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We may experience natural disasters on a lesser level than regions prone to extreme incidents, but it’s too frightening to fathom what we would do if faced with a tsunami, tornado, or the rushing water of a flash flood in our own Manhattan neighborhood. 

These threats are becoming more prevalent and threatening to people’s lives throughout the world. A little far-fetched – but is it?

Advanced warning enables some degree of preparedness, which varies based on the unpredictability of the storm. If you rely on contacts or glasses to see, you must take extra precautions to protect your eyes and your vision during and following the event.

First responders and other emergency personnel rely on LASIK and other corrective procedures to be confident that their vision is clear and dependable in any environment or situation.

Vision correction with leaders in the industry like Diamond Vision in New York isn’t just a matter of convenience in today’s world – it’s a critical dependency. 

In the chaos of hurricanes, wildfires, or floods, taking simple precautions — like wearing protective eyewear outdoors, avoiding contact lenses when clean water is scarce, and steering clear of contaminated sources for rinsing — can make all the difference, read Optometry Times’ guidance on what patients should know about eye protection during natural disasters.

LASIK for Real‑World Resilience: Seeing Clearly When It Counts Most 

Glasses and contacts are vital assistive vision devices to help you see clearly; however, these can fail in uncertain conditions. Corrective surgery is a permanent solution to poor vision, one that allows clear vision without delay, whether dealing with a power outage, natural disaster, or sudden evacuation.

Consider reasons LASIK laser eye surgery may be the practical solution for peace of mind over the long term, while contacts and glasses present many challenges.  

Eyewear Disappears or Is Damaged In The Chaos

The sudden appearance of a tornado doesn’t leave time to grab glasses or put in contacts. There won’t be time to gather supplies for maintaining the lenses. This is a grab-what-you-can-and-go moment. Glasses can be forgotten or broken in the rush; contacts can be lost.

More than likely, you can’t see well without these aids, which can severely affect your ability to safely drive, identify hazards, or read directions. Even with LASIK, it’s recommended to have glasses as eye protection in emergency situations. Still, there’s no need to fumble for these or waste precious time trying to find them. Your vision is ready to go.

Hassles with Contacts in Harsh Conditions

There are unique problems with contact lenses in emergencies.

• Lack of proper hygiene can cause infection
• Lack of clean water for rinsing lenses or hands
• Eye irritation from smoke, dust, or wind
• Lens solution inaccessible

In a disaster, having sterile conditions needed for safe lens use is virtually impossible. LASIK eliminates the concern.

Around-the-Clock Preparation

Emergency personnel send advanced warnings the moment they know there’s a threat of a storm. Disasters are unpredictable and can strike sooner, later, or in a completely different location any time of the day or night without warning. They don’t wait until you’re awake and alert. 

There’s no time to get your bearings; you must be ready to go on a moment’s notice with vision aids and eye prescriptions in a sealed bag. Any time delay in trying to find these things can have serious consequences. LASIK gives you clear vision even when you just wake up, but it’s important to still be prepared.

The Physical Limitations of Glasses

Glasses are physically limited in the following ways:

• They can break or become damaged when dropped
• They fall off during physical activity, including a rescue attempt
• They fog up with temperature changes

These limitations are risky in an active disaster but can also prove risky in everyday recreation and standard activities of daily living. For instance, driving in inclement weather, hiking to safety, or handling equipment or tools. 

LASIK is an Emergency-Ready Solution

LASIK isn’t right for everyone and does involve its own risks, for many it offers:

• Simplicity and freedom when encountering unpredictable and daily events
• Minimal to no reliance on assistive aids

LASIK is a key part of a survival kit – one less concern when time is precious. Choosing an experienced surgeon and following trusted aftercare guidance, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s LASIK surgery overview, can help protect your vision and support long‑term eye health – follow the overview here LASIK Surgery – American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The following recommendations are offered to have ready and in an accessible place in the event of a natural disaster – an emergency vision care kit.

• A safety kit must be available for each person with vision correction needs
• Prescription glasses with a hard protective case. Glasses with an old prescription are better than not having them. If there are water supply and contamination issues, contact lenses will be unsafe.
• A copy of your vision prescription and any other required scripts sealed in a plastic bag. It will make it much easier to get new glasses if you need them to.

• Extra contacts or daily disposable supply. Safety is a priority when managing and wearing contacts. You must have a clean case and sterile lenses to avoid infections.
• Antibacterial wipes for cleaning glasses.
• Soap and hand sanitizer – contact lens hygiene requires clean hands. Keep paper towels in a resealable bag.
• Have several small bottles contact lens solution available in case there’s contamination after opening.
• Water disinfecting tablets are relatively effective in rendering water safe when the instructions are followed. However, as with any emergency equipment, these should be checked and routinely restocked.

📢  Final Thought

Many people don’t realize how much they rely on clear vision until they’re in a predicament, uncertain situation, or emergency. Glasses and contact lenses can be effective as daily vision solutions; however, they become more of a vulnerability when things go off skew.

Esteemed professionals with Diamond Vision, Lasik near me in New York, strive to keep their patients informed on protective measures and safety tips as storms become more prevalent and destructive. 

In today’s world, LASIK laser eye surgery is more than a convenience; it’s an essential tool in recreation, driving, and potentially dangerous weather conditions.