When it comes to correcting your eyesight, there’s a lot of things to consider. Not just because you want to see your best, but because you want to see your best with the greatest amount of comfort, convenience, and an aesthetic that best complements your facial features. Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Or have you chosen to get rid of your lenses and get laser eye surgery? We’ve got all you need to know to help you find the best vision correction option for your eyes.
How to Selecting the right frames for you
Eyeglasses are very individual, especially because they’ve come in and out of fashion multiple times throughout the history of pop culture, and because they undeniably alter your appearance. Because of this, it can be hard to find the right glasses frame that fits your style.
Based on your tastes and the assistance of a qualified glasses fitting technician, this change in appearance can be a welcomed enhancement of your look and style. When picking out frames it’s important to consider the shape and size of your face and eyes, as well as their respective color hues. Of even more importance is the size and weight of the lenses you require, how they might fit into various frames and, ultimately, sit on your face. Consult with an optician to best combine your aesthetic preferences with an ideal fit.
What are the pros of eyeglasses?
• They last a long time if well-cared for.
• Frames are durable, depending on their make.
• You can get valuable lens enhancements like UV coatings, scratch resistance, and more.
• Eyeglass frames come in many different colors and styles
• Your glasses can help add class and sophistication to your look
• Easy to use: 1.) Place the glasses on your face. 2.) See more clearly.
• There are no hygiene risks.
• Glasses are a low maintenance vision correction method.
What are the cons of eyeglasses?
• Glasses can be easy to lose and breakable (buy a case!).
• The lenses in eyeglasses fog up easily.
• They may need frequent adjustments from an optician due to daily normal wear.
• There are fewer peripheral vision benefits.
• Glasses may be bulky and/or uncomfortable for some people.
• It’s possible for them to slide off your nose when you sweat.
• Lenses can be scratched, depending on their material.
• Eyeglasses are not always ideal for physical activities.
• There can be a magnifying effect and glare of the lenses.
How to choose the right contacts for you
You’ve got a lot to gain from some well-fitted contact lenses. Choosing the right contacts is 100% contingent upon you having a properly fitted contact lens with the correct prescription, as determined by your eye doctor. Do not make assumptions about your eyes and your eye prescription, simply to order cheaper contact lenses online. This could lead to injuries and infections that cause long-term damage to your eyes and vision. Unlike glasses, contact lenses are considered a medical device and should be treated with care.
What are the pros of contact lenses:
• Contacts give you a much wider range of peripheral vision correction.
• There is no discomfort on the bridge of your nose or behind your ears.
• Contact lenses are better for sports and physical activities.
• They give a natural, unobstructed view of your face and eyes.
• With contacts there is no glare or magnifying effect of the lenses.
• They do not slide off your face or move around.
• Generally, properly fitted contacts will stay in place directly over your corneas.
What are the cons of contact lenses:
• Contacts can be higher maintenance compared to eyeglasses.
• They require multiple accessories.
• Contact lenses require a hygiene routine to help minimize any risk of eye infections.
• They need to be fitted to your specific eye shape and size.
• Putting contacts in and out of your eyes can take some getting used to.
• Contact lenses are typically more expensive than eyeglasses over a longer time period.
What is LASIK or laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery, often called refractive surgery, uses a specialized laser to reshape the cornea–the clear, front part of the eye so that light can focus properly on the retina. This improves vision and, in many cases, reduces or eliminates the need for corrective lenses. One of the most common types of laser eye surgery is LASIK.
Laser eye surgery has become a popular vision correction option for people looking to ditch glasses and contact lenses. This quick and effective procedure can correct common vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. But is laser eye surgery the right choice for you and your vision? Let’s take a closer look at how it works, along with its advantages and potential drawbacks.
What are the pros of LASIK?
• Permanent vision correction.
• LASIK has consistent, high-quality vision improvement
• More than 96% of people were satisfied with their vision following LASIK.
• Low risk of injury, complications, or worsening of the vision problems.
• Financing eye correction surgery is usually a possibility over a period of 6 to 24 months.
• After LASIK, people typically do not have to wear prescription lenses.
• VSP® Individual Vision Plans provides opportunities to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
What are the cons of LASIK?
• The risks are extremely low, but risks are severe should they occur.
• There is a small recovery time of a day or so of rest after LASIK.
• LASIK eye surgery can be more expensive than other vision correction options.
• There can be a psychological burden of having a surgery.
• There will be permanent changes if something should go wrong.
• Not everybody is eligible for LASIK.
• Most vision insurance companies consider this an elective cosmetic surgery.
How can you find a reputable LASIK center?
While it can already be a bit disconcerting to think that someone is going to use a laser to change the shape of your eyes for better vision, it can also be overwhelming to find the LASIK center that’s up to the task and will treat your eyes with the utmost care.
First, you will need a prescreening by a certified professional. This is to ensure that your eyes are indeed suited for laser eye surgery. If your eyes have certain physical characteristics or abnormalities, then you may not be eligible. The laser, after all, can only cut away tissue to change the shape of your eyes. If your corneas are particularly thin, this could be a major risk to your eyes and vision. Many in-network VSP eye doctors are also certified laser vision care doctors and can do this prescreening for you. Otherwise, they’ll refer you to a trusted in-network colleague of theirs.
The next step is to find the laser vision center that will perform the surgery itself. VSP maintains a comprehensive list of these LASIK centers throughout the country, which are preapproved for their quality, credibility, and safety practices.
All that’s left to do now is to schedule an eye exam with your optometrist and discuss the options you think may be best for your eyes.
If you don’t have vision insurance, find out how VSP Individual Vision Plans can help you save on your next eye exam or pair of glasses. To discover the best vision insurance, you don’t need to look further than a vision plan from VSP.
Reviewed by Dr. Gabriela Olivares, O.D:
Dr. This blog was reviewed by VSP network doctor, Gabriela Olivares, O.D. Dr. Olivares earned her degree in Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in 2014. Her undergraduate schooling was completed at the University of Central Florida, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. She currently works at a private practice with five other optometrists in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans’ social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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