LASIK vs Contact Lenses

Unveiling the Truth for a Clearer Tomorrow

Are you on the fence about choosing between LASIK surgery and contact lenses? At Skyline LASIK in Colorado Springs, we understand the importance of making an informed decision for your vision’s future. Let’s explore the myths and facts, ensuring you have all the information you need for a clearer tomorrow.

“LASIK is Too Expensive”

Many people who wear contacts assume that they are the most affordable option for vision correction. This is a myth.

Contact lenses may seem like the more affordable choice at first glance, but they come with continuous costs that accumulate significantly over time. On average, Americans spend over $6,000 on contact lenses and related supplies in a 10-year span.

LASIK, on the other hand, is a one-time investment that can lead to substantial savings in the long run. It’s a bit like the difference between renting and buying a home; while renting offers short-term convenience, buying provides long-term value. LASIK is that investment in your vision, offering lasting clarity without the recurring expenses.

So, what is the actual cost of LASIK? Many of our patients who finance their LASIK pay only $4.16 a day with no money down, and they only need to make these payments for 3 years. Let’s put that into context: many people spend more than $5 a day on a single cup of coffee, when they could pay even less for a lifetime of visual freedom.

“LASIK is Risky”

So many people assume that because LASIK is a surgical procedure, it’s more risky than wearing contact lenses. This is a myth.

Many studies have shown that contact lens users face a significantly higher risk of eye infections and other complications than LASIK patients.

Did you know that of the 45 million Americans who wear contact lenses, a staggering 90% don’t follow proper lens care?¹ Bad habits like sleeping in contacts and poor hygiene can cause eye infections (keratitis), corneal inflammation, and corneal ulcers–all of which may permanently compromise vision.^2,3

That’s right: complications from contact lenses can cause a person to lose their vision.

On the other hand, over the course of more than 30 years, not one single person has gone blind due to LASIK alone. Furthermore, recent research shows that contact lens wearers are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with keratitis (a microbial eye infection) than people who have had LASIK. The truth is that LASIK has an exceptional safety record, with fewer than 1% of LASIK patients suffering complications after surgery.⁴

Let’s let that sink in: of the more than 20 million patients who have undergone LASIK in the United States since 1993, fewer than 1% have faced any complications.

The Bottom Line: Clear Vision, Clear Choice

Choosing LASIK at Skyline LASIK means investing in state-of-the-art technology and receiving care tailored to your unique vision needs. By opting for LASIK, you’re not just correcting your vision; you’re embracing a lifetime of visual freedom and safety, far from the recurring costs and risks of contact lenses. Let’s embark on this journey together, towards a future where your vision is not just corrected, but transformed. Contact us to schedule your LASIK consultation today.

 
¹ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact Lenses. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/fast-facts.html. Accessed March 8, 2024.
² Cope JR, Konne NM, Jacobs DS, et al. Corneal Infections Associated with Sleeping in Contact Lenses — Six Cases, United States, 2016–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:877–881. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6732a2. Accessed March 8, 2024.
³ Dart JK, Radford CF, Minassian D, Verma S, Stapleton F. Risk factors for microbial keratitis with contemporary contact lenses: a case-control study. Ophthalmology. 2008 Oct;115(10):1647-54, 1654.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2008.05.003. Epub 2008 Jul 2. PMID: 18597850. Accessed March 8, 2024.
⁴ American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/is-lasik-safe/. Accessed March 8, 2024.