Benefits of Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. Benefits are apparent in many ways. Some refractive problems cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses. In other cases, corrective lenses can be worn but with extreme difficulty. For these people, refractive surgery provides a way to clear vision without battling with visual aids.

Occupational

There are a number of jobs such as flying, firefighting, and police department work that require workers to obtain a high standard of visual acuity without visual aids. Refractive surgery is certainly a solution that would allow such people freedom to pursue the career of their choice without otherwise being restricted by their vision. It is important to understand that individual professional organizations have their own policies on refractive surgery. Anyone who is considering corrective surgery should consult with their potential employer(s) before making a decision. This ensures that surgical correction and intervention is acceptable.

With little or no dependence on glasses or contact lenses, most sports activities are greatly enhanced. No longer does one have to battle with glasses under ski goggles, losing a contact lens while swimming, or spectacles slipping down during a tennis match. Many even find their central and peripheral vision improves, and participation in sports previously found not to be feasible becomes possible.

Cosmetic

Many people feel that glasses distract from their physical appearance. Refractive surgery is certainly a solution to this problem. However, this surgery is generally not encouraged for purely cosmetic reasons.

Psychological

Many people feel handicapped by the restrictions their visual aids set. Some fear the incapacity they would experience if they ever lost their lenses, especially during an emergency. Others feel a low self-esteem because reliance on visual aids makes them feel clumsy, unattractive, or left out of some activities. By reducing or eliminating dependence on visual aids for clear vision, many psychological fears may subside.

Refractive eye surgery is an elective procedure. Insurance companies state it is not a requirement for health or survival. Corrective surgery is a benefit due to modern technology and medicine that can enhance the quality of life. Every type of surgery has its risks, and elective surgeries have additional costs. For you, do the benefits outweigh the risks and costs?

The answer depends as much on your personality, type of occupation, and need, as it does on the results of the surgery.

Since the ultimate decision about proceeding with surgery is yours, the following checklist has been prepared to help you decide whether or not you are the type of person who will most likely be happy with the results of refractive surgery.

You are probably not a good candidate for refractive surgery if one or more of the following statements are true for you:

I like wearing glasses and would feel undressed without them
I have no problem wearing contact lenses, and they give me excellent vision for all activities
My work and/or hobbies require me to consistently pay close attention to fine visual details.
I am the type of person who does not adapt well to change.
I get stressed easily if things don’t happen just the way I plan or expect.
I am a perfectionist.
I would be very disappointed if I did not end up with perfect vision after my surgery, and would consider the whole experience a failure.
If I still needed some correction after surgery and found out that I could not wear contact lenses as easily as before, I would be devastated.
I am accustomed to always having excellent vision with my corrective lenses and never regretted wearing them.
I will not be able to keep up or remember to use medications that prescribe my doctor.

You will most likely be happy with the surgical experience and the results of the surgery if most of the following statements seem true to you:

I feel handicapped by my dependence on corrective lenses to see well
I have not been a very successful contact lens wearer.
I am a very active person who would like the freedom to participate in sports or other activities.
I think I look better without my glasses.
I sometimes fear being incapacitated if I should ever lose my corrective lenses and not be able to function in a crisis situation.
Having fair vision without the need of corrective lenses is more important than having perfect vision with corrective lenses.
I would be happy if my vision was significantly enhanced, even if I still needed to wear corrective lenses part or full time.
I generally adapt well to change.
I will obediently use medications timely when prescribe by my doctor.
I am a pretty easy-going person, and I do not get stressed very often.
I like things to be in order, but I am not a fanatical perfectionist.
It is important for me to see well for my work and hobbies, but I do not consistently need to focus on distant objects.
I would have better career opportunities if I had better natural vision.
I have always envied people who do not need to wear glasses or contact lenses.
I am financially stable and am able to pay for the surgery.