Posted on February 22nd, 2010 | Comments (0)
So you’re searching for 20/20. And you’ve heard about laser eye surgery. Maybe a friend told you about it or perhaps you saw an ad on television. Now let us go out on a limb. Somewhere, at the tip of your tongue, or at the very least at the back of your mind, there is a question. Should you have laser eye surgery? It’s a very simple question, really. A yes or no question. And you’re hoping for a quick answer, so you can get back to making important decisions like what to have for dinner tonight.
Should I have laser eye surgery? Everywhere we go, people ask us this. Should I have laser eye surgery? It’s a loaded question. In fact, it’s an excellent question to ask, only a difficult one to answer. And although it is cleverly disguised, it really isn’t a yes or no question. It’s like asking someone, “Should I buy a car?”
A car. Well, do you really need a car? What about public transportation? Or bicycles or cabs? Or even walking? Can you afford a car? And what kind of car are we talking about here? A sports car or a sedan? What’s more important to you, comfort or style? Speed or reliability? Are airbags really necessary? And if you’re so scared of what can happen to you in a car, then maybe you shouldn’t even be on the roads.
Similar issues can be raised about laser eye surgery. Do you really need it? What are the alternatives? When it comes to your eyes, what’s more important to you, appearance or function? Safety or style? As you can see, there are a number of questions which need to be addressed before you’re anywhere near making a decision. And everybody is different. Each person has different priorities, different expectations and goals, and importantly, different eyes. So whether you’re in search of a perfect car or perfect vision, it is a decision you have to make and to live with.
With due respect to car dealers and manufacturers, we are talking about your eyes. This is serious business and you know it. There are no 100% guarantees in medicine and there is no chance of getting replacement eyes if yours are in the shop. The most important thing is to make the best decision you can.
When you are in the market for a new car, you do some research. You talk to friends and family, even car salesmen. You read consumer reports. And once you have all of the information you need, you make a decision.
In car-shopping, however, you have a bit of a head start. You already know that a car has four wheels, a steering wheel, and runs on gasoline. And you also have a little perspective, knowing that brakes shouldn’t be an optional accessory. Last but not least, you have the benefit of having driven a car before and also being able to test drive before you buy.
The same principles apply when considering laser eye surgery. The difference is here, you’re starting from scratch. In all probability, you don’t know very much about laser eye surgery. You don’t know about its history, its results, its inherent risks. Chances are you don’t know much about the different kinds of laser eye surgery and what is the best kind for you. Perhaps you don’t even know very much about eyes in general and your eyes in particular.
You are not alone. Greater than a quarter of the population is nearsighted. An additional percentage is farsighted. It is estimated that by the end of this year three million Americans will have had laser eye surgery. And two million more will undergo the procedure every year after that. Countless more will consider it. That means that each person like you, who endures glasses or contact lenses, is today confronted with a difficult decision. With the health of your eyes at stake, not to mention the issues of money, pain, risk, and unknown chances of success, how do you make such a decision?
That is why we are asked questions at social gatherings. Intelligent, motivated, responsible people like you are attempting to acquire all of the information they can in order to make the right decision. The problem is figuring out who to ask. You can seek the advice of people at cocktail parties, but anecdotal accounts can be misleading. You can ask your eye doctor, but that is not unlike asking a car salesman if you should buy his or her car.
You can search the archives of medical literature in search of relevant, accurate, information. Buried under mountains of statistics and obscured by clouds of bias you may discover useful facts.
Or you can read this free report about the pros and cons of laser eye treatment. We have attempted to compile a summary of everything you need to know about laser eye surgery. The information you will read is as accurate, objective, and up-to-date as possible. Some of the reports are fairly technical. That is the nature of eye surgery.
You will find everything surprisingly easy to understand. And that is the goal. For only if you understand your eyes and your options, will you be able to make the best possible decision. It is, after all, your decision.
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The following content represents the opinions of Fitness2Health.com users. It is not editorially reviewed for medical or factual accuracy and does not constitute medical advice.