As someone who’s worn glasses for years and is also a contact lens wearer, I’ve always wondered: What if I didn’t have to rely on them anymore? Over the years, laser eye surgery has been something I’ve considered—but never seriously. That is, until recently. After recently buying varifocal glasses, I decided to research laser vision correction properly. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
This is a collaborative post.
Why Consider Laser Eye Surgery?
So I’m going to start with the obvious question: why even bother with surgery when glasses and contacts do the job?
For many others, it comes down to quality of life. For those who are very shortsighted, waking up and seeing clearly without having to reach for glasses sounds almost magical. For me, there’s the freedom of not having to worry about putting in and taking out contact lenses, dry eyes, or fogged-up glasses in the rain (and I do a lot of walking in the rain).
Some of the main benefits that stood out to me in my research include:
Improved Vision: You’ll find that most people achieve 20/20 vision or better after surgery.
Long-Term Cost Savings: Though the upfront cost can be steep, it can actually be cheaper over time than years of glasses, contacts, and accessories. I’ve spent thousands on glasses and daily contact lenses.
Active Lifestyle Benefits: It’s a right pain when a contact lens splits or you forget your glasses when you go away. Laser eye surgery means no more worrying about losing a lens during a gym session or breaking your glasses on a hike.
Quick Recovery: You’ll find that most people are back to work and driving within a day or two.
Confidence Boost: If you ask people who have had it done, many of them say they feel more like themselves post-surgery, without the ‘barrier’ of glasses.
All that said, laser eye surgery isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a healthy adult with a stable vision prescription, chances are good you might be a candidate to look into it.
What Are the Main Types of Laser Eye Surgery?
One of the first things I discovered is that “laser eye surgery” isn’t just one thing. There are a few different types, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
I suspect this is probably the one most people have heard of. LASIK involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, lifting it, reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser, and then placing the flap back. It’s quick (about 10 minutes per eye), and most people see significant improvement in vision within 24 hours.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
You may not have heard of this procedure, as SMILE is a newer technique where a femtosecond laser is used to create a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue within the cornea (called a lenticule), which is then removed through a tiny incision. It’s currently used primarily for correcting myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism.
LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy)
LASEK involves preserving and repositioning the very thin epithelial layer of the cornea. LASEK is often an option if you aren’t suitable for LASIK. For example, if your corneas are too thin or flat for LASIK treatment, LASEK eye surgery might be the best option.
What About Risks?
As you would expect, no surgery is 100% risk-free, and laser eye surgery is no exception. But that being said, complications are rare and usually mild.
Some potential side effects include:
– Dry Eyes (especially with LASIK)
– Glare or Halos at Night
– Under correction or over correction (which might require enhancement surgery)
– Infection or Inflammation (very rare)
Risks are very minimal. You are best to speak to the professionals, like Optegra, who can talk you through your personal risk profile.
What Does It Cost?
In the UK, prices for laser eye surgery typically range from £1,500 to £2,500 per eye, depending on the clinic and type of procedure. Some places offer financing plans, which can make it more accessible.
It’s definitely a financial investment—but considering how much you might spend on glasses, contacts, optician appointments and everything else that comes with this, I can see how it might pay off in the long run.
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery isn’t a miracle cure, but for many people—including possibly me—it offers the chance at clear, unaided vision, and a bit more freedom in everyday life. If you’re tired of the constant maintenance and cost that comes with glasses or contact lenses, it’s absolutely worth exploring further.
Whether you’re just curious like I was or seriously considering surgery, I hope this helped shed some light on your options. Clear vision might just be a laser away.
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