Of the many types of refractive surgeries performed, LASIK is the most common. But depending on your vision and the physiology of your eye, you may be more suited to a number of other procedures such as PRK or epi-LASIK. There are also more non-laser options than ever before to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Below is some helpful information about LASIK which may help answer some of your questions. And for a non-biased resource on LASIK, click here.
What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness) and astigmatism. Now more than ever, LASIK is a safe and effective way to correct your vision that is minimally invasive and virtually pain free.
Knowing who to trust for your surgery can make all the difference in a successful outcome. Our doctors only associate with board certified Opthalmologists who are experienced, having performed over one hundred thousand combined procedures, and who are world renowned for their patient care and superior technique. For your convenience, we provide all of your pre and post operative care at no extra cost to you. So you make one trip to the surgery center, and we take care of the rest.
Am I a candidate for LASIK?
Patients who are over 18 years of age who have had no significant changes in their prescription for at least twelve months are ideal candidates for LASIK. People with certain health and eye conditions or who are pregnant may not be eligible for corrective eye surgery. That is why we thoroughly screen all of our patients for risk factors before surgery.
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(http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/am-i-a-lasik-candidate.htm)
How can I get surgery?
First, you need to call us and set up your free LASIK consultation. There, our doctors and technicians will evaluate your health history and your eye prescription to determine if you are an ideal candidate. We will also further educate you on the procedure itself, your expected outcome, as well as the cost, so you can make an informed decision whether or not the procedure is right for you.
If it is, you will need to come back for your pre-operative exam where we will need to dilate your eyes (which could leave your vision blurred for a number of hours) and thoroughly examine your eyes, checking your prescription and the heath of your corneas and retinas.
Following surgery, our doctors will closely monitor your progress for a full year. And after that, you will need to be monitore once a year during your comprehensive eye examination.
What about the cost? Will my insurance cover LASIK?
LASIK in general averages about $2,000 an eye. The cost includes your pre and post operative care for one year, and the surgery itself. LASIK is considered an elective procedure, and thus is not covered through most plans. However, our LASIK associates offer discounts to patients with certain insurance plans, and financing is also available. But check your employer to see if your plan offers a benefit for LASIK. Also, if you have a Medical Flex-Spending Account, you can use pre-tax earnings to reduce your effective cost by hundreds of dollars.
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