Introducing Laser Eye Treatment

Laser eye treatment is one of the most popular elective surgeries in the world. More than 1 million Americans have the surgery done each year. The procedure goes by a number of brand names, but in all cases the shape of the eye is altered by a laser to improve vision clarity. Created over 30 years ago, the treatment continues to develop and bring greater benefits to patients.

There are three distinct advantages to having a laser treatment for eyes performed. They are financial savings, medical and psychological benefits, and enhanced personal perception. Many people who have their eyes done focus on just one of these advantages as the core reason for their surgery, but it is important to understand the impact of each benefit on your life.

1. Financial Savings

Laser eye treatments are actually very affordable and cost effective surgeries. They should be thought of as investments. For most people, this investment will be paid back in 10 years or less, depending on the level of correction they experience after the surgery.

If this seems surprising, just run the numbers. Market Scope, the leading vision industry data cruncher, pegged the average cost of surgery at $1350 per eye in 2008. Many consumers are able to have both eyes done for $3,000 or less. As a result, they are able to switch to less expensive, lower prescription contacts and glasses, or usually throw away their corrective eyewear altogether.

The average pair of glasses costs $200, and most Americans have 2 or 3 pairs at home. Bifocals or designer frames can run the cost up to $500 or more per pair. Basic daily disposable contacts prescriptions cost $250 per year, while contacts for astigmatism or monovision cost $450 yearly. Add in the cost of contact solutions, cleaners, and drops over the course of a lifetime, and treatment becomes an obvious choice for the cost-conscious consumer.

2. Medical/Psychological Benefits

There are many medical and psychological benefits to having your eyes done. They range from minor medical issues like relief from irritating contacts to major psychological issues like obsessive-compulsive behavior relative to eye health. Depending on your personal situation, the medical and psychological benefits will outweigh even the most substantial of cost savings.

One of the most cited benefits is headache relief. Many people who need vision correction do not realize the extent to which their sight impacts the level and severity of their headaches. Squinting at computer screens or fine print can cause headaches, as can the neck strain and poor posture that result from leaning in for a better view all day long. Laser eye treatment can relieve these symptoms and reduce recurrent or chronic pain.

3. Personal Perception

Finally, it is also important to consider the personal perception benefits that accrue from laser eye treatments. Getting rid of the need for vision correction allows you to throw away glasses that you find unattractive, burdensome or aging. Many patients report feeling more confident and attractive after the surgery as a result of being able to trade in their “Coke-bottle” glasses for lighter frames or get rid of their glasses altogether.

Other patients talk about their increased self-esteem. Identifying a problem in your life and taking the steps necessary to fix it can be very personally empowering. Every time you share the story of your surgery, you get to relive that positive choice and feel better about your own personal capabilities.

Looking at these advantages, it is no mystery why so many people choose to have laser eye treatment each year. There is no other surgery that offers such financial, medical and personal benefits. Understanding each benefit, it is easy to see the change that is possible thanks to this one simple procedure.