Laser Eye Surgery: What I Wish I Knew Before I Got Lasik

Lasik eye surgery is a simple yet powerful procedure that will change your life.

LASIK permanently changes the shape of your eyes, so you can see better. Millions of people have undergone this procedure, but you shouldn’t decide to get it until you know all the facts.

Without eyeglasses, the world appears blurry and distorted. But when you see clearly, life is much better. Lasik eye surgery promises to give you that crystal-clear vision again. Let’s find out how this process works!

LASIK is a laser-assisted eye surgery that corrects vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness) or hypermetropia (farsightedness). The procedure is often referred to as LASEK for LAser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

The laser enhances your eyesight by repairing refractive errors you have been born with, or that may have grown over time.

The refractive process decreases or eliminates a patient’s dependence on contact lenses and glasses, enhancing eyesight by repairing errors caused by:

• Astigmatism,
• Nearsightedness (Myopia),
• Farsightedness (hyperopia),
• Presbyopia (farsightedness from aging).

Using lasers, doctors will shave cells off the surface of your cornea, making a smoother corneal surface that will bend light properly.

LASIK can fix eyesight if you meet the prerequisite criteria, including being younger than 50 and having healthy eyes. LASIK is an alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, but before undergoing this surgical procedure, consider that it might have rare complications, including partial loss of eyesight.

You need to know that there can be dangers to LASIK, so it is important to understand the potential problems. Possible side effects may range from mild to severe.

Because LASIK is a surgery, there are risks involved. The most common side effects of the procedure tend to be halos around lights, glare, and dry eyes. However, there are rare cases in which even people with health issues can benefit from this surgery if they have 20/20 vision or feel that their quality of life would greatly improve without needing to wear contact lenses or glasses.

Luckily, LASIK is now getting more widespread, so you’ll have a lot more options when it comes to deciding on a surgeon.

The FDA has approved LASIK to correct vision issues since 1999. Surgery centers perform about 600,000 LASIK procedures in the US each year.

How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?

LASIK eye surgery is a common source of financial confusion for many people — especially those who aren’t aware of its high cost. In this section, we’ll answer the question, “how much does LASIK cost?”

LASIK surgery is generally covered by insurance plans and paid for out-of-pocket by patients in only 35 percent of cases. Most people who need LASIK surgery have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket — even if they have insurance.

Many resources online can help you compare LASIK prices with other surgeons in your area.

You can also find out which surgeons offer LASIK at discounted rates by searching “LASIK surgery” on Google or in local directories like YellowPages.com.

The average cost of LASIK varies widely depending on where you go for the procedure and what kind of results you desire. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Eye, the average price for LASIK is $1,000. The lowest reported cost was $150, but that surgeon doesn’t have much experience with laser vision correction.

In most cases, LASIK is covered by Medicare, but you should check with your insurance company to ensure you’re not responsible for a co-pay or deductible.

Costs vary depending on how you pay. In some cases, providers may bill Medicare directly if one of the following factors applies to you:

• You’re over age 65 and have Medicare Parts A and B.
• You are a recipient of Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, or SSI (cash benefits).
• Likewise, you’re a patient in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• You’re a kidney patient.

Suppose you have no insurance coverage or rely solely on Medicare or Medicaid coverage. In that case, you might still be able to get LASIK through a low-cost health plan or other types of government assistance programs like the Veteran’s Administration or TRICARE.

You can find the best prices at low-volume surgeons and clinics.

Is LASIK safe long-term?

The procedure, performed under local anesthetic, involves using instruments to cut a flap of tissue from the back of your eye and place it over the front. The flap then reshapes itself into the desired shape, correcting your vision.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that some people may not see as well after the procedure.

The good news is that the academy says it’s “not yet aware of any long-term complications of LASIK,” so if you’re considering having LASIK surgery, that’s a good sign.

LASIK is generally safe, but you should consider some potential side effects before you decide to undergo the operation.

• Blurred vision. This is usually temporary and will resolve itself over time as your eye’s natural cornea heals itself.
• Dry eyes. This can occur in most patients who have experienced dry eye symptoms before LASIK surgery.
• Eye infection or dry socket. A dry socket occurs when part of the inner ear is exposed after having surgery.

Dr. Edward Manche, ophthalmology professor and chief of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, says that the FDA has reaffirmed LASIK’s safety: “There are certain people who have had some issues, but the great majority of individuals do exceptionally well,” he states.

When it comes time to decide whether you should get LASIK surgery, there are many things to think about. Like any medical procedure – it can have both good and bad outcomes.