Many people want to achieve stronger vision; however, they are often concerned with the costs that are involved in this endeavor. So, how does one gain better vision while still not breaking their budget? Not many people are willing to invest time and money into something that is not a long-term solution for their lifestyle, which is why it is important to evaluate all the options.
According to a LASIK surgeon in Orange County, the three methods that people most utilize for vision correction are glasses, contacts, and LASIK eye surgery. This article will delve into a cost comparison of all three options and evaluate which ones are more economical. You will see, in this analysis, that some of these methods have underlying costs that are not immediately apparent or understood by most people. Hopefully, this comparison will help you decide what vision correction option is the most convenient and efficient for your way of life.
Glasses
For many people, glasses are an easy and affordable option. Cheap lenses and frames can be found at certain discount stores and online markets. Or, in some cases, people can have their glasses covered by insurance. Glasses do not require any special eye examination beyond what the regular optometrist can perform and there is no risk of irritation since there is no contact with the eye itself.
However, there are some underlying costs with glasses that appear under certain circumstances. Here are some elements that can influence the price:
- High Prescription: People that require a more complex prescription will likely have more expenses with their glasses. A higher prescription usually needs lighter and thinner lenses which can be priced in the hundreds. Even with insurance, this may be an additional expense that people will have to consider.
- Additional Features: Many people who wear glasses on a regular basis will want additional features like anti-glare, UV protection, anti-scratch, insurance in case of accident, and other necessary conveniences.
- Repairs: Glasses are exposed to all the elements of your daily life and sometimes they break. For people that do not have a spare pair of glasses, this means that they will have to spend extra on same day repair services.
Each pair of glasses will last about one to three years, which means that you will be constantly repairing and replacing them. If you factor in prescription sunglasses as well, you can see that the costs start to add up.
While glasses are often the budget-friendly option for many people, the expenses do not end at your first pair of prescription glasses. There are a variety of factors that can increase the overall cost of wearing glasses on a long-term basis, not to mention a certain inconvenience. People who wear glasses are dependent on their frames every day of their life. If glasses are lost or broken, this can cause a huge disruption in someone’s routine. For people with more active lifestyles or who live in harsher climates, glasses are a hazard.
Contacts
For those who are tired of dealing with the inconvenience of glasses, they will usually transition into wearing contacts. Many contact providers will offer relatively affordable prices, which eases those who previously wore glasses into this alternative method of vision correction. However, contacts can still range in price depending on the extent of vision correction needed. Just like with glasses, people with astigmatism or high prescriptions will pay more for contact lenses. Prices will also vary according to the kind of contact lenses purchased: daily, bi-weekly, monthly. Contacts must be replaced more often than glasses and the quality of the material will affect the cost of the lenses.
Contact lens prescriptions are good for a year. Then, an eye examination is needed to reevaluate the condition of the eyes. In the case that a prescription must be changed, there may be additional costs for a contact lens fitting.
So, while contact lenses are seemingly more convenient than glasses, they pose other disadvantages. The nature of this method requires constant eye exposure. Contacts must be taken out every night and inserted every morning as well as cleaned on a daily basis. Eye damage and infections are serious risks that come with wearing contacts. Contact lenses can also be inconvenient for people that enjoy water-based hobbies like swimming or have astigmatism and have more difficulty finding lenses that fit.
LASIK
At LASIK Orange County clinics, surgery prices are reliant on factors surrounding a patient’s eye condition and the LASIK surgeon. High-quality procedures can cost between 4,000 and 6,000 dollars because of the high-tech equipment, the experienced technique, and the amount of care given to the patient. Each eye should cost around 2,500 dollars each, as long as the clinic is using the most advanced laser machines and an experienced LASIK surgeon in Orange County. Any price below this could be an indication that the clinic is not responsible for its patients or does not have the newest technology.
LASIK costs will normally include pre-operative care, surgery, post-operative care, and any other necessary follow-up appointments.
While LASIK is certainly the most expensive option, it provides so many advantages as to make the cost a worthwhile investment. LASIK is a long-term solution. Instead of having to replace contacts every few months or glasses every few years, someone can avoid the hassle of prescription replacements and simply live their life. LASIK eye surgery allows people to engage in a more active lifestyle without having to worry about glasses or contacts. This vision correction method also benefits patients by creating a more permanent change to eyesight.
Overview
Vision is important, which is why there are so many available options for achieving strong, clear eyesight. So, how does someone choose between the three most popular methods available? Some people like to try all three, starting with glasses and moving to contacts before they decide that they want LASIK. It is best to follow the recommendations of your eye doctor and consider the lifestyle that you want to lead with your improved vision.
Glasses: Cheap and easy. Although, when analyzing the underlying costs of wearing glasses long-term, it may be worthwhile to note that it matches a LASIK surgery cost. If you replace your glasses every year for twenty years, you will be paying 4,000 dollars or more on expenses.
Contacts: More convenient than glasses but still the same expenses. Contact lenses cost about the same, or a little more, than glasses. This means that the same twenty-year timeline will match the price of a LASIK eye surgery.
LASIK: Initially more expensive but the most convenient and long-term solution. Unlike glasses and contacts, LASIK is not a continuous expense. Even though it costs more than the starting price of glasses or contacts, it eventually evens out when you account for the number of years you will go without having to worry about prescription lens expenses. This is why LASIK is an investment. It will initially cost more than other alternatives but it will pay off in the end. There may even be financing options available that will make payments much more reasonable.