Laser vision correction vs. glasses or contact lenses: advantages and disadvantages of vision correction at a glance

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses and are wondering whether laser eye surgery would be the better option for you? In our article, we compare the most common visual aids – glasses and contact lenses – with modern laser eye surgery. You will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each method, how safe laser eye surgery really is and whether the investment is worthwhile in the long term. With a sample calculation, we show that laser eye surgery not only offers financial benefits, but also an invaluable improvement in quality of life. Immerse yourself in the world of vision correction and discover which solution suits you best!

Glasses – correction of defective vision with varifocals, reading glasses, etc.

Glasses are the most common and simplest method of correcting visual defects such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. They work by changing the refractive power of the eye so that the light hits the retina correctly. This enables sharp vision, whether near or far. People with poor eyesight usually need glasses to compensate for the visual defect and improve visual acuity.

There are different types of glasses, depending on the type of visual impairment and individual needs:

• Single-vision glasses: Corrects short-sightedness or long-sightedness.
• Varifocals: Enable sharp vision at all distances and are often used for presbyopia.
• Reading glasses: Especially for close-up vision, often necessary from the age of 40.
• Screen glasses: Optimized for people who work a lot at the computer.
• Special glasses: E.g. glasses for people with astigmatism or multifocal lenses that correct several areas of vision.

These different types of glasses offer comfortable correction of defective vision without the need for medical intervention such as laser eye surgery.

Advantages of glasses

• Easy to use: Compared to contact lenses or surgery, wearing glasses does not require any special procedures. They are easy to put on and take off.
• No side effects: Glasses do not directly affect the eye, which eliminates the risk of side effects such as dry eyes or infections, which can occur when wearing contact lenses, for example.
• Eye protection: glasses not only protect the eyes from dust and foreign objects, but can also be fitted with special lenses that protect against UV rays or blue light (e.g. when working at a computer screen).
• Correction of various visual impairments: Glasses can correct both short-sightedness and long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia at the same time, for example with varifocals or multifocal lenses.
• No age restrictions: glasses are suitable for people of all ages, whether for children with poor eyesight or older people with presbyopia.

Disadvantages of glasses

• Restricted field of vision: In contrast to contact lenses or a life without visual aids, the spectacle frame restricts peripheral vision. Areas outside the lenses often appear blurred.
• Aesthetic aspects: Many people find wearing glasses unaesthetic or distracting on the face, especially on special occasions or during sporting activities.
• Lens fogging: Lenses tend to fog up when the temperature changes (e.g. when entering a warm room in winter), making it temporarily difficult to see.
• Weight and pressure points: Glasses can cause uncomfortable pressure points on the nose and ears, especially when worn for long periods. Heavier glasses can also impair the wearing comfort.
• Dependency: As glasses are required to see clearly, they must always be to hand. If they are misplaced or damaged, you are dependent on a replacement pair of glasses.
• Costs for regular replacement: If your visual acuity changes, lenses need to be adjusted regularly. This means that new lenses or even frames have to be purchased again and again over time.

Contact lenses: vision through lenses in the eye

Contact lenses are a popular alternative to glasses and offer flexible correction of visual defects such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism. Unlike glasses, contact lenses lie directly on the cornea of the eye and thus change the refractive power so that light falls correctly on the retina and sharp vision is possible. People with defective vision who do not want to wear glasses often turn to contact lenses to correct their visual impairment.

There are different types of contact lenses that can be selected depending on your needs and wearing habits:

• Daily lenses: Disposable lenses that are changed daily and are ideal for occasional users.
• Monthly lenses: These lenses can be worn for a month, but must be cleaned daily.
• Rigid lenses: Also known as hard lenses, they offer a long-term solution for people with particular visual impairments such as severe astigmatism.
• Multifocal contact lenses: These lenses are intended for presbyopia and enable clear vision at different distances.
• Day and night lenses: Some lenses are specially developed for continuous wear and can also be worn overnight, but must be checked and adjusted regularly.

Advantages of contact lenses

• Unrestricted field of vision: As contact lenses sit directly on the eye, they allow a complete, unrestricted field of vision without the view being impaired by spectacle frames or lenses.
• Aesthetics: Contact lenses are invisible and therefore do not alter the external appearance. For many people who are bothered by glasses, they are the preferred choice.
• Ideal for sporting activities: Contact lenses offer a clear advantage when doing sports, as they do not slip or fog up and do not put pressure on the nose and ears.
• No annoying reflections: Unlike spectacle lenses, contact lenses do not produce annoying reflections or glare, especially in poor lighting conditions or at night.
• Adaptation to individual visual impairments: Contact lenses can be fitted specifically for various visual impairments (short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism) and even for presbyopia (multifocal lenses).
• Styling freedom: As contact lenses leave the face free, you can wear sunglasses or change your style without having to worry about your eyesight.

Disadvantages of contact lenses

• Increased risk of infection: As contact lenses lie directly on the eye, infections can occur more easily, especially if the lenses are not cleaned carefully or are worn for too long. Bacteria can colonize the lens and lead to inflammation.
• Dry eyes: Many people suffer from dry eyes when wearing contact lenses, as the lenses can affect the tear film and reduce the eye’s natural moisture.
• Regular care required: Contact lenses require daily cleaning and disinfection to protect the eyes from infection. This care is time-consuming and can be tedious in the long run.
• Limited wearing time: Even modern lenses cannot be worn indefinitely. Most contact lenses need to be removed after a certain period of time (e.g. at the end of the day) to allow the eye to recover.
• Intolerance in some people: Some people do not tolerate contact lenses well and react with redness, itching or other discomfort. Contact lenses can cause problems for sensitive eyes in particular.
• Lost lenses: Soft lenses in particular can slip out of place in the eye or fall out unnoticed, which can lead to a temporary impairment of vision and can be annoying.

Laser eye surgery instead of visual aids: Laser surgery for a permanent life without glasses and contact lenses

Laser eye surgery is a modern method of permanently correcting vision defects such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. Unlike glasses or contact lenses, which only provide clear vision temporarily, laser eye treatment offers a long-term solution. A precise laser is used to change the shape of the cornea so that the light hits the retina correctly again and sharp vision is possible without visual aids.

There are various state-of-the-art procedures that differ depending on individual needs and the condition of the eye:

• Trans-PRK (7D): A gentle method in which the top layer of the cornea is removed and the underlying layer is corrected with a laser. This method is particularly suitable for patients with thin corneas.
• Femto-LASIK (7D): A widely used procedure in which a corneal flap is precisely cut with a femtosecond laser. The tissue underneath is processed with an excimer laser. The flap is then folded back again, resulting in rapid healing.
• SmartSight (ReLEx SMILE): A minimally invasive method in which a small lenticule is removed from the cornea. This technique does not require a flap and is particularly gentle on the eye, resulting in fewer side effects such as dry eyes.

These different procedures make it possible to tailor the treatment method to the individual patient and thus achieve optimal correction of visual impairment. Thanks to laser eye surgery, life without glasses or contact lenses is becoming a reality for many people.

Advantages and disadvantages of laser eye surgery

Advantages:

• Permanent correction of visual impairment: Once lasered, most patients enjoy a life without visual aids, as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism can be permanently corrected.
• Fast results: Shortly after the procedure, most people can see much better, and full visual acuity is often achieved within a few days.
• Pain-free treatment: Modern procedures such as Femto-LASIK or SmartSight (ReLEx SMILE) are practically pain-free, both during the procedure and in the healing phase.
• Minimal intervention: As this is a laser treatment, the cornea of the eye is corrected without the use of scalpels, resulting in a quick recovery and low complication rates.
• Independence from glasses or contact lenses: Many people appreciate the freedom of being able to do without visual aids after surgery – whether for sports, traveling or everyday life.

Disadvantages:

• Dry eyes: After the procedure, many patients may temporarily suffer from dry eyes as the tear film is impaired. In most cases, however, this regulates itself after a few weeks.
• Possible side effects: As with any medical procedure, there are risks, even if they are rare. These include infections, slight visual impairments such as halos or glare, especially at night.
• Not suitable for everyone: People with very thin corneas or certain eye conditions, such as keratoconus, may not be good candidates for laser eye surgery. A thorough preliminary examination is therefore essential.
• Long-term stability: Although the result remains stable in most patients, in rare cases the visual impairment may worsen slightly again and a follow-up correction may be necessary.

How safe is laser eye surgery?

Today, laser eye surgery is considered one of the safest and most effective methods for correcting visual defects. Thanks to modern technologies and many years of experience, laser eye treatment is a routine procedure in refractive surgery. Nevertheless, it is a medical procedure and, as with any operation, there are certain risks and possible side effects, although these rarely occur.

Risks and side effects:

• Dry eyes: One of the most common side effects after laser eye surgery is the occurrence of dry eyes. Many patients experience a temporary reduction in the tear film, which can lead to a feeling of dryness. This occurs particularly with procedures such as LASIK, as the nerves of the cornea are temporarily impaired. This can usually be treated with eye drops and subsides after a few weeks.
• Halos and glare effects: Some patients report light phenomena such as halos (rings of light around light sources) or increased sensitivity to glare after treatment, particularly at night. These symptoms often occur in the first few weeks after the procedure and in most cases disappear within six months.
• Infections: The risk of infection is extremely low with laser eye surgery but, as with any operation, is around 1%. Modern laser procedures such as Femto-LASIK and SmartSight minimize this risk thanks to their precise and minimally invasive technique. In addition, antibiotic eye drops are administered during the healing phase to prevent infections.
• Under- or overcorrection: In rare cases, the desired vision correction may not be fully achieved. This affects around 2 to 5 % of patients. If this happens, a subsequent correction can be performed to optimize visual acuity.
• Fluctuating vision: In the first few weeks after the procedure, there may be fluctuations in visual acuity as the eye adapts to the new refractive power. These fluctuations are normal and usually disappear within one to three months.

Cost comparison: How much does laser vision correction cost compared to glasses or contact lenses?

The decision between laser eye surgery and wearing glasses or contact lenses for the rest of your life is not only a question of comfort and aesthetics, but also of cost. While laser vision correction may seem like a large one-off investment at first glance, it often proves to be the more cost-effective solution in the long term compared to the ongoing costs of glasses or contact lenses. In addition, there is the invaluable advantage of a life without visual aids.

Example calculation: Costs for glasses and contact lenses over 10 years

Glasses:

• High-quality glasses with varifocal lenses or special lenses for astigmatism cost between 500 and 1,000 euros on average. As visual acuity changes over the years, it is common to purchase new lenses every two to three years.
  • Costs for glasses over 10 years: 2 pairs of glasses at 800 euros each = 1,600 euros (without extras such as coatings or special lenses).

Contact lenses:

• Anyone who wears contact lenses has annual costs for lenses (monthly lenses or daily lenses) and care products. High-quality monthly lenses cost around 300 to 400 euros a year, including cleaning solutions.
  • Costs for contact lenses over 10 years: 10 years at 350 euros = 3,500 euros.

In addition to the cost of contact lenses, many people also need to have glasses as a backup, which further increases expenses.

Costs of laser eye treatment

The cost of laser vision correction depends on the procedure chosen, but is generally between €2,000 and €2,500 per eye. With the popular Femto-LASIK or SmartSight (ReLEx SMILE) method, you can expect to pay around 4,000 to 5,000 euros for both eyes. However, this is only a one-off investment.

Long-term savings through laser eye surgery

Comparing the costs over a period of 10 years, the following picture emerges:

• Glasses (2 glasses in 10 years): 1,600 euros
• Contact lenses (incl. care products): 3,500 euros
• Combination of glasses and contact lenses: 5,100 euros

In comparison, laser eye surgery costs around 4,000 to 5,000 euros once. Although the amount is higher at first, all future costs for visual aids such as glasses, contact lenses or care products are eliminated after the procedure.

Quality of life: a priceless plus

In addition to the financial benefits, laser eye surgery brings invaluable added value to quality of life. The freedom to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses improves daily life in many ways:

• No constant searching for glasses or inserting and removing contact lenses.
• More comfort when doing sports, traveling and in everyday life – no annoying glasses or dry eyes due to contact lenses.
• No ongoing costs for replacement glasses, lenses or care products.