Is LASIK Better Than Contacts?

A recent study has measured patient satisfaction with LASIK compared to contact lenses for vision correction. The study found that LASIK results in fewer vision problems with night driving both with former contact lens wearers and former glasses wearers. However, complaints about dry eye were common among people who had LASIK as well as those who wore contact lenses or glasses.

The study, led by Francis Price Jr., M.D., gathered patient satisfaction over a three-year period. Patients in the study were between 18 and 60 years of age and included:

• 356 participants who wore contacts only
• 448 participants who wore contacts then had LASIK
• 154 participants who wore glasses and then had LASIK

     Participants were asked if they would recommend LASIK or contacts to a friend or family member. The results were as follows:        

•  53% of patients who wore contacts agreed that they would recommended contacts
• 87% of patients who wore contacts and then had LASIK agreed that they would recommend LASIK
• 77% of patients who wore glasses and then had LASIK agreed that they would recommend LASIK

Another question asked of the group was whether patients believed LASIK works better than wearing contact lenses; 96% answered that they either “agreed” or “strongly agreed.”

Still another question addressed night vision difficulties. The rate of night driving problems decreased after LASIK for those participants who had previously worn contacts or glasses. “Overall, LASIK improves night driving vision and that was very significant,” said Dr. Price.

If you have been “on the fence” about having LASIK vision correction, this new study may help you decide to take the first step toward improved vision. At Lake Dillon Eye Care, we have performed thousands of LASIK procedures.

Learn more about the risks of LASIK, the benefits of LASIK and whether your eyes are right for LASIK by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Lake Dillon Eye Care. Call 970-468-0389 or visit lakedilloneye.com to schedule your appointment. Or take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation here. 

Stay Away from Cheap LASIK

You may have seen advertisements for LASIK at incredibly low prices. In 2013, the average price for laser vision correction was $2,073 per eye. So how can some centers advertise LASIK for $299, $499 or $699?

What sounds like a great deal on the surface may be cancelled out by the fine print:·

• The pricing may be tiered based on your prescription. The lowest price is only available to patients who need correction of 1.0 to 1.25 diopters – very low vision correction requirements. If you have more severe vision problems you probably won’t be eligible for the low rate.
• The type of technology used for the procedure may be considerably older than state-of-the-art current technology. Newer technologies may provide a more precise procedure with less risk of complications.
• There will likely be other fees tacked on that are typically covered in the cost of LASIK, such as the initial consultation, follow-up visits, enhancements, etc.
• The surgeon may be less experienced and not have a good track record of success. 

Lake Dillon Eye Care refuses to take this approach. We provide advanced LASIK technology to achieve the best possible vision outcomes. And we make LASIK affordable by offering competitive LASIK financing options.

Schedule your free LASIK Consultation so you can learn more about why Lake Dillon Eye Care is the right choice for LASIK. You will learn if you are a candidate for LASIK and you’ll learn exactly how much your procedure will cost before you leave. Call 970-468-0389 or visit lakedilloneye.com today.

Can Diabetics Have LASIK?

Many people who have diabetes wonder if they can have LASIK vision correction to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. There is no singular answer to this question; it depends on many different factors surrounding the patient’s eye health and overall health. Any reputable ophthalmologist will demand to know your medical history and current medical condition and will perform an extensive screening process before recommending LASIK.

LASIK should not be performed on diabetic patients who have:

• Diabetic Retinopathy, a disease that causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye)
• Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
• Unstable vision prescription

If you are a diabetic, the first step in finding out if it is safe for you to have LASIK is by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Lake Dillon Eye Care. Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Chang will go to great lengths to ensure that your diabetes is controlled enough to support LASIK and allow for proper healing. It is possible for people with well-controlled diabetes to have successful LASIK procedures.

To learn more about diabetes and LASIK in Lake Dillon, schedule a free LASIK Consultation by contacting Lake Dillon Eye Care at 970-468-0389 or lakedilloneye.com today.

Are You Photo-Happy on Facebook?

A 2013 study out of the UK showed that uploading too many photos of yourself to Facebook, including ‘selfies’, can make people like you less. However, Facebook also made changes in 2013 to its news feed to make room for larger pictures. The fact is that people do like to see photos of their friends, family, co-workers and old school chums on social media. It’s probably the number one reason why so many people flock to Facebook and sites like Instagram (although we can’t scientifically back this statement up).

The question is: Do you like how you look in the photos that you post – or the ones that others post of you? Are your glasses taking center-stage in your photos? Is there always glare coming off your lenses?

While these may seem like insignificant reasons to have a vision correction surgery, consider this: LASIK in Dillon, Colorado may help you gain moreself-confidence in front of the camera or smart phone lens. Our doctors at Lake Dillon Eye Care has helped thousands of patients correct their nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism through LASIK procedures. If you want to find out if you can get rid of your glasses and contacts, our doctors offer free LASIK Consultations in Dillon to tell you more about the procedure and help you find out if your eyes are right for LASIK.

So, if you don’t want to turn off your friends and family on Facebook, post less photos of yourself. However, we will warn you that after LASIK, your appearance without glasses may have your face showing up on Facebook more often. But we feel it’s worth the risk.

Contact Lake Dillon Eye Care to schedule a free LASIK Consultation at 970-468-0389 or lakedilloneye.com.