Eye Update

Went back to the eye doctor for an update. The lumps on the underside of my eye lids and cornea (apparently there were lumps there too!) have reduced in size and I do find that my eyes are less itchy too. Doc advised to refrain from my contacts for another 1-2 weeks for complete healing. =(

Had a bit of a chat with her and I realised that for soft permanent lenses, they need to be changed every year. My current pair is already 1 yr and 9 months old!! Then I asked her about various alternatives since replacing my lenses every year would come up to quite a sum!

1) Disposable lenses
In my case, it's not possible as my astigmatism is very high, about 350 and as far as I know disposable lenses are not available for astigmatism of such a high extent.

2) Soft lenses
I would need to change them every year and must ensure I use them for a period of 12 hours each time or else my eyes will act up again.

Cost per year = roughly $350
Lotion, cleaner, protein remover = $180

3) Hard lenses
My optician keep dissuading me from them, but my eye doc says they are the safest for the eyes and each pair can last up to 3 years with proper care and using for more than 12 hours is possible too.

Cost per year (assuming one pair costs $500) = $167
Lotion, cleaner, protein remover = $180

4) Lasik
Currently, cost of lasik has gone down but considering my high degree and high astigmatism, estimate it to cost roughly $3000. But I did get quite a fair bit of feedback that I gotta manage my expectations if I do lasik that it may not be perfect. There have been horror stories about seeing halos, unclear vision when tired, etc.

5) Glasses
Glasses can last for quite a while, maybe 2-3 years. But of course, one doesn't look so great with it. Somehow I got lots of comments from friends, colleagues, even those from other depts, that I look so different in glasses. Sigh.. Somehow I dun see that as a compliment!

Cost per year (assuming one pair costs $300) = $100

Obviously, glasses is the most economical choice! But did some calculations. Lasik will prob last me maybe 10 years before I get lao hua. So on a time scale of ten years,

Soft lenses will cost $530/year.
Hard lenses will cost $347/year.
Glasses will cost $100/year.
Lasik will cost $300/year.

So what will Em's decision be? Still thinking...