Contacts or Laser Eye Surgery?

Question

Well I'm 16 and have pretty bad and sensitive eyes. I know I can't get laser now, but I'm thinking about it in the future. Right now I hate glasses and want to get contacts. My eyes are sort of sensitive to light. When ever I goto the eye doctor and they want me to keep my eyes open so they can look in them, it's hard. I squint and my eyes water. Would I have a hard time getting contacts in? I don't think I would because I trust myself putting stuff in my eye, but not so much with doctors. Also, if I did get contacts, are they expensive? I think insurance pays for part of my glasses (not sure). My parents always tell me that contacts are too expensive. Are they really that much more money than glasses? Thanks.

Sorry if it was confusing. Just ask and I can edit details.

Answer 1

Light sesitivity would, most likely, have no bearing on your ability to insert and remove contact lenses.

As far as price, it depends on the lenses the doctor fits you with. If all you need is a simple spherical lens (to correct near or farsighted vision) the price isn't so bad. If you need a Toric lens (to correct for Astigmatism) the price tends to get a bit steeper. It also depends on the replacement schedule the doctor recommends. (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, annually) In most cases, insurance gives an allowance for EITHER contacts or glasses within a 12 month period but check with your insurance company to make sure. From experience, a year's worth of contacts and a pair of glasses tend to equal out, but then again, I don't know how often you replace your glasses.

As for the Laser surgery, it's up to you. You will have to have an evaluation done by your optometrist to make sure you are a canidate. Initially, people are happy with the results. However, it's very likely that you will end up in glasses again later in life because your eyes will continue to change, even after having corrective surgery. There are also some rare, but serious, side effects to the surgery that require further study.

Answer 2

Contacts are pretty easy to get in once you get used to them. When I first got them it took me like.. two hours to get them in. Now it takes me a few seconds to a few minutes. I don't have any vision insurance, and they cost me about $60 for 2 packs (1 pack left 1 pack right) that lasts 6 months. I have no idea how much glasses cost as I haven't had them in years.

From what I have read Laser Eye Surgery is quite expensive, and you can have permanent problems with your eyes - like seeing double, only seeing hues of like red and black or something like that, and that sort of stuff. There was something about it on the news herethe other day..