12 Key Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery You Should Know

If life without prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses sounds appealing, you may want to consider laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery. LASIK is used to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.¹ About 600,000 LASIK surgeries are performed every year in the United States, with a high success rate.²

Take a look at the following benefits so you can decide if the upfront cost to get LASIK is worth the improved lifestyle and quality of life you may enjoy after the surgery.

1. Improved Vision

About 95% of people who get LASIK are happy with the results.² The most obvious benefit of LASIK eye surgery is improved vision. Some people even believe their vision is better after the surgery than it was with prescription glasses or contacts.³

2. Quick Procedure

LASIK is a quick, outpatient surgery. In fact, the entire procedure takes only about 15 minutes for both eyes.²

3. Fast Recovery

Not only is the surgery fast, but so is the recovery time. Many patients notice some vision improvement right after the surgery is over (even if things are a bit foggy). In just a few hours, your vision should start getting even clearer.⁴

You’ll feel the most discomfort for the first few hours after LASIK. And although it takes about six months for your eyes to fully stabilize and heal, you should be able to resume normal activities fairly quickly. You may even be able to start exercising in just a week.⁴

4. Long-Lasting Results

LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea. The vision correction can potentially last the rest of your life.⁵

Keep in mind, however, that aging can alter your vision to some degree as the years go by. You may need reading glasses or develop cataracts, for example. Even if you’ve had LASIK, these are simply things that can happen as you age.⁵

5. Pain-Free

The LASIK procedure is generally painless due to the use of numbing eye drops.¹ Your eyes may feel dry and uncomfortable for few hours after your surgery, but lubricating eye drops can help.⁴

6. Reduced Dependence on Eyewear

Most people who undergo LASIK no longer need glasses or contact lenses for daily tasks.⁶ Now, this doesn’t mean you won’t ever need glasses in the future. Many people over 40 still develop presbyopia (a natural part of aging) and need reading glasses.¹ But there’s still an upside. If you already have a prescription for other vision problems (like farsightedness or nearsightedness) and then develop presbyopia, you’ll likely need bifocals or even trifocals.⁷ But if you corrected those vision problems with LASIK and don’t have any other prescriptions, you may only need reading glasses as you age.¹

7. Increased Convenience

LASIK eliminates the hassles associated with wearing and maintaining glasses or contacts. You don’t have to worry about misplacing your glasses or forgetting them at home. You’ll no longer need to clean your contacts every day and spend time inserting and removing them.³

8. High Success Rate

After LASIK, about 90% of patients achieve vision of between 20/20 and 20/40 without glasses or contact lenses.¹

9. Customizable Treatment

Today’s technology allows for personalized laser surgery correction based on your individual situation. One of the newest types of LASIK surgery, called Wavelight® Plus, uses a special diagnostic tool to map your eye’s entire optical system from front to back, creating a 3D digital twin of your eye. Your doctor can then create a laser treatment that’s completely unique to you.⁸

10. Increased Safety in Emergencies

You may feel safer and more secure when you don’t need contacts or glasses. If an emergency woke you up in the middle of the night and you had to respond quickly, could you find your way around in the dark without your contacts or glasses? After LASIK, you may not have this worry anymore.⁶

11. Improved Quality of Life

LASIK can enhance your ability to enjoy sports, outdoor activities and even daily recreational and work activities. Here are just a few examples:⁶

• Having clearer, sharper vision can increase your productivity at work.
• Outdoor recreation is more enjoyable because you don’t have to deal with your glasses getting dirty or foggy.
• You don’t have to worry about contacts when you’re swimming.
• You won’t need prescription eyewear for certain sports.

12. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

LASIK can save you both money and time in the long run by reducing expenses related to glasses, contacts and solutions. You won’t need to constantly update your prescriptions or purchase new frames or lenses.⁶

You also may find that you don’t need the same vision insurance plan that you had when you needed contacts or eyeglass prescription updates every year.⁶

So while LASIK involves a higher upfront cost, it ends up being about the same as what you would spend on eight to 10 years of contacts.⁹

LASIK Is a Worthwhile Investment

LASIK has transformed vision correction by providing millions of people with a safe, effective alternative to glasses and contacts. With its high success rate, quick recovery time and long-lasting results, it’s a worthwhile investment for many people. For those who qualify, LASIK can be a life-changing choice that delivers both practical and personal benefits for years to come.

Financing LASIK Eye Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you’d like to be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses, you may want to consider taking the first step to determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Schedule an appointment for an eye exam and a preoperative consultation with your eye doctor, who can review your eye health and answer your questions. Remember that the CareCredit credit card provides a convenient option for financing not only your LASIK consultation and procedure but other vision care too.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit.

Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to easily manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.