Back when I used to buy eye glasses, I bought three identical pairs from them (same frames and prescription). All three were different, and only one of them was tolerable to wear.
LASIK seems to still have an very healthy margin for the provider, but still worth it. By my calculations, LASIK cost me the same amount that contact lenses would have cost me over the same time period (and that's after searching 30+ retailers for the lowest price on contact lenses).
alex43578•1h ago
The one thing that has stopped me isn’t cost, but the relative risks of serious/permanent side effects. If LASIK generates an issue (dry eyes, pain, inaccurate correction) it’s basically permanent. If contacts are an issue, take them out or swap the brand/prescription. I just couldn’t gamble my vision on the outcome of LASIK.
rationalist•45m ago
True, 99% of people experiencing no negative side-effects does mean that 1% do experience negative side-effects.
I think religiously-following the pre-operating and post-operation instructions is very important, and making sure eye health before the procedure is good enough.
I imagine dry eyes wouldn't be any more inconvenient than having to deal with contacts (and having worse vision without the contacts).
0cf8612b2e1e•1h ago
Meanwhile, I go to ZenniOptical, find a functional pair for $10, and buy eight copies. Never worry about glasses again. Keep a pair in the car, at work, in my luggage, and let them diffuse around the house.
umeshunni•20m ago
I did that for my reading glasses, but for shortsightedness, especially as an astigmatic, I find it hard to buy glasses or frames without actually wearing them. Curious what your strategy is.
hazbot•13m ago
Thankyou, this is the comment I came here for - advice on alternatives!
rationalist•2h ago
Back when I used to buy eye glasses, I bought three identical pairs from them (same frames and prescription). All three were different, and only one of them was tolerable to wear.
LASIK seems to still have an very healthy margin for the provider, but still worth it. By my calculations, LASIK cost me the same amount that contact lenses would have cost me over the same time period (and that's after searching 30+ retailers for the lowest price on contact lenses).
alex43578•1h ago
rationalist•45m ago
I think religiously-following the pre-operating and post-operation instructions is very important, and making sure eye health before the procedure is good enough.
I imagine dry eyes wouldn't be any more inconvenient than having to deal with contacts (and having worse vision without the contacts).