While wearing glasses can be a fashion statement for some, others find needing the use of a visual aid to be annoying. However, you may be wondering if the cost of laser eye surgery is really worth having clear vision.
Is the cost of laser eye surgery worth the potential risks and benefits?
Believe it or not, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for clear vision. Here's a guide to help you understand the many benefits of laser eye surgery.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
Laser eye surgery, known as LASIK surgery, is performed with the use of a highly advanced laser. LASIK is performed when a person's eye is incorrectly shaped. Eyes that are too ovicular can cause near or farsightedness in patients as well as astigmatism, resulting in a need for glasses or contact lenses.
To begin, the eye is numbed with a numbing agent to prevent pain during the surgery. Once the eye is completely numb, the surgery can start. A small incision, or flap, is created on the cornea to reveal the tissue underneath.
Once the flap is created, the laser will begin to cut away small pieces of the tissue beneath. This is done to make the eye more circular. The laser is preprogrammed to cut the exact amount of tissue required to help you see better.
After the right amount has been removed, the flap is placed back over the eye and the healing process can begin. There are other forms of LASIK surgery, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Average Cost of Laser Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is a relatively affordable procedure ranging from $1000 to $3000 per eye. This does not account for any additional surgeries due to over or under corrections and can vary based on your location and provider. The price may also vary depending on the type of procedure you elect to have done.
Unfortunately, LASIK surgery isn't commonly covered by medical insurance, so you may have to pay out of pocket for your surgery. This is because it is considered an elective procedure and not having the surgery performed will not endanger your life.
Be sure to talk with your insurance company and healthcare provider before undergoing LASIK surgery. They can help you determine the exact cost of the procedure and the potential ways you can use to fund your surgery.
The Many Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery
While laser eye surgery may seem pricey, the procedure comes with a staggering amount of benefits. Here are just a few of the benefits that you can expect from LASIK.
Little to No Pain from Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is a non-invasive procedure. While you may experience discomfort after the surgery, you shouldn't experience much actual pain; thanks to the drops you receive prior to the surgery, the procedure itself is also pain-free.
Fast and Efficient
The entire procedure usually takes between 20 to 30 minutes per eye. You won't have to waste an entire day getting your eyes fixed; instead, you can expect to be in and out of the operating room within the hour. The machines are also highly advanced, making them extremely efficient when it comes to repairing your eyesight.
No Need for Bandages or Stitches
Once your surgery is completed, you won't need to worry about bandages over your eyes or stitches in your eye. Instead, you can focus on seeing the world clearly with your own two eyes! With proper care, you can spend your healing process relaxing instead of worrying.
Quick Healing Process
After LASIK, you can expect a fast recovery period. While you will have to return to your doctor regularly to ensure your eye is healing properly, you shouldn't have to wait more than a few months before your eye has completely healed.
Low-Risk Procedure
Although not risk-free, LASIK surgery has very few serious risks associated with it. This is due to the non-invasive route that surgeons take, as well as the high-tech machinery used to complete the surgery.
No More Need for Glasses
Many individuals find that they no longer need any glasses or contact lenses after their surgery is completed. While some do require light glasses to clear up their vision, most find themselves seeing clearly without aid after they've healed.
Corrections Can Be Made if Needed
If you find later on that your eyes have started reverting to their original prescription, you can return to have adjustments made. Even if this is done years after the original surgery, you can still have corrections done to improve your vision later on.
How to Know If Laser Eye Surgery Is Right for You
Do these benefits sound good to you? If so, you may be considering whether or not LASIK surgery is a good choice for you. Here are a few signs that you should ask your doctor about laser eye surgery.
You're Sick of Wearing Glasses or Contacts
Are you tired of wearing glasses or contacts everywhere you go? If so, that's a pretty clear indicator that LASIK surgery is a great option for you. LASIK eye surgery is a fantastic opportunity to help you rid yourself of the need for a visual aid without too many risks and a lot of rewards.
Your Corneas are Thick Enough for Surgery
In order to be eligible for LASIK surgery, your corneas, or the whites of your eyes, need to be a certain thickness. Your doctor will be able to advise you on this, so don't worry. If your eyes are too thin, then LASIK surgery may not be a viable option, as the surgery would no longer be safe.
If you do have thin corneas, your doctor may be able to suggest an alternative form of LASIK surgery that doesn't involve creating a flap in the skin.
What to Expect After Laser Eye Surgery
Once your surgery is over, you should prepare for the healing process. Here's what you can expect after LASIK surgery.
Potential Side Effects
While modern LASIK surgery is a safe procedure, there are still some side effects you should be aware of. These include, but are not limited to:
- Overly dry eyes
- Glare, halos, or double vision
- Under corrections or over corrections that will require additional surgeries
- Issues with the flap on your cornea
- Regression to your prescription before your surgery
- Vision loss or changes
If you notice any odd changes in your vision, you may find that they go away on their own over time. However, if the changes are severe or do not go away on their own, you should report them to your doctor right away.
Aftercare
Once your anesthetic begins to wear off, you should expect discomfort in your eye. You may also experience an itching or burning sensation; this is normal, so don't worry! If you have any concerns, make sure you bring them up with your doctor right away.
Your vision will be blurry for the first 24 hours after surgery, and your eye may feel dry. Your doctor will likely prescribe you eye drops to keep your eyes moist and quicken the healing process.
In order to prevent any accidents while your eyes heal, you should avoid excessive exercising as well as rubbing or touching your eyes. Strenuous activity can cause the flap in your cornea to reopen, extending the healing process. You should also avoid using eye makeup for at least one week after surgery to avoid potential infections.
You will be asked to return to your doctor within the first week of your surgery to check your progress and test how accurate the surgery was. If your eyesight is not as clear as you'd like it, you may need follow-up surgeries to better your vision. These visits will continue the first few months after your surgery as well to ensure that your eye is healing properly.
See a Brighter Future with Laser Eye Surgery
As you can see, LASIK eye surgery is a great way to correct your vision without having to worry about the cost of laser eye surgery. If you want to ditch your glasses and still see the world clearly, then it's time to ask your doctor about LASIK eye surgery today!
Pun intended, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs of laser eye surgery. Millions of people have turned to LASIK to see life through crystal clear eyes. While our provincial health care will not cover an elective surgery such as this, a private insurance plan will definitely help to off set the cost. We at Insurdinary are a top rated financial comparison platform, and can provide the lowest quotes on the market for you. Fill out our quote form today. One of our experienced agents is looking forward to working with you.
