Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

Can you afford Laser Eye Surgery? Most insurance plans won’t cover the price since it is an elective surgery and really considered cosmetic surgery. There are exceptions, however, but in most cases insurance won’t pay.

Eye Surgery Cost

Laser eye surgery cost analysis demonstrates a wide variety of prices and an even wider variety of what is included in the cost of the surgery. For example, is the initial consultation and examination included in the price should you elect the surgery? Are post-operative visits included in the price? How many? What about the eye drops used during the surgery? Some laser surgery centers charge as much as $100 for those drops.

Laser eye surgery cost varies widely from one doctor’s office to another and depends on several different factors. The only stable standard is that all providers quote a laser eye surgery price per eye.

Lasik Eye Surgery Cost

The advertised price is also subject to wide variation. Although there are advertisements that claim they offer LASIK eye surgery from $500 per eye, most people are not eligible for that cost or need extensive correction and treatment after surgery. Actually, it has been shown that only about three percent of all LASIK providers have a laser eye surgery cost lower than $1000 per eye.

Repeat after me: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We’ve heard that line countless times, usually when someone is talking about a scam. You would think we would learn to read the fine print but then again, it’s gotten so fine, many of us can’t even see it. So we go by the big sign: Lasik Surgery only $299.

Lasik eye surgery price lists usually range from about $1500 to $2500 for one eye. How then can anyone afford to offer the same surgery at a fraction of the cost. They can’t and they don’t and you should know what to look for.

For example, the Lasik Vision Institute advertises Lasik surgery on one eye from $299. While the fine print lists an incremental rise in the price depending on the level of myopia, you must also qualify for the promotion by having good credit. The Lasik Vision Institute has previously been found guilty for operating a bait and switch tactic whereby patients were lured in by the low price but were then told they didn’t qualify for it. Lasik eye surgery price promotions like these usually come to light sooner or later.

Understanding Lasik eye surgery risk is vital if you’re intending on having eye surgery procedure.

There is a lot of information available on the benefits of Lasik yet it’s important to go in with “eyes wide open.” In other words, while it’s a very safe procedure this doesn’t mean there is no risk factor. The truth is, there is.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the complications which can occur during Lasik. Understand, some of these are minor and can easily be rectified while others are more serious.

Lasik Eye Surgery Risks

- Losing vision is obviously the biggest fear most people undergoing eye surgery have. Can it occur? Well, it’s a risk but if you have gone through the proper screening methods and qualify for the surgery then the risk is minimal. But it’s still a risk. Loss of vision could be anything from minor to major loss.

- There is a risk of developing visual symptoms. Halos, double vision and vision glare which can affect night time vision are some of the visual symptoms which you are at risk of. After the treatment even if you had a good vision on the vision chart it is possible, in situation of low contrast, not to see as well as before the treatment.

- Additional treatment could be required following surgery. Aids such as contact lenses and glasses could still be needed. This is an area you need to understand. Thinking you’ll automatically get back 20/20 vision is optimistic and is something you should discuss with your doctor.

- Dry Eye… After the surgery your eye may not produce enough tears to moisture itself and besides discomfort it can reduce the visual quality because of intermittent blurring and other symptoms. This condition may not be permanent and you may be required to use procedures such as use of plugs and intensive drop therapy.

These are just a few of the Lasik eye surgery risk that exist. It’s important to discuss risk with your doctor. The bottom line is, Lasik is relatively safe with minimal risk. Pre-screening methods are and should be thorough because the truth is, you really need to be suitable for this procedure before going under the laser.

It’s becoming unusual not to know somebody today who hasn’t experienced the benefits of Lasik eye surgery.

Lasik eye surgery procedure has been promoted as being painless yet very effective in the majority of instances. It’s one of the safest surgery procedures a person can undergo yet as with all surgical procedures, there is always an element of risk involved.

Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure Criteria

There are some qualifying guidelines a patient must satisfy before they even make it to the surgeon’s operating theater. In the USA for example, you need to satisfy criteria set out by the American Academy of Opthalmology. For example:

- the procedure is not done on anyone under the age of 18 since the vision of those under 18 tends to still evolve and possibly change or improve given time.

- surgery on women in pregnancy or nursing is considered as these biological conditions can actually change the makeup of the eye and alter the shape of the eyeball.

- eyes need to be in a satisfactory state; in other words, must satisfy the surgeons pre-testing scrutiny.

These are just some of the criteria which need to be scrutinized before a patient is allowed to under the Lasik eye surgery procedure. If none of the above are required from you during the pre-screening stage and it’s suggested you are a good candidate without proper screening, then it might be a good idea to find another surgeon.

The Surgery Process

The process actually takes very little time at all. In some respects, it’s the easy part for patients. This is especially so considering the sometimes lengthy screening process a person needs to undergo.

Here’s a brief rundown of the procedure:

- Lasik is a painless procedure.

- It involves the use of a local anaesthetic which is a simple drop on the eye surface.

- Time of the surgery can vary according to the needs of the patient with some cases completed in a minute or less. Generally, the Lasik eye surgery procedure will take up to ten minutes or more per eye.

- The flap on the cornea is cut by a special device and lifted out of the way. The surgeon then goes to work re-shaping the tissue beneath the flap and when completed, the flap is replaced.

- No stitches or sutures are required and the flap automatically heals itself and reattaches to the corneal tissue almost immediately. A shield is placed over the eye to protect the cornea while the healing process takes place.

The recovery time can vary from patient to patient. The majority of patients can head straight home however, it’s recommended someone be with them at this time because blurred vision can hamper a person until the eye settles down.

The standard recovery time following Lasik eye surgery procedure is several days and may even require a follow up visit to the doctor. If there is discomfort, this is allevaited through the use of medication.

One of the most important benefits of lasik eye surgery is the rapid recovery it offers its patients. This is one of the major reasons why many people are now willing to undergo the said procedure. The time necessary to recover from the corrective eye surgery will determine when you can return to your normal activities and to your work.

Recovery from %LINK is generally fast, ranging anywhere from a few days to a few months. Specifically, LASIK eye surgery can produce faster recovery than older forms of corrective eye surgery, such as PRK.

After the corrective eye surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room for a couple of hours. During this time, the anesthesia instilled in your eye will gradually wear off, and you may feel a tingling or burning sensation, as if dust or debris is in your eye. Typically, you will also experience blurring of vision during the first day. At the recovery room, you will be allowed to adjust to the immediate effects of the laser eye surgery. You will be allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery. Before going home, you will be instructed by your physician on what medications to take and how to apply them.

At home, you may experience minimal discomfort for several days. You may be given pain relievers for this discomfort. Usually, the eye discomfort decreases after a day or two. You will also have to instill topical medications, specifically antibiotics, in your eye. Most ophthalmologists also suggest the use of eyedrops after laser eye surgery, to lessen the occurrence of dry eye syndrome. You will also be asked to protect your eye with a path or an eye shield, especially when you are sleeping at night.

In a couple of days, you will be able to go back to your usual activities, such as work, driving and sports. Your vision will have cleared up significantly by then. However, you may still experience fluctuations in your vision at this time. It may take a few months before your vision stabilizes. Before your vision has fully stabilized, you may experience a variety of symptoms, such as glare, halos, and sensitivity to light, to name a few. This is quite common for the first few months; however, if these symptoms persist 6 months after the corrective eye surgery, you should inform your ophthalmologist immediately.

It’s understandable many people would be drawn in by a Lasik eye surgery price well below the normal pricing. If it sounds to good to be true then it probably is.

It’s a case of buyer beware. If Lasik eye surgery price normally costs from $1500 and beyond then why are we bombarded with advertising suggesting you can get it for less than three times the price.

First lesson here is to read the fine print. The advertised price is usually a clever piece of marketing to attract your attention but if you’re thinking that’s all you’re going to pay then think again. Be careful of what is know as a bait and switch tactic. Basically, you are attracted by the low price yet many are told they don’t qualify for it when they enquire and are then targeted for the infamous upsell.

While the fine print lists an incremental rise in the price depending on the level of myopia, you must also qualify for the promotion by having good credit. Just be aware that unless you read the fine print in these “too good to be true” promotions you are more than likely going to be very disappointed.

Buyer Beware

Anytime you see Lasik eye surgery advertised at these prices realize:

- there’s probably more going on than meets the eye

- look out for hidden restrictions in such Lasik eye surgery price promotions

- never agree to a non-refundable deposit and ask for all the terms in writing.

- it’s also important to know what kind of follow-up care is available and if it is included in the price.

Look For Quality

It’s quite conceivable the discounted Lasik eye surgery price which attracted you in the first place won’t be very discounted at all. The cost can balloon out after all the extra costs are factored in in the end, you end up paying close to, if not more than you would traditionally.

The bottom line is, pricing shouldn’t be your primary concern. Choosing a well-established trusted eye surgeon who has your best interests in mind should concern you more than the cost of the procedure.

If you have no experience in selecting an eye surgeon then you’re not alone. One of the best ways to get respected advice is to simply ask your doctor. Ask for referrals and also speak to people you know who have had eye surgery and were happy with the result.

The Better Business Bureau is another resource you can utilize just to get the “low down” on a surgeon or eye surgery center. This is such a vital part of the entire process that it’s worth taking the time to satisfy your concerns.

And remember, when you go through the evaluation period be wary of those who want to charge you “an arm and a leg.” The initial consultation at worst, should only set you back a nominal fee and should be a small part of the overall Lasik eye surgery price quote.

The answer is, unfortunately, no. corrective eye surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and health insurance plans. This is because vision eye corrective surgery are elective and in the eyes of insurance companies, not medically necessary. Still, some companies are willing to foot the bill under certain instances. Other companies may also provide coverage for some types of laser eye surgeries.

The instances under which companies are willing to cover laser eye surgery are: if the vision surgery will be used to correct visual errors that have come as a result of some injury or if the refractive errors are a result of surgical errors. Eye surgeries when a patient cannot wear glasses or contacts due to physical constraints like deformities, allergies or lens intolerance are also covered by insurance companies. Some eye surgeries for severe visual impediments are covered by insurance companies but the circumstances under which companies are willing to pay may vary. Check with your insurance provider to find out what kinds of visual impediments they consider medically necessary.

Patients should also check with their employers because some employers have special arrangements with some Lasik centers or refractive surgery centers. Tax deductions are also provided for by some companies. Keep in mind that it’s not a very good idea to target surgeons based solely on their fees. A fee is of course an important factor when considering your surgery but you don’t want to end up with a surgeon who may be charging less but whose qualifications are questionable. You might end up spending much more just to pay for further corrective surgery. A good strategy in planning your surgery is to find the best surgeon that you can and then think of the most affordable financing.
Financing is available for some types of refractive eye surgeries like Lasik. Some insurance companies provide plans for elective procedures, or procedures deemed as cosmetic. They have payment schemes and fixed rates that are worth looking into. A lot of Lasik surgery centers these days also work with insurance companies to assure patients that they can have the best care possible. Large companies, like Microsoft, are currently offering health plans that include Lasik surgery. It won’t hurt to ask your company about the benefits that they offer for such procedures. Laser surgeries cost about a thousand dollars per eye but with a little strategizing you’re bound to find financing for your eye care needs.

When undergoing any form of corrective eye surgery, it is important that you know what to expect after the surgery. As with any other forms of surgery, laser correction surgery results in a number of complications. The most common form of risks experienced by patients who undergo laser eye surgery are higher-order aberrations.

Higher-order aberrations are problems in your eye sight that cannot be diagnosed in a typical eye examination. Examples of these so-called higher-order aberrations include halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting and even double vision.

Not only are higher-order aberrations very irritating, but if severe enough, they can cause severe impairment in one’s eyes. Severe cases of higher-order aberrations have resulted in almost complete loss of contrast enhancement, especially when lighting is inadequate.

In the past, corrective eye surgery almost always produced higher-order aberrations. The bad thing is with older techniques is that the higher-order aberrations they tended to produce sometimes cannot be corrected with the use of glasses or contact lenses. With the innovation of the latest techniques involving the use of the excimer laser, such as LASIK, the occurrence of these higher-order aberrations has also decreased significantly. Nowadays, wavefront technology used in laser eye surgery is able to minimize the occurrence of these higher-order aberrations.

There is one thing that has been determined to increase the risk of developing higher-order aberrations: pupil size. Researches revealed that the bigger the size of the pupil, the higher the risk that the patient will develop these higher-order aberrations. This is the reason why a patient who has undergone laser eye surgery has better vision during the day – because the pupil is smaller during the day than at night. When the pupil gets bigger, light is able to pass through the edge of the corneal flap that was created during surgery. This causes the occurrence of higher-order aberrations.

Typically, these higher-order aberrations resolve on its own, given enough time; in most instances, higher-order aberrations are already resolved 6 months after the laser eye surgery. If any of these higher-order aberrations persist past the 6-month mark, the aberrations are likely to be permanent and may require additional treatment; thus, it is essential that you consult your ophthalmologist regarding these complications.

Treatment of mild forms of higher-order aberrations is via the use of corrective lenses; however, more severe forms may require repeat surgery. Higher-order aberrations can be measured and treated with wavefront technology. Wavefront-guided customized laser eye surgery is the best way to manage these higher-order aberrations.

It’s expected lasik eye surgery cost will continue to increase as new technology comes into play. The cost of lasik has increased during the past 12 months with the prominence of a procedure called intralase.

Intralase is a procedure involving the use of a laser rather than a microkeratome used in traditional lasik treatments.

In a nuthell, prices per eye will range from $1500 to almost $3000 and this will vary considerably depending on the type of procedure used.

One of the difficulties patients face is knowing whether their overall cost quoted during the pre-operative stage is all inclusive or is broken down into different sections. For example, is the intralase procedure included in the single price quoted or will it cost extra.

About one in three surgeons will include the use of intralase and other wavefront technology in their overall cost. The remainder will offer a breakdown from testing to surgery and this is the time for a prospective patient to ask questions.

Avoid Price Shocks

It’s important for people to understand different eye surgery centers cost their work in different ways. Testing pre-op is necessary to make sure a patient clears any signs of risk but many are unaware that there will be a cost involved if they aren’t quoted a one time price in the consultation phase.

A unit breakdown will include pre-op testing, equipment usage and the surgeon’s time. If the surgeon is not a member of the regular staff then you need to consider his/her fee as well.

So is getting a one time price better than waiting for the lasik eye surgery cost breakdown at the completion of the procedure? Questions For Your Surgeon

- Does the initial price quoted include everything. If not, then what’s included and how much extra will you need to outlay.

- The risk of complications and will this affect the overall price.

- Is the cost of any follow up visits part of the fee quoted. If not then how much will they cost.

- The cost of the medications you may or may not need.

The following is a brief overview of the elements involved in the Lasik eye surgery procedure. Lasik eye surgery is still fairly new on the scene and is becoming very popular with many because of the ease, painlessness, and overall satisfaction of the procedure. Still, the Lasik eye surgery procedure leaves a lot of people curious as to what it entails and how it is done.

Lasik eye surgery is a quick and painless procedure that involves a local anaesthetic in the form of an eye drop on the surface of the eye. The surgery can range anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes per eye, but in some cases can be completed in less than a minute.

A special device or laser cuts a flap on the cornea and lifts it out of the way. The laser then reshapes the tissue of the eye underneath the flap and the flap is replaced. No stitches or sutures are required and the flap automatically heals itself and reattaches to the corneal tissue almost immediately. A shield is placed over the eye to protect the cornea while the healing process takes place.

Your doctor should be willing to answer all your questions and provide literature about the procedure and the risks and benefits. If your doctor says you may not be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery, ask him about alternative laser surgeries. You may find that another type of laser surgery would be more beneficial to you.

Take into consideration that you must be in good general overall health in order to have this type of surgery. You can’t have a disease that could slow healing such as diabetes or lupus. There are other criteria of which you may not be aware so discuss these with your doctor. You may think of other questions to ask your eye surgeon after searching for Lasik eye surgery information. As you think of them, write down your questions so you’ll be prepared for your next appointment.

Make absolutely certain you disclose all of the medications you are taking to your eye surgeon.
Finally, although not many, there are a few occupations that will pass you by if you have Lasik eye surgery. Certain jobs within the armed forces, pilots, and some jobs that require frequent immersion in water are some examples where this could be a problem. Even if you’re not currently affiliated with one of these jobs, you’ll want to think of your future.

If you’re considering Lasik eye surgery then the best advice you can get is to gather as much information on the topic as you can.

Lasik eye surgery information is now readily available but there is no substitute in getting it straight from “the horses mouth” so speaking with your doctor about the pros and cons of eye surgery makes good sense.

The risk factor with eye surgery is low yet there are risks never-the-less. If you’re concerned you may have a condition which will prevent you from receiving surgery try not to assume you won’t qualify; get an expert opinion.

Information Online

The internet is a great source of Lasik eye surgery information. The National Eye Institute maintains a website that has a lot of information regarding different types of eye problems and the corrective procedures associated with them. You can access their website at www.nei.nih.gov.

For more Lasik eye surgery information, consider visiting the American Optometric Association’s website at www.aoa.org. They have a lot of useful information on eye techniques.

It will certainly be advantageous to speak to several eye surgery specialists. Getting a cross reference of information will give you a solid understanding of what’s required from both you and the surgeon. You’ll find you may get some differing opinions but in the main, the end aim is to improve your vision.

The Screening Process

The screening process for Lasik is extensive. You’ll find it’s not for everyone meaning you’ll need to be in good health. You can’t have a disease that could slow healing such as diabetes or lupus. There are other criteria of which you may not be aware so discuss these with your doctor.

A list of questions should be prepared before you visit your doctor. These questions should include such things as:

- Price…how much will it cost and does the initial quote include any extras which may be required.

- What are the risks? If there are likely to be any type of complications to overcome will this blow the cost out?

- Will there be follow up visits required? Are they factored into the overall pricing?

- Will you need medications and if so, how much will they cost you?

- Is the cost of any follow up visits part of the fee quoted. If not then how much will they cost.

Lasik eye surgery information should be taken seriously. Don’t assume you simply go to a consultation and will be accepted as a candidate for surgery.