Monica Keller asked:


We live in a time of seemingly endless innovation and rapid technological progress. It is hard enough to keep up on the latest e-mail filters and cell phone video cameras, much less such specialized medical procedures as LASIK eye surgery.

But if you are considering laser vision correction of any kind—the popular and effective LASIK procedure or, if you are not a good candidate for that, an alternative such as LASEK or PRK—then it is no longer just a matter of passing interest. It is your responsibility to be an informed, prepared patient for any kind of surgery, so you need to learn the latest on LASIK technology used in LASIK eye surgeries as part of that preparation.

The best doctors and clinics want to ensure the very best possible results for their LASIK eye surgery patients, which often means having not one but several different kinds of equipment. There are technologies that are more appropriate for some patient conditions than others, which is why many practices are equipped with several examples of the latest equipment available.

There are at least five or six kinds of laser eye surgery equipment being used widely in the field today, and others are being developed all the time. Medical research and technology continues to make breakthroughs that improve and maintain people’s quality of life, and the last few years have been particularly good ones for advances in LASIK treatment.
The WaveScan™ Wavefront® System used by many specialists in LASIK eye surgery works by creating a “map” that shows how your optical system, as a whole, processes perceived light. This results in something akin to a “fingerprint” of each eye’s unique vision profile, meaning that each of your eyes can be treated for their own special imperfections during the LASIK eye surgery.

The VISX® Star S4™ laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak®. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers astonishing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. (For comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter.)

CustomVue™ systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of “fingerprint”) of your vision to an “ideal” optical system. Once again using the VISX® Star S4™ laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue™ allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.

One of the newest developments on the LASIK eye surgery scene is the IntraLase® laser. It uses a special technology and method for creating the corneal flap required in laser vision correction surgery. Replacing a standard metal blade, the IntraLase® laser produces a very precise flap.

Steven Walters asked:


If you’re thinking about having lasik done then obviously the first thing you’ll think about is the safety of the procedure. I’m sure right after that you’ll start thinking about eye surgery cost. While the cost is lower than it was, you’ll have a hard time nailing down a number because lasik costs can vary based on several factors.

The first factor that will influence the cost of lasik is your location. Prices vary from state to state and city to city, with the most expensive places being the east and west coast major cities. You’ll find that lasik prices are higher in Atlanta and San Francisco than they are in Kansas City for example.

Another huge factor is the type of technology used for your laser eye surgery. The newer the technology the more expensive your surgery is going to be.

Finally, you’ll find that the experience and qualifications of the doctor will have an effect on the price of lasik.

What are typical lasik eye surgery costs?

When all is said and done, the average price of lasik eye surgery is around $1500 per eye. This price includes everything from the consultation right through the post operative follow up. Two of the factors that can change this price significantly are you’re location and the type and severity of your vision problem.

Will there be any additional Costs?

Additional costs will depend on how the price of the eye surgery is quoted. Some clinics and eye doctors will quote a base price with anything else costing extra, while others prefer to quote an all inclusive price. Any time you see extremely low advertisements for laser eye surgery these are the base prices without anything extra. Most people won’t even qualify for this extremely low lasik price.

Is discount lasik available?

It is still possible to save money on your lasik surgery. Some eye clinics will give you a discount for paying in cash and still others will print coupons in the local newspapers or yellow pages. Since eye surgery is a highly competitive market you may even be able to negotiate your own discount. Ask about possible discounts during your consultation.

Lasik eye surgery cost is certainly one of the most important things that will keep people from having the procedure done. Even though the price of lasik is a big consideration, there’s no need to let it hold you back from having the procedure done. With the lowest prices ever, possible discounts and financing available anyone who wants to can now have lasik.

MIKE SELVON asked:


It’s a pretty well-established fact that most people experience a decline in the quality of their vision when they hit their forties. And, with a very large population of baby boomers now in their forties and above, the demand for corrective eye surgery to help improve these common vision problems has been on the rise. But many senior citizens question if it is worth it to have Lasik eye surgery in their later years.

The answer, according to experienced ophthalmologists and laser eye surgeons, is that people are eligible for laser eye surgery at just about any stage of life. Those experiencing problems with their eyesight can enjoy improvement with correction laser vision surgery. The main vision problems that can be improved with corrective eye surgery are astigmatism, far-sightedness and near-sightedness.

Lasik eye surgery in virtually any stage of life is considered a very low risk procedure, overall. But, there are a few precautions that doctors recommend to those who are a bit older. One common condition that the elderly deal with is eye dryness and therefore, after Lasik eye surgery, the elderly are strongly encouraged to take extra care to be sure to keep the eyes well-hydrated and lubricated with eye drops.

Lubrication of the eyes after Lasik eye surgery is not only important for those who are having the procedure done in their later years. Keeping the eyes moist and keeping them from drying out is an important part of aftercare for everyone who has undergone corrective eye surgery, but it is even more crucial for the elderly and for anyone who tends to naturally have dry eyes.

Using eyedrops routinely after the corrective procedure is a very simple, yet very effective way to avoid problems and complications. The laser eye surgery clinic will provide the patient with the proper lubricating eye drops for post-surgery use.

One of the reasons why eye surgery in the later years is still safe and effective is because overall the procedure has proven to have very few complications and has very low risk. This is because the surface of the eye is not cut with traditional surgical instruments, which can cause damage to the cornea.

Instead, the small cut that needs to be made is accomplished with a laser beam. This means the incision will be tiny, accurate and extremely clean. All of these factors result in much less risk of infection and other complications.

However, even with a very good track record of success, eye surgery in general is not completely foolproof. Corrective eye surgery patients experience complications from the procedure or disappointing results approximately 5% of the time. When the procedure does not go well, the patient might end up having fluctuating vision, seeing halos around light sources, having increased sensitivity to glaring light, and possibly experiencing more dryness of the eyes.

Even though most laser eye surgeons are in agreement that Lasik eye surgery in the later stages of life is still a viable and effective option, they also mention that Lasik vision surgery is not the right procedure for everyone. There are conditions, such as glaucoma and presbyopia, which will not be corrected through laser eye surgery. In fact, with glaucoma, such a procedure can even worsen the condition.

Marlon Dirk asked:

Correction surgery for your eyes is an option today with a new technique called Lasik. Often times, your vision can be returned to 20/20 or better with laser eye surgery. But the question is will your insurance agency help you cover the cost. If you have vision insurance, you may call or write or check your policy to find out if you’re already covered for a discount or help from your insurance agency for lasik eye surgery. After all, your vision insurance will no longer have to supply glasses, contact lens or replacements, and therefore may cover.

Often times, laser eye surgery is considered an elective surgical procedure and coverage may very widely from policy to policy. Remember, an insurance agents job is to sell insurance, and if you have lasik surgery, there’s a possibility that they are going to lose your insurance premium. So, perhaps, according to your insurance policy you may not be covered

Lasik surgery is not an inexpensive plan and although you’ll see plenty of advertisements at $500 an eye, the reality is it’s closer to $2000 and up according to your eyes. A because it’s advertised at a discount price doesn’t mean that the lasik surgery specialist is the best in the process, and when it comes to your eyes, you want the best. It’s important that not only is your Lasik surgery affordable, but also that you have a qualified doctor with qualified machinery to actually do the surgery itself. The benefits of having 20/20 eye vision, and of course not having to wear glasses or contacts is one of the biggest.

When you see a good price for lasik surgery be sure to check out the doctor thoroughly as well as find out from other patients whether they’re happy with the laser eye surgery. Although in most cases a cheaper doctor means less experience, there are times when you’ll find discounted deals from a well qualified doctor’s office or surgery. Y’all so want to look into employee discounts, club member discounts, and other discounts the laser surgery office offers.

There are different countries with vision insurance policies that will cover Lasik surgery. It’s important before working with any elective eye surgery that you find out whether you’re covered or not. You may find that traveling over the border saves you a ton of money in certain areas where Lasik surgery is either cheaper, or covered by insurance.

Many doctors will offer a payment plan on your laser eye surgery. Before embarking on any surgery procedure it’s important to know where your financial obligations lie, whether it’s elective not. Lasik eye surgery is an option for most people with vision problems and to return your vision 20/20, become an informed laser eye surgery prospect by researching before your first Lasik appointment.

Monica Keller asked:

LASIK eye surgery is elective. It is not cosmetic, like facelifts, or medically necessary, like heart bypasses, but it does correct a physical problem and enhance quality of life. However, if you are comfortable wearing glasses or contact lenses, you don’t really have to have any kind of laser eye surgery.

There are a number of reasons why you might not be an ideal candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Not all LASIK surgery alternatives involve the same degree of surgical intervention. For example, intracameral intraocular lenses (ICLs), which are pending approval by the FDA, may become a good option if you are simply too nearsighted or farsighted to benefit from LASIK. A small lens is placed behind the pupil but just in front of the eye’s existing lens, adding another focusing apparatus and changing the orb’s focal point. When approved, this procedure could become quite popular, but probably won’t replace LASIK because of the additional risk.

There are several types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) that can be implanted in the eye, temporarily or permanently, to correct moderate to severe nearsightedness. In nearsighted patients, light rays focus in front of the retina resulting in blurry vision, so the IOL is placed behind the cornea to alter the focus and improve vision. Like LASIK surgery, this is an outpatient procedure than takes little time.

There are several different laser surgery methods available as alternatives if you are not a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. One of the best known, and most widely performed, is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), which uses a laser to sculpt the cornea’s exterior surface. (LASIK makes changes inside the cornea.) For patients with low to moderate nearsightedness and farsightedness, with or without astigmatism, PRK has proven extremely beneficial. This procedure is often recommended if you have certain corneal conditions, such as ulcerated areas, scarring, or what is called “recurrent corneal erosion.” It takes longer to achieve a final result from a PRK surgery because there is a greater amount of tissue that requires healing.

A new procedure called laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) – simply a modification of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) – was developed by an Italian surgeon and first described in the medical literature in 1999. In the LASEK procedure the surgeon loosens the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium); but, unlike PRK, the epithelium is not removed but folded back so the laser can sculpt the cornea as it is exposed. After applying the laser, the surgeon replaces the epithelium over the cornea. Vision recovery following LASEK is usually faster than with PRK, but slower than LASIK.

The LASEK procedure, which utilizes the eye surgeon’s favorite laser (called an “excimer” laser), is not FDA-approved. Surgeons cannot advertise the LASEK procedure except to get subjects for clinical trials. Early results with this procedure are promising, but many additional studies are required before LASEK is accepted as a safe, effective procedure.

Research continues on both surgical and non-invasive vision correction procedures. Using a variety of approaches, from implanting plastic pieces to reshape the cornea to using different heat sources than lasers (like radio waves and probes), doctors and physiologists continue to make progress in the treatment of various eye maladies. Somewhere among the many existing and soon-to-arrive techniques, from LASIK to LASEK, there is bound to be one that matches up well with your diagnosis, goals, expectations and comfort level.

Ricky Lim asked:

The first thing that must be considered when you consider lasik laser eye surgery procedure is the price. It’s hard to offer a fixed price because there are several factors that change the final amount from one case to another.

The first one is the geographical location. For example: a famous surgeon from Beverly Hills is considerably more expensive than another one from Pennsylvania.

Also, the treatment facility must be taken into account because a small private clinic won’t charge the same price as a hospital or a specialized eye treatment center.

Another important factor is the reputation of the surgeon and of the center. It’s obvious that a professional doctor will ask more money for the procedure than any his colleagues.

After considering all the above mentioned factors you’ll probably want to know the average price for the lasik laser eye surgery. Well, the standard rate used globally is about $2000.

But to this amount, you should add money for local taxes, surgeon’s reputation, geographical location and last but not least the doctor’s royalty fee. Either way, you should know that for most surgeons the price is pretty much the same.

If you wonder about additional costs, you should know that your doctor must quote the total amount during your first eye-consult. In addition to all that you’ll have to pay for the follow-up treatment and post-op medication if needed.

There are strong competition in the field of lasik eye surgery and that’s why many surgeons offer some form of discounts in order to remain competitive. Usually they publish the coupons on the local newspaper or on the Internet but just to be sure, when you go see the doctor for the consult you might wanna ask him about any discounts offers.

For example there are a few surgeons that offer discounts to patients that pay cash for the procedure while others offer senior citizen discounts.

Also, if you’re really looking to find a good bargain for your surgery and you don’t mind going to other cities then you should start a research on the Internet.

As I said before the geographical location is very important and if you’re lucky you can find an affordable treatment center perfect for your budget. This means that you’ll get your surgery and you’ll enjoy a very pleasant vacation in the same time.

Louis Zhang asked:


LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.

A laser or a surgical blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea. Then, a laser removes tissue beneath the flap, permanently changing the focusing power of the cornea, thereby improving vision.

Laser eye surgery is relatively painless, quick and convenient. There are two surgical methods from which to choose.

Do your research, ask lots of questions and follow all of the surgeon’s directives both prior to and following the lasik procedure to improve its effectiveness.

The Lasik Procedure In order to access the stroma, the surgeon cuts a flap in the upper portion of the cornea, right above the pupil. Numbing drops are put into the eye, the cornea is marked to aid in replacing the flap, and then the eye area is cleaned.

A lid speculum holds the eye open. High pressure is applied to the eye with a suction ring that is briefly placed directly on the eye. Then the flap is cut. This is called a keratectomy, which may be done by either of two methods.

The time-tested way uses a microkeratome, a cutting instrument or blade. The newer method of cutting the flap is by “laser-only” or femtosecond lasik, sometimes known by the brand name “IntraLase”.

After the suction ring is removed, both lasik methods are nearly identical.

The corneal flap is folded back, and the exposed tissue is allowed to dry. Then, the patient is asked to stare at a light for about sixty seconds to help keep the eye fixed and immobile.

In less than one minute, the lasik computer pulses high-energy ultraviolet light removing the tissue that was previously determined to reshape the cornea most effectively and accurately.

The lasik laser makes clicking sounds, and there may be a smell of burning tissue. After very precise amounts of tissue are removed from the stroma, the surgeon lays the flap back into place. The eye is observed for a few minutes to make sure that proper bonding is taking place.

After Lasik Eye Surgery Once the surgery is complete, a protective shield is placed over the eye, to prevent pressure and anything from bumping the eye. Since there are no stitches in lasik surgery, these precautions must be taken to ensure that the flap remains in place.

Some patients return to work the next day, but most doctors recommend that you wait a few days. Strenuous activity, and non-contact sports should be avoided for up to three days.

Facial products and makeup are out for up to two weeks. The eyelashes may need to be scrubbed fairly often during this time to help prevent infection.

No contact sports are allowed for at least four weeks. Expect to leave off swimming, hot tubs, whirlpools and saunas for up to eight weeks.

Expected Outcomes from Lasik Most lasik patients see huge improvements in their vision by the next day. Vision may continue to improve for three to six months post-operatively. While visual fluctuations may occur temporarily throughout the day, this tendency diminishes over time.

Lasik eye surgery is not for everyone. Most good candidates follow their surgeon’s pre and post-operative directives faithfully. They find their vision, and therefore their lifestyle, greatly enhanced by this laser procedure.

Arvind asked:


Lasik that stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a refractory laser eye surgery in which the deformities in the cornea of the eyes are corrected with mild laser rays. This procedure is approved by FDA and has a high rate of success that is around 92% to 95%. If compared with other forms of corrective eye surgeries, Lasik procedure takes less time, causes less pain and the recovery time in Lasik operation is also minimum. With a Lasik vision correction the common disorders of vision the myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can be cured permanently. So, with a Lasik eye surgery New York you can get rid of those corrective glasses or contact lenses that you have to wear to get proper vision.

In Lasik operation the eyes are numbed, held with a speculum and then immobilized with a corneal suction ring. The surgeon cuts a small incision of the top layer of the cornea with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade or a femtosecond laser microkeratome to make a flap. The flap is then folded and the surgeon uses a low power excimer laser to resurface the stroma so that light is refracted correctly within the eye, while going forward. The process requires optimum precision and promptness of the surgeon for maximum benefit of the patient. So, it is important that you find one reputed Lasik eye institute that have the proper infrastructure and competent doctors to carry out the procedure. If you have chosen Lasik eye surgery New York to do the operation you are never short of options.

Not only Lasik eye surgery New York but you will also find number of Lasik centres throughout the country. In fact Lasik surgery Chicago can also be an option for you. You have to make the choice of Lasik centre based on some factors. It always better to choose a local centre, cost is another factor and of course quality of service remains the first priority.

Whatever Lasik eye surgery New York clinic you choose, make sure you are absolutely ready to undergo a Lasik surgery. Consult your eye surgeon and try to understand the complications of the Lasik surgery. It is wise to opt for the Lasik surgery only when you have a stable vision and didn’t require a change in the prescription for the glasses or contact lens during the last one year.

Alan James asked:


Surgery is a kind of surgical procedure through which the harms of eyesight is being operated. If you are also suffering for such problem or want to remove your spectacles then you can go for Lasik Eye Surgery. You will easily find a lot of surgeons which can alleviate improve your vision. But for the best progress you have to keep two main things in your mind that are you have to follow all the advices prescribed by the surgeon very strictly and second the surgeon, you opt for the surgery should be highly qualified and much experienced because if your surgeon have these quality, you will have less chances of infection and complications during your surgery. Here in this editorial you will surely obtain some tips for that time when you selecting a surgeon for Lasik Eye Surgery.

For Facts of Choosing a Surgeon for an Lasik Eye Surgery you can go to the clinics of many surgeons and ask to them about the qualification and about the period of their medical practice or you can also collect the credentials of many surgeons and after then candidate select any one of them after observing these documents. You can also contact the patients directly who take advantage by the mean of Los angle Lasik Laser Eye Surgery. It is important for you that you have complete knowledge about the eligibility of your surgeon. There are some pots are explained which are essential for you to bear in mind at the time of selecting an appropriate surgeon. Always make it sure that the surgeons are concerned about the health of the patient and they have fewer cases which will be unsuccessful.

Never select the lender on the basis of modern embellishment of surgeon’s clinic but settle on the base of their instruments and experience. Keep away from the surgeon who emits their patients on their assistants and give priority to the surgeons who perform all the check-up may be before the operation or after the operation. If you want some more information about Lasik Eye Surgery, you can also move to internet where many websites are available which can provide you some info about Lasik Eye Surgery.

Joaquin Costa asked:


One of the most difficult you can take in life is an eye surgery. There are many options, Lasek surgery or even Lasik surgery, so today I want to explain you about the differences of this type of prodedures

Laser eye surgery prices can depend a lot on the location of the eye care center where the surgery is being performed. As with all products and services, this variation has a lot to do with the idea of supply and demand. To be safe you need to find experienced leading surgeons, safe sophisticated equipment and the highest standards.

Patients who are not qualified for the Lasik surgery may qualify for Lasek surgery. This type of surgery is done by cutting the outer layer of the cornea. Patients who are unable to cooperate or follow commands, including patients with dementia, nystagmus, deafness or inability to communicate because of language, do better under a regional block with IV sedation.

Patients with these risk factors are more likely to experience complications with traditional LASIK surgery. This procedure allows a surgeon to use a fine tool (trephine) instead of the microkeratome to cut the corneal flap needed to perform laser surgery.

Laser refractive surgery was made possible through the development of the excimer laser. This laser produces a beam of light that is capable of vaporizing thin layers of the cornea, effectively sculpting it into a more appropriate curvature for the eye.

Laser treatment is then programmed to each tiny part of the corneal surface so that every area of the cornea gets the optimised dosage. Contrast sensitivity in low lighting levels is increased and the risk of developing night time halos and glare is greatly decreased. Lasers need to be recalibrated during the surgery day to ensure accurate treatments. We recalibrate our laser between each eye of each patient to ensure the most accurate results.

Laser surgery can open this membrane, helping to clear vision without an operation. This laser procedure is called a capsulotomy.

Lasek, for example, is used mostly for people with thin corneas since LASIK requires more corneal tissue to be successful. PRK is often preferred for patients who may be susceptible to dry eyes since dry eyes are more often a complication of LASIK. LASEK has significantly more short-term side effects than LASIK, not least of which is wearing a contact lens for 4 days – I **** contact lenses at the best of times! I really cound’t use a computer or watch television for those 4 days, and even going to the super market gave me a massive headache. LASEK is similar to LASIK eye surgery and might be an option if you aren’t eligible for LASIK.

Cataract surgery and clear lens extraction for high myopia or hyperopia are also offered in a hospital setting. Cataract patients now have an option to see at both near and far distances after cataract surgery! Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a mono-focal lens implant option after surgery. Cataracts can only be removed through surgery. No medications or eye drops will make cataracts disappear.

Cataracts account for more than half the cases of blindness in the world. So as you can see many eye surgeries are perfectly safe and you need to consider all the options to go for the safest one.