This is a question that most people suffering from short-sightedness (difficulty seeing things far away) think about. Glasses can be a stylish accessory, but their field of vision may be limited. Contact lenses give more freedom, but are harder on the eyes. Laser eye surgery seems expensive and frightening. What to do? KSA Vision Clinic founder and eye surgeon Dr Ants Haavel offers his advice.
Contact lenses – convenience that requires care
There are more people with limited vision than one might expect. In the United States, millions of laser eye procedures are performed every year, and the number of contact lenses and glasses sold annually also runs into the millions. As technology advances, glasses are becoming more fashionable, contact lenses more comfortable, and laser procedures even safer.
Given the increasingly frequent use of all kinds of electronic devices in our daily lives, however, more and more people are experiencing problems with their vision. "Wearing contact lenses is relatively comfortable, but many doctors are sceptical about them. I would not be so radical, as they suit many people," says Ants Haavel.
Based on his own experience, he can say that many people are careless with contact lenses — wearing them for too long, leaving them in overnight, or cleaning them with tap water. "All of these things make the eyes more sensitive, which can cause the eyes to start rejecting the contact lenses," he warns.
Some people's eyes, however, cannot tolerate contact lenses even with correct use. "We have many patients who choose laser eye procedures because they no longer want to wear glasses and their eyes cannot tolerate contact lenses."
Glasses – fashion versus inconvenience
Many people cannot even bear the thought of putting their fingers near their eyes to insert contact lenses. Instead, they choose either glasses or laser eye surgery. "The glasses available today are cool and trendy, and many people wear them as fashion accessories. But it is better to wear glasses by choice rather than out of necessity," smiles Dr Haavel, recounting how some patients ask for non-prescription lenses to be fitted into their favourite frames so they can still wear them from time to time.
Although glasses are fashionable, they can easily break, shift during exercise, or slip down the nose when sweating. They also cannot be worn in the sauna or while swimming. Many people find glasses uncomfortable when travelling.
"Glasses are gentler on the eye than contact lenses, but the field of vision is limited. A person's vision is restricted by the size of the frames, and their peripheral vision is out of focus," explains Dr Haavel.
Patients considering laser eye procedures have high expectations
Once vision has stabilised, general health is in order, and the pre-procedure consultation has given the green light, laser eye surgery can be chosen as a way to be free of vision problems. Decades ago, these operations were performed with a blade, followed by laser surgery in which the cornea (the eye's clear front layer) was cut. Today, the procedure can be performed entirely without contact.
"Yes, eye surgery has advanced in leaps and bounds, and nowadays you can achieve clear vision quickly, safely, and with minimal discomfort," says Dr Haavel. A thorough pre-procedure examination is carried out to achieve the expected outcome. In addition to healthy eyes, the patient's physical and mental health must also be in good order.
"We have been performing procedures for decades and we know that patients must be carefully examined and selected. A positive attitude and outlook have a direct connection to good results and recovery times," explains Ants Haavel, drawing on the experience of KSA Vision Clinic.
"That is why we only perform procedures on ideal candidates. When we tell patients that they are suitable for the Flow procedure, we are confident that we will achieve good results. Around 40 percent of those who come for an initial consultation are not suitable for the procedure." Although this figure may seem high, Dr Haavel does not wish to accept a patient if he will later regret it.
Which option is right for you?
In summary, there is no single answer to what is best — glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery. Everything depends on your lifestyle and the quality of life you are looking for. Some people wear contact lenses happily, others never part with their glasses, while many would do anything to be free of their limited vision. Each to their own.
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