In the first decade of the 21st Century, our options are becoming almost limitless. Millions of people are giving up on reading glasses and taking advantage of lasers with procedures like Custom LASIK surgery, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

There are many advantages to using reading glasses, they are portable, and you can put them on or remove them as needed. Reading glasses perform their job well. They allow you to see things at close range, and are good for activities like sewing, reading, model building, or anything involving your near vision. As you age, your ability to focus on things nearby worsens, a condition called presbyopia. They are less convenient when you find yourself switching glasses for near and distance vision, or having to change magnifying strength or even your prescription frequently. A major tipping point leading people to finally elect LASIK is when they have to switch to progressive lenses.

There are numerous types of laser refractive surgery from which to chose, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, and Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK). Since both reading glasses and LASIK help improve vision, there must be a point at which people decide to undergo the procedure and put away their reading glasses. The choice between convenience and the expense of the surgery is one of the main considerations people must make when deciding on surgery.

Some studies indicate that when you add up the total cost of your ophthalmologist visits, the price of your glasses and frames, prescription sunglasses and all the sundry accessories that go with wearing glasses, you could pay for a laser refractive surgery in approximately three years. The cost and inconvenience of wearing and maintaining contact lenses is even greater.

Approximately one million people per year elect to undergo LASIK vision correction in the hope that they will have permanent vision correction. Anywhere from 54 to 84 percent of people experience satisfactory results, depending on which studies you read. A high number of patients have their vision corrected to 20/40 vision, which is good enough to pass most drivers' license exams, and many are corrected to 20/20 vision.

Like all surgical procedures, LASIK and other laser refractive surgeries have certain risks and complications. The majority of people who are dissatisfied with their LASIK results went into the procedure with unrealistic expectations and actually experience good vision correction. A few people experience problems with night vision issues, infection, or improperly healed corneal flaps, but the percentages are small and can be greatly reduced by finding a highly qualified laser vision surgeon in your area.

If you are tired of your reading glasses and are looking for a permanent vision correction option, don't let the cost of the procedure hold you back. The procedure can pay for itself in just a few years. Many vision centers offer other financing options that can help you spread out the payments. While most insurance companies do not cover laser vision correction, many companies offer cafeteria plans with medical savings accounts that can be used to defray some, if not all of the costs. It is important to find an experienced laser vision specialist who is qualified to use the latest laser technology.

If you are in the San Diego, Scripps Ranch, or La Jolla, California area, please contact Dr. Paul Huynh for an initial LASIK consultation.