Source and summary

Richard Korman, Toddi Gutner. (1997, January). Eye Surgery? Take a Close Look. Business Week,(3511), 102. Retrieved March 2, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 10916010).

When correcting nearsightedness the curve of the cornea is flattened. This causes the light to be refracted onto the retina, which is in the back of the eye. This surgery can cost up to $2,500 per eye. This surgery is not covered by insurance. Surgeons believe that the use of glasses and contacts will disappear. There are 66 million people who use glasses and/or contacts.

Types of eyesight problems corrected by LASIK

myopia-nearsightedness This occurs when the eye is too long, causing the focal point occurs too soon.

hyperopia-farsightedness This occurs when the eye is too short, causing the focal point to be beyond where it should be.

astigmatism-when the lens is not perfectly smooth. There could be a rough spot or it could be uneven.

The only thing that LASIK cannot fix or prevent is the loss of eyesight due to old age.

Contacts vs. Glasses vs. LASIK

Glasses were the first form of corrective eye wear, but there are disadvantages to them. Contacts became popular quickly because of the perks they have over glasses. Many people prefer contacts because they make them feel more attractive. Contacts are also better for athletes and active people. LASIK has all of the advantages of contacts and more. The morning hassle of getting the contacts in and the irritation of having them in too long is no longer a problem with LASIK. Besides these physical advantages there is the money savings. Every new pair of glasses and contacts can cost up to $500 (which need to be replaced every two years). LASIK is a life long fix for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

LASIK

This is a great image of LASIK eye surgery showing the steps. All of this can take as little as three minutes per eye.

What I Plan to do....

In this paper I plan to describe the reasons to get LASIK eye surgery, as compared to other means of eyesight correction, such as glasses and contacts. I plan to and already have used the research databases provided by UCA library to find information. With this information I plan to reword and combine with other information from actual medical sites and put it all into a logical and informative research paper.

More on LASIK compared to glasses and contacts

The cost and effort of LASIK eye surgery is a superior way to correct problematic eyesight compared to other methods in the way of overall price, immediate improvement, and overall improvement. According to Michael O’Keeffe eye-sight correction improved greatly when the microscope and laser came into use, the laser was introduced to eye surgery in 1979. O’Keeffe explains that in 1949 Harold Ridley invented what would now be called the contact lens. Today, according to Bob Holmes, in Contact Lenses: See Your Way to Savings, he states that 25 million Americans wear contacts. He goes on to say that this eye correction method could easily cost four thousand dollars over ten years counting the fifteen gallons of solution and the average new pair every two years. Vantrice Briggs gives information on the cost and hassles of eyeglasses in LASIK Vision Correction Surgery Vs. Eyeglasses. Briggs says that the cost of glasses are up to four hundred dollars per pair and most often those are replaced every two years. There have been many scientists that have researched LASIK eye surgery and it’s positive and negative effects. Most often the results after the surgery are remarkably different. There have also been many average people who have researched on their own time to find the “pros and cons” of the surgery for personal use. LASIK usually costs between one thousand to twenty-five hundred dollars but never calls for a “new pair”.

LASIK eye surgery Thesis/Argument

LASIK Eye Surgery: The cost and effort of LASIK eye surgery is a superior way to correct problematic eyesight compared to other methods in the way of overall price, immediate improvement, and overall improvement.