eye surgery is a revolutionary treatment that can truly change lives. If you are considering getting laser eye surgery, I suggest you do your own research as well as take on board the information in this article. Be sure to talk to your specialist about any concerns or fears you may have, and remember to follow the aftercare advice afterwards. Have you ever had laser eye surgery? I’d be very interested in hearing more about the procedure and your own experience, so please let me know how it went for you in the comment section below.
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