Laser Eye Surgery: Where We Are Today

Many an advance has come to the science of vision correction singe Benjamin Franklin first donned his granny glasses in the 18th century, with their innovative design which made them useful for both nearsighted and farsighted people.  The design for these original bi-focals has brought clear vision to countless millions of people since then, and it is innovative thinking like Benjamin Franklin’s which has been responsible for all the advances in vision correction which have since occurred.  The most recent, and perhaps the most dramatic, of these advances is the development, over the past two decades, of laser eye surgery. (more…)

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Why Are Laser Eye Surgery Prices So High?

Why Are Laser Eye Surgery Prices So High?

Laser eye surgery prices, like those of any product or service, are determined by the laws of supply and demand. While some vision correction clinics may offer what seem to be steals on their laser eye surgery prices, they often have hidden conditions on those offers which make them inappropriate for most people. Laser eye surgery prices are quoted per eye, so you should double the quote if you need both eyes corrected, and you can expect to pay higher laser eye surgery prices for the latest surgical innovations. Many clinics offer attractive financing to offset laser eye surgery prices. (more…)

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How To Make Laser Eye Surgery Cost Affordable

There is no doubt that laser eye surgery is rapidly becoming a preferred option for those who would like to free themselves from dependency on corrective lenses and contacts. But health insurance does not cover the high laser eye surgery cost, so thousands of people will either have to do without, or find a way to finance it.  Many doctors and clinics, knowing that the laser eye surgery cost is keeping patients away, have arrangements with financing companies.  Getting a loan to pay for the laser eye surgery cost in low monthly installments may require both credit and background checks. (more…)

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The Laser Eye Corrective Surgery Options

Although LASIK laser eye corrective surgery is the most common type of laser eye corrective surgery, it is not recommended for people with certain visual defects.  Those who have thin corneas should opt for LASEK laser eye corrective surgery.  EPI-LASEK surgery, on the other hand, does not use an incision to cut a corneal flap like  those used in LASIK or LASEK laser eye corrective surgery, and PRK surgery uses incisions, but not to create corneal flaps.  Recovery periods for laser eye corrective surgery range from a single day for LASIK surgery, to up to two weeks for LASEK surgery. (more…)

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The Other Costs Of Laser Eye Surgery

While most people realize the significant financial costs of laser eye surgery, and willing accept them willingly if it means having their vision corrected, they any also agree  to surgery unaware that there may be hidden costs of laser eye surgery like of side effects and complication.  Chronic dry eye, improperly repaired defects, and impaired night vision are some of the potential costs of laser eye surgery, and sometimes the only solution for them is further surgery.  Make sure your doctor informs you of all the risks associated with your laser eye surgery, and avoid any doctor who will not. (more…)

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A Cosmetic Eye Surgery Primer

Cosmetic laser eye surgery, although it is not covered under most health plans, is still one of the most requested elective surgeries.  LASIK cosmetic eye surgery the most common form of cosmetic eye surgery, can repair both near and farsightedness. LASIK eye surgery seldom takes more than an hour, is nearly painless and does not demand hospitalization.  You should find a highly experienced LASIK surgeon to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure and follow the preoperative instructions closely. The surgery may produce some temporary side effects like impaired night vision but they are rare and seldom serious.

Understanding About Cosmetic Laser Eye Surgery

The cosmetic laser eye surgery is a procedure that has quickly become incredibly popular over the past few years, as more and more people are becoming aware of the various benefits that it offers. It is a quick and painless vision correction procedure, one that offers a very short recovery time as well.

There are, however, many important issues that one needs to understand about cosmetic laser eye surgery before going ahead with it, of which will be discussed in detail here.

Cosmetic Laser Eye Surgery – What you Need to Know

LASIK is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery, and it uses a surgical instrument known as a microkeratome, which is used to create a small flap on the surface of the cornea, or this flap can be created using a laser as well, the decision will be up to the attending surgeon.

Both nearsighted and farsighted people are able to benefit from cosmetic laser eye surgery, and if you are one of the many people considering having the procedure done, the first thing you have to do is choose a surgeon.

You want to choose one that has a great reputation, one that has lots of experience and a long list of clients. This does not mean that you will definitely be able to have the procedure however, as the surgeon will have to determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate first.

Although this procedure is considered as being minor and there are usually no repercussions caused by it, it is still a procedure and thus there are certain risks and complications that are possible, all of which you must be fully aware of.

After the cosmetic laser eye surgery is complete, you will be told to rest for a while and take it easy, and although you may be prescribed medication to help relieve any pain you may have, this is not common, as most people do not feel anything more than mild discomfort after the procedure.

Although risks are rare, the most common include: pain ranging from moderate to severe, hazy vision during the healing process, dry eyes, poor quality of night vision due to halos and glare in the eyes, and then there is a much more serious condition known as corneal ectasia which involves a weakening and bulging of the cornea.

As long as you take the time to make yourself educated on the procedure itself and the process involved, and find yourself a good surgeon, then you should have no problems and your surgery should be a great success.

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Why Are Laser Eye Surgery Prices So High?

Laser eye surgery prices, like those of any product or service, are determined by the laws of supply and demand.  While some vision correction clinics may offer what seem to be steals on their laser eye surgery prices, they often have hidden conditions on those offers which make them inappropriate for most people.  Laser eye surgery prices are quoted per eye, so you should double the quote if you need both eyes corrected, and you can expect to pay higher laser eye surgery prices for the latest surgical innovations.  Many clinics offer attractive financing to offset laser eye surgery prices.

Read the Fine Print when Comparing Laser Eye Surgery Prices

Just like with almost anything in capitalistic American society, laser eye surgery prices also vary according to provider expertise, sophistication of technique used, area of operation and other such factors. While many vision correction centers can boast of incredibly low laser eye surgery prices, it is in the client’s best interest to read all the fine print and find out if there are any hidden charges and extras which might not be included in the advertised price.

As always, the mantra of ‘You get what you paid for’ does hold true here as well. You wouldn’t want to short change your eyesight to save a few hundred dollars and therefore carefully make your surgeon selection and do not base it solely on laser eye surgery prices.

Industry Averages

Although exact prices fluctuate, it is safe to say that in the years 2006 and 2007, laser eye surgery prices for one eye were mostly in the range of $1500 to $2500. Around 67 per cent of cases fell in that range so it is a good guesstimate by all standards. However, remember that these prices are pr eye so if you plan on getting both eyes corrected, then simply double the quoted rate.

People find it hard to understand why laser eye surgery prices have risen over the past few years. Usually, prices fall as technology improves and becomes more widespread. However the reason why laser eye surgery prices have risen, albeit marginally, is because of new, customized techniques available such as wavefront laser eye surgery. This offers a more complex yet precise procedure and is not a one size fits all. Hence, the laser eye surgery prices for such a technique are higher and because more people are opting for this customization, industry averages have risen too.

Another factor why prices have risen is that many surgeons are opting for laser beams to lift the flap of the cornea rather than a blade-like instrument. Called IntraLase, this procedure uses a laser rather than the blade called microkeratome. For instance, opting for the IntraLase raises the laser eye surgery price per eye by around $350 but patients feel it is well worth it as surgeons have reported fewer infections and flap complications by using this procedure.

Financing

If $2000 an eye seems like a daunting figure especially since insurance companies do not usually cover cosmetic procedures, find out if the centers you are considering offer financing options. Many places try to combat rising laser eye surgery prices by offering no interest or no payments deferred financing to lure patients in. See if you qualify and if a small monthly payment can help you attain your dreams of a spectacle-free life.

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