Foto von Amanda Dalbjörn auf Unsplash
In 2023, there are more options than ever before to correct your eyesight. Aside from the obvious glasses and contact lenses, it is now possible for almost anyone to undertake eye surgery, which can correct everything from astigmatism to farsightedness and near-sightedness.
However, unless you or someone you know is trained in ophthalmology, it can be hard to know what type of surgery is going to be the right one for you. So, how do you choose the right laser surgery to correct your eyesight? Here are some tips to follow.
Research!
The first thing you will need to do is look into all the different types of eye surgery that are available in the United States. If you have health insurance, it is also worth considering researching the types of eye surgery that your insurance will cover and assess if they will meet your needs.
For instance, if you have cataracts, then the obvious choice of surgery is going to be cataract-removal surgery, but if you just wanted to improve your vision so you don’t have to wear glasses, then you would be better with SMILE eye surgery. These procedures will differ greatly from other kinds of eye surgery and will likely have different benefits, as well as success rates and a differing recovery time. It is important for you to have a base-level understanding of the different types of eye surgery, so you can make an informed decision about which type is right for you.
Talk To An Optician
Of course, you will need to have a few meetings with your optician before deciding to undertake any kind of eye surgery. You should aim to schedule a comprehensive eye examination with your optician, as these assessments will explore your eye health, any vision issues, and your medical history to determine if you are a suitable candidate for surgery. In some cases, you may inadvertently be taking a medication that is making your eyesight worse, such as warfarin, and if this is the case, you will need to also schedule an appointment with your doctor to look at the next steps going forward with a medication change.
Weigh Up The Pros and Cons
Even though the majority of eye surgeries take less than an hour and use lasers to prevent any long-term damage, there are still risks that need to be considered. Of course, if all goes well, you will experience improved vision and a better quality of life after surgery, but you need to be aware of the issues that can occur, such as long-term blurred vision or dry eyes. So, you should seek to discuss the risks and benefits of having surgery with your eye care professional relating specifically to your clinical needs.
Consider Your Visual Needs
Finally, you will need to consider your visual requirements and your lifestyle when it comes to choosing eye surgery. If you are aiming to have eye surgery to be able to engage in contact sports, certain types of eye surgery will be more suited for you. If this is not an issue, you may be able to undertake another surgery type, which may have a longer recovery time. It’s also worth exploring your clinical needs as well, so if you have thin corneas, you will likely be a better candidate for one type of surgery than another.