nlwest21 asked:


The price for LASIK eye surgery can vary between the different providers and it can also be based on many different factors. Usually the provider will quote you a price that will be based per eye. That is because one treatment of LASIK procedure is only done on one eye. This doesn’t mean that you won’t fix both eyes in the same day. Just remember that the price you are quoted will need to be doubled if you are planning on correcting the vision in both eyes.

Surgeons performing the procedure might also tack on extra charges depending on whether or not they are using a newer technology for better precision. The most common new technology that they wil use is IntraLase. During this LASIK procedure the surgeon will use a laser in place of a bladed instrument.

In 2008 analysts made a list of the average costs of LASIK surgery:

$1,662 for the non-customized LASIK in which the surgeon will use a bladded instrument and excimer lasers that are not guided by the use of wavefront analysis.

$2,105 for LASIK laser based vision correction where only a single price is quoted.

$2,341 for the LASIK procedure procedure where the surgeon will use IntraLase.

Keep in mind that there are wide variations that can be included in the price. Some advertisements will quote a great price – but will have hidden charges in the fine print. Very few people are quoted an incredibly low price without the addition in fees and other charges. Most people will need corrective surgery and follow up appointments after the original procedure.

But it seems that LASIK surgery is still becoming a bit more affordable then they were a few years ago. Reports show that in 2006 the average LASIK price was $1,950. In 2007 LASIK cost an average of $2,099 at a single price and with no extra charges. In 2008 the average cost did rise slightly to $2,105.

When you compare these prices to those in 2002 through 2005 ($1,550 – $1,965) you will notice that they are lower – but they do not include new technologies and more improved procedures. These new technologies make LASIK procedures more effective.

These are the average costs of LASIK surgery – but to understand completely how much the procedure will cost you should ask your local eye surgeon. They will understand your problem and inform you how many procedures you will need and how much you will need to pay for it.

Steve Knowles asked:


Lasik eye surgery stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It actually reduces people’s dependence on their glasses or contact lenses and involves a simple short surgical procedure on your eye using a cool laser beam. The whole procedure is virtually painless, takes only minutes per eye and is a one day procedure so you may go home the next day.

The Lasik procedure is as simple as the following three easy steps.

1. The cornea is like a few layers of stacked paper. An instrument

called a microkeratome gently glides across the top two of these

layers creating a flap which has like a hinge.

2. The doctor then has access to the third layer or the stroma of your

eye. The Excimer Laser then alters the shape of the cornea by the effect it has on the stroma.

3. The flap is then repositioned back over the newly contoured stroma without the need for stitches as eye tissue binds together

very quickly and simply on its own.

After this simple process, you are then sent home to rest. You will feel a

little discomfort, rather like having an eye lash stuck in your eye for about 12 hours or so until the healing process is well under way.

On average, one in 5 people are not suitable for Lasik surgery and this

can only be determined by a professional. Those not deemed suitable for Lasik may be more suited to other types of surgery so it is important to be aware of your options.

One of the best parts about Lasik eye surgery is that by the next day, your vision will have improved to the point where you can at least drive a car. Many people report their eyesight having improved to 20/20 vision!

The end result hopefully of Lasik surgery is to return the cornea to as close to a normal shape as possible, and in doing so improve your vision. Although Lasik surgery appears to produce what seem to be miraculous cures, it is also possible that complications may be included in the end result.

For those in the forty plus bracket who decide to try Lasik surgery, they may discover that they still require eyeglasses for reading. If you are thinking about Lasik eye surgery, you would be well advised to do thorough research, gather all the facts and get a solid understanding of what you should expect before committing to the procedure.

Laura Smith asked:


If you have ever worn glasses or contacts you have probably considered the benefits of Lasik eye surgery. Here we will look at what this surgery consists of and how it may be beneficial to you.

Lasik was developed around 1990 as a modification and blending of two other procedures that had been around since the 50′s. It is the process of using laser equipment to make a small flap that is pulled back, allowing access to the tissue below for reshaping by the laser.

The surgery has been successful in treating a range of vision problems. It has been found effective on patients with myopia, hyperopic and astigmatism.

PRE-OP

The procedure itself is quick and painless. If you wear soft contacts, it is suggested that you remove them for a minimum of 5-21 days before the surgery. For hard contact patients the requirements are a bit stiffer. Hard contact wearers should remove their contacts for six weeks before the surgery and an additional six weeks for every three years they have had them.

POST-OP

Once the surgery is complete, the patient will be prescribed a round of mild antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops. In addition, you should get plenty of sleep and wear both darkened sunglasses during the day and goggles to prevent rubbing your eyes at night. This will decrease the chances for postoperative complications.

OUTCOME

The results have been most adequately calculated by patient satisfaction. In 2008, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery did an analysis on worldwide patient satisfaction over the past ten years and found that 95.4% were very satisfied with the outcome.

RISKS

As with any surgery, there are of course risks to consider. Below is a list of possible problems after Lasik surgery.

- Dry eyes: This is the most common complaint after Lasik surgery. It occurs because nerve endings in the cornea are responsible for tear production. Many times this side effect will go away several weeks after surgery, but in some cases, it may be permanent.

- Overcorrection or under correction

- Visual acuity fluctuation

- Light sensitivity

- Ghost images or double vision

These are a few of the more common side effects of Lasik surgery. A proper preoperative examination is crucial to minimizing these risks.

COST

The cost of Lasik will vary depending on provider and the condition of your eyes. The more complicated the surgery and follow up the more expensive it will be.

That being said a recent study of 2008 costs estimate the range to be between $1,000 and $3,000 per eye. Beware of advertisements that offer Lasik for as little as $500 per eye, there are often strict guidelines for this cheap alternative that most people will not fall into. These offers often come with a necessary deposit, which is non-refundable if you opt to not have the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Lasik eye surgery is a great option for some people. As technology increases the procedures become better and better. However, the advice is to seek out all the possible side effects and be sure that you could live with them. The incidence of problems is small, less than 5% of Lasik patients have any complaints but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Dean Caporella asked:


The risk of complications from lasik eye surgery definitely exist but in reality, they are only minimal.

Obviously, surgery is not suitable for everyone and if you are considering lasik, you are not automatically guaranteed going under the surgeon’s laser. The pre-screening period is vital in assessing your suitability as a candidate for surgery.

If you are experiencing certain problems which will place you at risk or increase your risk of becoming impaired in some form or another, then don’t be surprised if you are not approved.

Less than one per cent of patients have experienced serious complications arising from lasik eye surgery. This figure just proves that there is risk associated with any kind of operation and while it’s only slight with this procedure it’s there nevertheless and you you should be aware of it.

So what are some of the complications from lasik eye surgery you could be at risk from? Let’s take a look at just a few.

Flap Complications

Issues with the flap can make up about 5% of lasik complications. Basically, problems can arise when the flap is not properly re-shaped and could either be too thin or too thick. Ill-fitting flaps may wrinkle soo after being placed on the eye’s surface.

The good news is on most occasions, this can be corrected with follow up treatment. Can it affect your vision? Yes, but in the majority of cases, only temporarily.

Cornea Issues

Double vision can arise from issues such as bad laser correction which doesn’t center on the eye. The cornea can also react to foreign debris which is caught under the flap. Inflammation usually occurs and permanent vision loss is a risk however, this is a slight risk provided follow up treatment is conducted in quick time.

Some of the other more common complications of lasik eye surgery include dry eye along with over and under correction. The issue of regression, meaning the eye returns back to it’s former condition after a certain time, is also a possibility but this cannot really be predicted.

As with most of the complications mentioned, follow up treatment will in most cases rectify any issues and this treatment doesn’t have to be more surgery. It could simply be medication prescribed by your doctor.

You will place yourself at great risk if you are initially rejected as a lasik candidate and then attempt to get the procedure performed elsewhere. Sure, get a second opinion but a quality and responsible eye surgery center will not want to perform treatment on your eyes if it means putting you at risk.

Alex Rider asked:


If you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery consider the fact that some people may be unsuitable for this operation. LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries

herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex

disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.

Dan Sherman asked:


Are you near sighted? Or maybe you have trouble reading the book right in front of your face. Sure, you can reach for those glasses and all will come into focus. However, you’re back to square one when you take them off. This is no solution. It’s more like a temporary fix. Some individuals are just getting sick and tired of reaching for those glasses every time they need to look at something. Fortunately these days there are other options. Have you ever heard of lasik eye surgery? This is a procedure gaining popularity as time moves on. Many of us want the vision dilemma fixed permanently, and this is what lasik eye surgery offers. Have you ever had 20/20? Well, these days you can achieve that perfect vision, and do it without the burden of eyeglasses.

Do you wear contact lenses? Boy, were these all the rage in the 80′s. Everyone wanted to ditch there prescription eyewear and conform to a more attractive solution to vision impairment. The contact lense not only allowed users to see clearly, but it also granted peripheral vision, which was not possible with old-school glasses. Now, the only downside was having these darn things sitting in your eyes all day. Have you tried contact lenses? They are not as comfortable as advertised. Big surprise! In addition, they are a redundant maintenance. Each morning and night you have to take them out, clean them with saline, and then store them in a container. It’s time to ditch this hassle and look into lasik eye surgery. This new-age procedure is done for a reasonable price. You can acquire that 20/20 vision we all dream of. And the best part is it’s permanent. There’s no fumbling with contact lenses every morning or worrying about your glasses. With lasik eye surgery comes an actual solution to your vision affliction.

To learn more about lasik eye surgery, and the going rates in your area, you can hop on the World-Wide-Web. Read testimonials from others who’ve received lasik eye surgery and love the results. Virtually anything you wish to know regarding this innovative procedure can be found online for free. So stop wasting your time with the old-school temporary fixes, and get with the program. Hey, if my 82 year old grandmother can have 20/20 vision, then so can you.

So get on with your search and find the nearest place that offers lasik eye surgery.

Andrew Caster asked:


When it comes to choosing between lasik eye surgery and contact lenses, my friends are split down the middle. Some swear by lasik, while others are hell bent on contacts. But finally I see a break, with advent of technology and more comforting ads, the fear factor and squeamishness seem to be reducing.

I asked the question to Dr. Andrew Caster, Los Angeles Lasik Surgeon. I told him about fear, an all encompassing trait that overrides everything else.

My opinion is Lasik laser vision correction is one of the great medical advances of our time. There is really no other procedure in all of medicine that combines such profound improvement with lack of pain and very rapid recovery.

Now there are a plethora of different lasers to choose from, including my favorite, the WaveLight Allegretto. Talk to your doctor. There are so many procedures now including Lasik, IntraLase, PRK, and Lasek. Choose something which is good for you.

Having said that, Laser vision correction is not right for everyone. Only perform the procedure if your doctor is confident that excellent results can be obtained. For the 30% odd unsuitable candidates, I guess contacts is the answer.

There we go again!

The views are my own and is not medical advice. Please talk to your eye doctor for your specific case.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Carson Danfield asked:


Refractive surgery (LASIK) often produces amazing results, however, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. If you’re considering LASIK, it’s important that you are aware of the limitations and possible complications that may arise.

According to FDA reports, nearly 100% of LASIK patients have good results and no complications, but you need to be aware that there are things that can and do go wrong. Some problems include double or triple vision, light distortion so severe that patients can’t drive at night, or eyes so dry that they have to wear goggles when going outside.

Some patients experience infections, inflammation of the eye, redness, blurriness or eye irritation. In many cases, LASIK eye surgery can eliminate your need for corrective lenses, but that’s not always the result. Sometimes, LASIK will drastically reduce your dependence on corrective lenses, but you may still require corrective lenses for some activities, such as reading. It’s best to think of LASIK as reducing your dependency upon corrective lenses – not necessarily as eliminating your need for them.

Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a post operative LASIK risk that happens when a foreign substance, such as a hair or speck of dirt gets trapped behind the corneal flap. If this happens to you, you may experience pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, along with the sensation that something is trapped in your eye. Rubbing will only intensify the problem and may lead to further complications, such as infection or tearing or dislodging of the corneal flap. Diffuse lamellar keratitis usually occurs as the result of the patient not exercising proper precautions during the healing period after LASIK eye surgery.

One of the most common complications of LASIK eye surgery is a slipped flap. The flap that was created during the LASIK procedure may become detached from the rest of the cornea. Most doctors recommend that you go home and sleep for several hours after completing the LASIK procedure in order to allow the cornea to start its healing process. That’s good advice and can substantially reduce your chances of experiencing a slipped flap.

Even without LASIK eye surgery, it’s expected that everyone’s eyes will change slightly with the passage of time – it’s just a natural part of life. After LASIK, your eyes will still follow their natural course of changing with time, so LASIK shouldn’t necessarily be considered a permanent solution. For most people however, their vision will not change enough to require any additional treatments, especially when the original procedure was done to correct for poor distant vision.

The information provided here is not intended to scare you away from LASIK eye surgery, since it has been a blessing to a great many people. For many who have chosen LASIK, it has meant that they are no longer dependent on corrective lenses in order to have good vision. It’s highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about LASIK and how any possible risks or side effects relate to your own personal circumstances.

April Kerr asked:

Everywhere you look there seems to be ads for LASIK eye surgery. The way they advertise the procedure can make you think that is will be the perfect solution to your vision problems. No more straining to read the ingredients on food packets or road signs. Simply undergo LASIK surgery and all there hassles will be a thing of the past.

However it is important to note that LASIK eye surgery may not be suitable for everyone so it’s important to read up as much as possible out the procedure.

The acronym LASIK means laser in-situ keratomy, eye surgery and uses an excimer which is a powerful laser. These have been specially designed to work on the delicate eye area. The laser can quickly re-shape the cornea (for treating nearsightedness) or the hyperopia (for treating farsightedness).

When the cornea is reshaped what happens is that tissue underneath is removed. So that the tissue can be worked on, a very small flap is pulled back from the surface of the cornea. The laser or microkeratome blade can be used to create this flap.

The laser zaps away excess tissue determined by the ophthalmologist whilst viewing an extremely detailed image of the cornea. This process can take only a matter of minutes and the patient won’t feel a thing. Vision can be corrected so swiftly that they are able to drive home aftwards.

The primary consideration when deciding if LASIK is for you is to look at the costs involved. Many health plans don’t cover this procedure as they believe it to be purely cosmetic.

The cost of surgery can vary greatly however the costs generally reflect the use of a reliable and experienced ophthalmologist and will cost several thousand dollars per eye. The cost is certainly not insignificant.

Cost isn’t the only consideration however. You can only undergo surgery if you have healthy eyes which have stopped changing. Other situations can also arise which prevent surgery.

When you go for your first consultation a number of tests will be performed to detect eye problems or diseases which could cause problems with the surgery. Because of hormones, LASIK surgery cannot be performed on pregnant women or on people with suppressed immune systems.

If you have the money to spend on surgery then LASIK may be a good way to improve your vision. The success rate is very high and the procedure is painless. There aren’t many reasons not to go ahead with treatment.

Alan James asked:

In the present time people are very conscious about their physical look and to maintain themselves they go to gym, walk and for meditation also but neglect their eyes. They forget that eyesight is one of the most essential functions of human body and realize that they have problem in their vision when it increases a lot. At this time the people have to take help from spectacles and lenses for better vision, but after some times they find that it lessen their face value. In this state LASIK Eye Surgery is a handful surgery to remove these specs and lenses.

LASIK Eye Surgery is a vision improvement surgery during which the surgeons remove the dead tissues which gather on the cornea of the patient and cause difficulty in their vision. But some times due to some complications the patient can not able to get satisfactory results after LASIK Eye Surgery at this circumstance Enhancement of LASIK Eye Surgery when the outcomes of LASIK Eye Surgery do not go as planned. Usually the surgeons do not charge any further fee for Enhancement of LASIK Eye Surgery.

Usually, the surgeons recommend this enhancement after three months of LASIK Eye Surgery but it is not the rule. The period may be extended or curtailed according to patient status. The enhancement surgery is not only way to recovering of vision after LASIK Eye Surgery normally the surgeons do not advise the enhancement surgery. There are enough other procedures for the perfect vision so the do not be in hurry for this enhancement because the eyes take time to cure. The patients just have to observe the reaction and changes after LASIK Eye Surgery and explained it to the surgeon and let the surgeon decide that the patient required the enhancement or not. The surgeons should be suggesting the patient any other way to adopt the eyes for perfect vision. But it is very rare in case that the patient necessitate the enhancement. For the lesser chances of enhancement the patient have to follow the all the instructions very fairly that may be pre surgery or post surgery.