Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Counterpoints on 28/08/2008 19:20:20
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Laser surgery to correct near-sightedness seems to me like an incredible service -- a service almost every glasses wearing person should be thrilled to use. Glasses are frustrating to wear, disabling, often unattractive, and in many cases, more expensive than laser surgery! It would be so freeing and wonderful to put them away forever! But most people I've known to wear glasses for a long time have continued to wear them. If asked why, they seem to reply with an insincere and faulty rationalisation. The easiest such rationalisations are
1) The risk
2) The expense
and perhaps
3) Appearance isn't important
The risk, from what I know, is similar to crossing a street; so it's negligable -- it's comparable to something most people do every day that would cost them their lives if unlucky. Losing your vision would be a high price, but no higher than getting hit by an automobile at high speed.
The expense is comparable to a set of nice glasses with lenses. In the end, it's probably less expensive to get laser surgery than to live your whole life with glasses. So in fact, laser surgery could be money saving. Understandably, some people will not have 250 pounds or $500 easily accessible, but it's usually possible to save up this amount of money.
And besides the fact laser surgery does a lot more than help with appearance, appearance is usually pretty damn important to people. Most people who make the argument that appearance isn't important will wear contacts on special occasions, or go out of their way to buy nice clothes, and dress in a very particular manner.
So if these aren't the reasons -- they are just quick rationalisations -- what are the honest reasons people aren't getting this surgery? Are they all paranoiacs afraid to make any significant change in their lives? Do they wish to continue walking with a crutch their whole lives because they have become used to it? Do they feel their identity is closely tied to being a glasses wearer?
What's the reason?
<Mod Edit - Formatted the subject as a question - Please do this to help keep the forum tidy and easier to navigate, thanks!>
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The other problem that I have heard is that deterioration still goes on and that in a few years the surgery may have to be repeated.
Here in the states, the cost is more like $1000 - $2000 for both eyes.
There are definite risk factors for laser eye surgery, and not all patients are ideal candidates, either. Plus, I think a lot of people just don't want to go through even a minor surgery when glasses don't seem like a big deal to them. Laser eye surgery is still fairly new (at least in a widely available form). I think, in years to come, as long as nothing seriously detrimental is revealed in the process, we will see more and more people opting for the surgery.
Here is a list of risk factors from http://www.medicinenet.com/lasik_eye_surgery/page6.htm
1. You may be over-corrected or under-corrected.
2. You may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery to achieve your best vision.
3. Your results may not be permanent.
4. You may experience visual aberrations, especially in low light.
5. Dry eye symptoms may persist or get worse.
6. You may lose vision.
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In addition to Evie's points, there is also the time factor. Only one eye can be done at a time, so two opps needed.
I don't think laser correction has bee around long enough, people are still dubious about it's results and long term effects. Quite rightly so, would you risk total loss of vision for the sake of possible improvement?
I think in a few more years time, when the procedure has been perfected and no longer carries such risks, laser surgery will become much more acceptable.
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Not to mention that surgery alone on ones eyeball is really scary.. I cannot imagine someone using a laser in my eyes to cut my eyeball !!! slicing the top of the lens off to get to the required area then placing it back in place and stitching back onto my eyeball... Just the thought gives me the shivers and I think I would stick to my glasses.. which I rarely wear! LOL..
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Laser surgery to correct near-sightedness seems to me like an incredible service -- a service almost every glasses wearing person should be thrilled to use. Glasses are frustrating to wear, disabling, often unattractive, and in many cases, more expensive than laser surgery! It would be so freeing and wonderful to put them away forever! But most people I've known to wear glasses for a long time have continued to wear them. If asked why, they seem to reply with an insincere and faulty rationalisation. The easiest such rationalisations are
1) The risk
2) The expense
and perhaps
3) Appearance isn't important
The risk, from what I know, is similar to crossing a street; so it's negligable -- it's comparable to something most people do every day that would cost them their lives if unlucky. Losing your vision would be a high price, but no higher than getting hit by an automobile at high speed.
The expense is comparable to a set of nice glasses with lenses. In the end, it's probably less expensive to get laser surgery than to live your whole life with glasses. So in fact, laser surgery could be money saving. Understandably, some people will not have 250 pounds or $500 easily accessible, but it's usually possible to save up this amount of money.
And besides the fact laser surgery does a lot more than help with appearance, appearance is usually pretty damn important to people. Most people who make the argument that appearance isn't important will wear contacts on special occasions, or go out of their way to buy nice clothes, and dress in a very particular manner.
So if these aren't the reasons -- they are just quick rationalisations -- what are the honest reasons people aren't getting this surgery? Are they all paranoiacs afraid to make any significant change in their lives? Do they wish to continue walking with a crutch their whole lives because they have become used to it? Do they feel their identity is closely tied to being a glasses wearer?
What's the reason?
<Mod Edit - Formatted the subject as a question - Please do this to help keep the forum tidy and easier to navigate, thanks!>
ummm....i don't find my glasses disabling or unattractive. and i don't know where you live....but that surgery is incredibly expensive and not covered by most insurance. closer to $5,000 for a good certified surgeon, not $500. plus my grandma had it, both of her eyes got infected, and her eyes are worse now...only she's now nearsighted instead of farsighted. i'd rather wear my glasses or contacts.
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i'm almost insulted that you're saying that because i don't want to have a surgery that is not at all necessary that i'm afraid to make changes in my life and that i'm relying on a crutch. but i'll shut up now because i don't want to start a fight.
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i'm almost insulted that you're saying that because i don't want to have a surgery that is not at all necessary that i'm afraid to make changes in my life and that i'm relying on a crutch. but i'll shut up now because i don't want to start a fight.
That's what you've read into it. Maybe the truth hurts? :O
I keep editing my post not to be mean... maybe I'm just ranting. ;)
Needing to wear glasses -- effectively being blind without the help of an external lens -- is obviously a disability though. That's not a matter of debate.
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"Why do people choose not to have Laser eye surgery?"
Why do people choose any action over another? Some people are comfortable with spectacles, some even wear them to look cool or sexy!
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If these measures do not help, a big portion of SPAM might be the only effective treatment. ... If you choose surgery, your eye care professional may refer you to a specialist to ... Many people who need cataract surgery also have other eye conditions.
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jewellnessa@gmail.com
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