For the right individual, laser eye treatment can be a convenient and effective way to be rid of the hassles associated with contacts and eyeglasses.If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism and would like to experience the freedom of sight that good vision offers, there are a variety of laser eye treatments available that you could consider.
Refractive surgery is a procedure where the tissue in the cornea is reshaped in order to provide clearer vision for the individual undergoing treatment.This enables someone to lessen his or her dependency on contacts or eyeglasses or even to get rid of them completely.The most common refractive surgeries performed today involve the use of lasers to more precisely shape the corneal tissue.
Laser refractive surgeries include PRK, LASEK, and LASIK, with LASIK being the most frequently performed laser eye surgery today.In LASIK and LASEK, a surgeon creates a circular flap in the eye’s cornea using either a microkeratome or a laser such as the IntraLase laser.The surgeon then folds back the flap and uses an excimer laser to remove tiny pieces of tissue to reshape the cornea and allow for clearer vision.
LASIK is a convenient option for many people for a number of reasons.First, a LASIK patient is able to walk himself in and walk right back out after surgery since it only requires a local anesthetic for the eye.Also, the entire procedure usually lasts about five minutes per eye.
LASIK patients experience very little discomfort following surgery, with the most commonly noted complaint being itchiness and dryness.As an added bonus, most patients who choose LASIK eye surgery are able to pass a standard driver’s eye exam after only 24 hours following surgery.
Some people do experience some surgical side effects that could linger for up to six months after surgery.These side effects include glares and seeing haloes around lights, especially when driving at night.
It is important to note that not every LASIK patient is able to achieve the desired 20/20 vision after surgery.Laser eye surgeries are relatively new and so it is still an imperfect science.Some patients do still require the use of contacts or eyeglasses after surgery, and some people have even experienced permanent loss of vision.Be wary of surgeons or laser eye centers that claim to guarantee 20/20 vision or better.
Laser eye treatments are used for more purposes than just for correcting nearsightedness and farsightedness.Lasers are also used to relieve the symptoms and effects of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases.Lasers are also used in certain cosmetic surgeries involving the eyes.
Because of the many advances in medical technology recently, the cost of laser eye treatments has been on the rise.Even though LASIK and other refractive surgeries are advertised at prices starting as low as $299 per eye, less than three percent of all laser eye surgeries cost less than $1000 per eye.
The most recent surveys show that the nationwide average for laser vision correction is actually closer to $2000 per eye, with prices going as high as $4000 per eye depending on the severity of vision loss, the surgical equipment involved, and the amount of follow-up care required.
For most people, paying for laser eye treatments all at once isn’t really an option.In order to help laser eye surgeries remain affordable for the average person there are a variety of financial options available that can be considered.Most surgeons or laser eye centers will accept credit card payments or be willing to set up manageable monthly payment plans at relatively low interest rates.Also there are a number of financial institutions who offer loans specifically for LASIK and other vision correction procedures.With the many payment options available you shouldn’t need to sacrifice quality of care by going with the least expensive surgeon in your area.
If you feel that laser eye treatment is something that could benefit you now and in the future, talk to your ophthalmologist.He or she will be able to help you determine if you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery and to decide which kind of surgery is right for you.