Saving up money to pay for a surgical procedure that’s considered “voluntary” in many cases might seem like more trouble than it’s worth. If the surgery in question, however, happens to be LASIK to improve personal vision, the effort could very well be worth it. This laser-based surgery can transform lives while enabling people to see clearly without help for the first time in years and for some ever.

LASIK involves the surgical reshaping of the eye’s cornea to adjust focusing. The surgery is appropriate for those with near and farsightedness and also those with astigmatism. Those who undergo it are likely to discover that there’s very little pain or discomfort involved and the improvements to vision are noticeable almost immediately.

While no doctor worth his or her salt will guarantee results, the track record for this type of procedure is a whopping 98 percent of patients enjoying 20/40 vision post-surgery or better. In many cases doctors are able to pull off providing their patients with 20/20 vision without the need for glasses or contacts.

So, is LASIK worth it? If you’re not sure, consider these questions:

• Do glasses or contacts get in the way of your enjoyment of life?
• Are you tired of waking in the morning not being able to see?
• Do you feel like you’re held back because of your vision troubles?
• Do you spend an inordinate amount of money annually on glasses, contacts, or related items?

If you answered yes to these questions, LASIK might be a great choice for you.

Should you choose to delve into the procedure more, you’ll find that almost anyone age 21 or older in relatively good health can benefit from this procedure. Your eye doctor, however, will be the best to help you decide if you make a good candidate. Should that be the case, you’ll find the actual surgery itself only takes a few minutes and can result in near immediate improvements in vision. Chances are you’ll only have to take a day or two off of work, as well. Recovery from LASIK takes almost no time at all since stitches aren’t part of the procedure.

Ready to learn more about the benefits of LASIK? Be sure to consult with your eye doctor or a qualified eye surgeon.

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Epi-LASIK, Thin Flap LASIK, AST, PRK CK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.