The Cost Of LASIK Procedures
Depending on where you live and what procedure you choose, laser eye surgery cost will differ widely. Typically, LASIK and other laser eye surgery procedures are quoted as price per eye . If your LASIK surgeons uses new technologies he will also charge more than those who use older equipment. Intralase, a LASIK procedure that uses a laser instead of a metal blade to create the flap at the cornea, will also cost more. However, don't let the cost of surgery become your first priority when you consider LASIK surgery. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You will get what you pay for in most cases. Generally, they can offer discounted prices because they have a high volume of patients giving them little time to pay close attention to detail. The cost may also be low because they use outdated equipment that will get the job done but will cause the lenses to suffer a longer recovery period. Then again, it could be an introductory price for them to initially become known in the local market and there are no negative reasons for the low cost. It is your job to investigate to be safe.
Once your doctor has ruled out other problematic eye conditions, there is no special preparation needed for LASIK. The doctor will complete a topography and pachimetry to map out the exact shape of the eye, along with the cornea's curvature and thickness. This data will help him plan the surgery. During surgery, you will find a special operating bed designed to be used with the excimer laser. The operating microscope will be located in front of you. Throughout the surgery, the microscope will project a bright light. The doctor will cover your face with sterile drapes with oxygen given under them. To maintain the sterile field, you should not touch the drapes. To keep your eyes open, a small device will be placed on the eyelids. You will only feel pressure as the first cut is made with the microkeratome. As the microkeratome blocks the light as it passes in front of the eye, the doctor will have you to look inside the laser for a blinking light. You should try your best to hold your head and eye completely still. Finally, the doctor will replace the layers of the cornea to finish the surgery. A solution is used throughout the procedure to keep your eye hydrated; it may feel like cold water. This type with the blade will generally cost around $1700 per eye. LASIK is performed with anesthetic eye drops. There are no shots or general anesthesia. You will be awake the whole time but feeling no pain. The surgery takes only 5 minutes per eye, usually. This is an out-patient operation so no hospitalization is needed. This will help with costs since there is not hospital fee and overnight stay. If you choose to use the intralase method, you will spend closer to $2100 per eye. The newer wavefront technology will run near $2400. For proper recovery, do not squeeze your eye for the first 5 days afterwards. Normally, it will feel like something is in your eye, like an eyelash. Although you leave with no bandages, for a couple of days your vision will be blurry. The doctor will prescribe eye drops for 2 to 3 weeks. Only two weeks after surgery, you should be back to your normal activities. Following proper follow up care will keep you from running into costly complications that will only increase the laser eye surgery cost that you have already are paying. |
