There are plenty of people dealing with eyesight issues. Many struggle with being either nearsighted or farsighted. Duly, a traumatic accident could result in eye damage. The same can be said about any abnormality biological in nature.
Fortunately, medical advancements have created laser-eye procedures to help millions with their vision issues. This piece will specifically delve into the trendy LASIK surgery — as well as other methods used for vision clarity. Along with that, a price-point estimate will be explored — along with potential risks and side-effects.
Procedure Options
Before having any procedure, doctors will assess the status of the eye in question. A detailed questionnaire is followed by a thorough examination. Complications could develop if one has large pupils, glaucoma, cataracts, any sort of existing eye injury, an eye disease, or dry eyes. Those with diabetes or auto-immune disorders may be compromised as well.
There are a number of potential laser eye options. Of course, many of them involve forming a flap in order to improve the eyesight. Some of these options include PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) and LASEK (laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy).
For some patients, doctors opt for implantable lenses. These lenses will surgically be implanted in the eye. This is often used as a method for older patients. Additionally, younger patients beset by nearsightedness opt for this method quite frequently.
Lastly, the method called bioptics utilizes both LASIK traits as well as lenses. This isn’t overly common for most seeking eye surgery.
Cost
The cost of LASIK surgery can vary in price depending upon the establishment chosen for the procedure. Those interested in the procedure must keep in mind that many insurance plans view LASIK surgery as an elective procedure. As such, many insurance plans will not pay for laser eye surgery.
As an average price, LASIK surgery can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. The interested party really must do their due diligence in trying to find the most cost-effective plan — though searching for a quality doctor is also equally as important.
Potential Side Effects/Risks
There are some things to keep in mind before undergoing this procedure. For one, LASIK could cause patients to have dry eyes for three to four months. Duly, a rather random side effect includes something called nighttime glare/double vision. Patients are not supposed to rub their eyes post-procedure. The flaps surrounding the eyes need ample time to heal before being touched. If there’s any sort of contact, the eye could become dislodged.
In more severe cases, undercorrections come into play (particularly for those who are nearsighted). There have been cases where multiple LASIK surgeries have been done on the same eye to remove any excess eye tissue.
Image Source: Missouri Eye Institute