The short answer
Glasses are the safest way to correct sight and carry almost no risk. Contact lenses give freedom from frames but carry a small, ongoing risk of eye infection, especially with poor hygiene, tap water or sleeping in them. LASIK is a one-off procedure with its own small risks that can free you from daily correction for distance, but it does not stop the need for reading glasses with age. The right choice depends on your eyes, your work and how you live.
Ask about laser eye surgeryMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Glasses
No risk to the eye itself. They protect against dust and wind, which counts in harmattan and on Lagos roads. The downsides are practical: breaking, losing, steaming up, and some jobs and sports where they are a nuisance. Prescriptions need updating.
Contact lenses
They give natural vision without frames, but the eye is in contact with a lens every day. Infection of the cornea is uncommon but can be serious, and the risk rises with poor lens hygiene. In hot, dusty conditions, and where clean water and solution are not always available, they need extra care.
- Never rinse lenses or cases in tap or sachet water
- Never sleep in lenses unless they are designed for it and your eye doctor agrees
- Replace lenses and cases on schedule
- Take them out and see a doctor promptly if the eye becomes red and painful
LASIK and other laser surgery
One procedure can give lasting freedom from daily correction for many people. You trade a small one-off risk, and possible dry eye or night glare, for no ongoing lens risk. Your eyes still age: from the mid-forties most people need reading glasses whatever they did before. Some people still need glasses for some tasks after laser.
Thinking about cost
Glasses and lenses are an ongoing cost; laser is a larger cost at once. Compare honestly over several years, including the solution and lens replacements, and remember that laser is not covered by most HMO plans.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
Will LASIK mean I never need glasses?
Not necessarily. Most people still need reading glasses later in life, and some need a weak prescription for some tasks.
Are contact lenses safe in Nigeria's heat and dust?
They can be, with careful hygiene, clean solution and sunglasses outdoors. If clean water and solution are hard to get, glasses are the safer daily option.
Can I have LASIK after years of contact lenses?
Usually yes. You will be asked to stop lenses for a period before the assessment so the cornea returns to its natural shape.
How do I find out if I am suitable?
Book an assessment with a verified eye specialist on Mezo. You get a written quote if laser suits you.
The procedures
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Photorefractive (laser) surgery for the correction of refractive errors. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- LASIK: laser eye surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patient information.
- Short-sightedness (myopia). NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.