Laser eye surgery vs. contact lenses
Why laser eye surgery is safer than wearing contact lenses for the rest of your life.
For many, wearing contact lenses has become a daily habit. But have you ever wondered if wearing contact lenses is the safest option for your eyes in the long run?
If you suffer from reduced vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, there are several options to improve your vision. Think of glasses or contact lenses, but also laser eye surgery. These methods all have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article we look at the reasons why laser eye surgery is safer for your eyes than wearing contact lenses for a lifetime.
Reduced risk of vision loss due to eye inflammation or infections
The greatest risk of losing your vision when wearing contact lenses is through an infection or eye inflammation. Consider, for example, the infection Acanthamoeba keratitis. This brings us directly to one of the greatest advantages of laser eye surgery compared to contact lenses: the reduced risk of eye infections and eye inflammation.
Contact lenses require daily maintenance and can become a source of bacterial growth if not cleaned properly. However, the risk of infection also depends on the type of contact lenses you wear. For example, wearing contact lenses day and night carries a greater risk than wearing daily lenses. Replacing your contact lenses on time also plays a role in this.
Eye laser treatments, such as LASEK, TransPRK, IntraLasik and ReLExSMILE, are one-time procedures. You will no longer need your contact lenses after these treatments and therefore do not have to clean them daily (monthly lenses) or change them (daily lenses). As a result, the risk of eye infections after the completed treatment is considerably lower than when wearing contact lenses.
Reduced risk of eye irritation
Tears, a burning sensation or even dry eyes. Contact lens wearers often experience eye irritation as a result of wearing contact lenses for a long time. For example, do you also notice that you prefer to take your contact lenses out immediately after work? Or that you suddenly suffer from watery eyes when a speck of dirt gets into your eye? Allergies such as hay fever can also intensify this feeling. This can lead to discomfort, redness and even damage to the cornea. After laser eye surgery, contact lenses are a thing of the past. For a short time after the treatment, your eyes may still be somewhat drier. Fortunately, this will pass.
Stable vision correction
Laser eye surgery offers a more stable and long-lasting vision correction than contact lenses. Contact lenses can shift or fall out, for example by rubbing your eyes, causing your vision to become temporarily blurred. Also, if you need a higher cylinder, a contact lens that moves continuously on the eye can give you an unstable image. When you blink, a toric lens (lens with cylinder) has to stabilize itself again.
The mobility of the contact lens can also vary during the day, this is due to differences in the moisture of the lens. The contact lens can move a lot when you blink one time, and very little later in the day. For example, if you spend a lot of time in the air conditioning, work on a screen or are in a room with dry air, the contact lens becomes drier and therefore moves more stiffly over the eye. It can then take longer for you to see clearly again after a blink, or the image will no longer be sharp.
After laser eye surgery, a short recovery period is needed. This varies per treatment. But after that, you can enjoy sharp vision!
Freedom through optimal vision without aids
Laser eye surgery can give you freedom by making you less dependent on corrective devices such as contact lenses or glasses. This means you never have to carry your lens case and solution with you everywhere. You can play sports, swim or do other activities without worrying about losing or damaging your lenses and therefore your vision.
Laser eye surgery safe alternative to contact lenses
While contact lenses are an effective and accessible way to correct vision problems, laser eye surgery offers significant advantages in terms of safety and convenience. With a reduced risk of infection, inflammation and eye irritation, more stable vision correction and reduced reliance on corrective devices after a course of treatment, laser eye surgery can be a safer and better option for people who want to improve their vision.
To know whether you are eligible for laser eye treatment, it is important to have a preliminary examination performed. During this preliminary examination, we map the health and structure of the eye and the ophthalmologist will give you a personal treatment advice tailored to your needs. This way, you will know immediately what to expect.
However, it is important to remember that not everyone is suitable for laser eye treatment and that there are certain conditions and risks involved. It is essential to undergo a preliminary examination to determine if laser eye treatment is suitable for you. Request a free preliminary examination.
