Steven Walters asked:


Lasik surgery has been gaining in popularity over the past years and one of the reasons is that lasik costs have been declining making it more affordable for everyone. Lasik is also popular because it is easy, the recovery period is short and it is safe compared with other vision correction surgery.

Really when you think about all the benefits you receive from lasik surgery the total cost of lasik is quite low. Just think, after your lasik surgery you’ll never have to pay for contact lenses, saline solution or glasses ever again.

Just remember that costs can and do vary widely for lasik surgery. The price is determined by many things such as the doctor performing the lasik, the problem being corrected, the facility where the lasik is performed and the lasik technology being used. You’ll also find that the area of the country you live in will effect the lasik cost.

No doubt you’ve seen ads that promise just $500 per eye for laser vision correction surgery. Don’t be fooled by these low low prices. Usually they don’t include pre-operative and post operative appointments and may also not include testing that can make the surgery safer. A much more realistic lasik cost is between $1000 and $2000 per eye if you include everything.

With all the benefits of lasik it’s a shame that the high cost still puts it out of reach for many people. Insurance usually will not cover the cost of lasik surgery since it is considered elective surgery and even if it is covered the insurance often will only pay a small amount of the total cost of lasik.

Lasik financing is another option used to pay for the surgery and this helps many people to afford their lasik procedure. If you can find a way to make lasik surgery a possibility for yourself you’ll love the freedom you gain from your contact lenses and glasses. Many people think that this freedom justifies the cost of lasik eye surgery and makes it completely worthwhile.

Even with the high cost of lasik people are choosing to accept the price and have lasik done in increasing numbers. Lasik surgery centers have never been so busy and the competition fortunately is causing the price of lasik surgery to decrease. Adding to this is the number of baby boomers that are beginning to have vision problems due to their increasing age. This is a group that is huge in the U.S. and has the money to indulge themselves with lasik.

Many people find that the benefits of lasik surgery outweigh the cost of lasik and this trend should continue into the future as prices continue to decline. Actually, any lasik cost is very likely to be balanced by the savings you’ll get once you no longer need to buy glasses, contacts and saline solutions. Lasik is a very good investment for the future.

Arvind asked:


With the advancement in technology, this defect can completely be removed from the eyes and you can live to fulfill the desire. The technology is LASIK or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK are performed by LASIK eye surgeon to remove vision defects hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism.

Selection of a proper LASIK eye institute is the first thing that the patient should consider before opting for a LASIK eye surgery. Patients, who chooses LASIK plus vision center for their LASIK surgery are always satisfied. LASIK plus vision center provides the latest technology and the most advanced equipments that help the patient to achieve the best vision. LASIK plus vision centers have the best surgeon with excellent expertise, proven skills and updated with leading laser eye technology.

LASIK plus vision center only allows people who are above the age of 18 having no infection in the corneal region of the eye to have LASIK surgery. LASIK Plus vision center uses excimer lasers that has almost no side effects and offers no pain while operating. The patients are given proper routine by the LASIK eye surgeon to follow during the post-LASIK treatment. LASIK Plus vision center do not ensure a 20/20 vision. However, the vision ability improves.

LASIK New Jersey provided by LASIK plus vision center in New Jersey rewards their patient with progressive LASIK technology along with proper care to the patient. LASIK surgery at LASIK plus vision center is affordable, competitive and can even be financed by private firms. Simultaneously, LASIK surgery saves the patient from having major expenditure in buying a new pair of fancy glasses or a pair of trendy lens.

However, pregnant women and kids below 18 years of age are not eligible for the Lasik treatment. And for the candidates going for the Lasik treatment, to ensure whether they will get successful results, an eye exam is conducted before the surgery. The candidates, wearing soft contact lenses, who opt for the Lasik treatment, are advised to stop wearing them for 10-15 days before the surgery and the ones with hard contact lenses, are asked to stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks.

LASIK eye surgeons have performed more than 720,000 successful LASIK surgeries in LASIK Plus Vision Center around the nation. The effects of a successful LASIK Plus surgery stay for more than 15 years. After performing LASIK surgery, the patients receive a new look along with the new desire to achieve their goals.

Patricia Woloch asked:


In the 1990s, in the rush to offer this miraculous new vision correction to the public, some ophthalmologists failed to screen potential patients well enough. LASIK is not safe for everybody. This was quickly realized, and screening became more careful and strict.

If a LASIK surgeon has said you are not a good candidate for LASIK, there could be various reasons for that – related to your eye health, general health, prescription stability, or expectations. But there are also various ways of doing LASIK that have been developed to correct vision for people who are not good candidates for traditional LASIK.

If you have corneas which are too thin or too steep in curvature for LASIK, you can consider Intralase, LASEK, or epi-LASIK, all of which have modified ways of creating the corneal flap. That flap is done to expose the next layer down in the cornea, the stroma, where your LASIK surgeon will direct the laser. Intralase, LASEK and epi-LASIK cut the flap more thinly so as not to weaken the cornea.

Complications vs Side Effects

Keep in mind that complications are different from side effects. A side effect is temporary and minor, although it may be annoying or uncomfortable at the time. LASIK side effects are such things as dry eyes, itching, or a scratchy feeling, which last only a few days, if you have them at all. If you tend to have dry eyes before LASIK is done, that is a disqualifying condition.

Complications are more major conditions which may require a second surgery, or more long-term treatment, and some can even give permanent trouble, but this is very rare.

Wavefront-Guided LASIK

In the early days of LASIK, before wavefront technology was developed, there was a higher rate of complications after LASIK. Wavefront technology is an extremely precise way of diagnosing the eye’s refractive error. It gathers detailed information from which it creates a 3-D map of each eye. Your LASIK doctor then bases your treatment on this information. Most LASIK surgeons now offer LASIK in this form.

Use of wavefront-guided technology gives a more precisely customized treatment for each eye – in fact each treatment is one-of-a-kind. Nobody ever has or ever will receive the same treatment that your right eye will receive. Not even your left eye. By being so exact, it prevents some of the vision distortions that used to be side effects or complications from traditional LASIK. They are things like:

• Poor night vision

• Double vision (also called ghosting)

• Halos

• Starbursts

• Glare around light sources

Potential LASIK Complications

No matter how sophisticated technology becomes, or how many LASIK techniques are developed to expand the pool of safe candidates, LASIK is still a surgery. All surgery brings a certain amount of risk. It is one of the requirements of good candidacy that you accept that fact, and are willing to take a very small risk to obtain a very large and amazing improvement in your vision.

LASIK complications are very rare, less than one percent.

• Infection beneath the corneal flap – usually prevented by antibiotic eyedrops, but sometimes a person doesn’t use them according to the LASIK surgeon’s directions

• Faulty flap healing – can often be corrected by subsequent surgery

• Corneal ectasia – can be an ongoing problem, treated as keratoconus

• Irregularities resulting from faulty flap creation – these can give you those vision distortions listed above

The best way to minimize any chance of LASIK complications is to choose a highly-trained and experienced LASIK surgeon. Choose one who screens patients very thoroughly, answers your questions clearly, has invested in a wavefront-guided LASIK system, and does not pass you off to an assistant.

Keion Moradi asked:


Medical advancement has improved the precision and safety of traditional Lasik. It has also made room for other forms of Lasik. Patients who find they do not meet the ideal standards as a candidate for Lasik have other options. Lasik eye surgery can now accommodate a variety of needs for vision correction. Learn about how to improve your night vision with Lasik.

Traditional Lasik

Lasik is the preferred procedure for many Americans with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. An outpatient procedure that usually takes about 15 minutes, Lasik is performed with a microkeratome blade. The laser eye surgeon creates a flap in the outermost corneal layer. An excimer laser reshapes the cornea, and the flap is then replaced as a natural bandage.

Low Order Aberrations Vs. High Order Aberrations

Lasik is a simple procedure, but many patients have vision correction needs that traditional Lasik is not designed to address. Traditional Lasik is most beneficial to patients with low-order aberrations. Refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism are low-order aberrations that can be corrected with traditional Lasik.

Improve Night Vision With Custom Lasik Surgery

Custom Lasik addresses not only low-order aberrations, but also more complex, difficult-to-detect aberrations. Patients with large pupils, low contrast sensitivity and thin corneas may be able to improve night vision through Custom Lasik. Low-contrast sensitivity is a high order aberration which makes it difficult to see an object against a low-contrast background. People with large pupils are not only prone to poor night vision, but traditional Lasik can also worsen the aberration.

Custom Lasik, Custom Results

Custom Lasik uses wavefront technology to pinpoint refractive errors that are undetectable through traditional Lasik. Wavefront technology creates three-dimensional chart of the cornea, measuring how your eye focuses light. Custom Lasik corrects visual acuity, as well as, visual quality. Lasers guided through wavefront technology are more precise and individualized for each patient.

Custom Lasik may also be the best option for patients with previous laser eye surgery. Custom Lasik can be the answer for correcting past laser eye surgery, with unsuccessful results. Patients who experience complications from traditional Lasik, such as light sensitivity, night glare and halos, may find relief through Custom Lasik.

Lasik Cost

The cost of Lasik surgery can range anywhere from $499 to $2,500. Cost is determined based on the type of Lasik surgery and the condition of your eyes. When making a decision about which type of laser eye surgery will work best with your needs and budget, keep in mind any conditions that may increase the risk of postoperative complications associated with traditional Lasik. Custom Lasik is the most expensive for of Lasik surgery, but may also prevent the need for additional surgeries. If you’re looking specifically to improve night vision, Custom Lasik may be the best route to take.

Because Lasik is considered an elective procedure, most insurance companies will not cover the cost. However, there are many financing options available. Your Lasik surgeon may provide a payment plan. He or she may also work with a few financial institutions. In this case, you may be able to take care of the application process directly at the doctor’s office.

Jennifer Henrie asked:


Most people take their vision for granted, especially if they have never suffered from poor vision. For many, there is no other option except for eye surgery. Other people choose corrective surgery because they are tired of always having to use eyeglasses. As you start looking into your eye surgery options, you will find that there are many new techniques that are used in corrective vision surgery. How do you choose the right procedure? What are the differences between LASIK surgery and the new Epi-LASIK surgery?

The Difference between LASIK and Epi-LASIK Surgery

Epi-LASIK and LASIK surgery are different procedures for corrective eye surgery. These procedures reduce or eliminate a person’s need for glasses or contact lenses. Up until recently, the usual procedure for eye corrective surgery was LASIK surgery. LASIK surgery stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and this procedure basically changes the shape of the eye’s cornea using a laser. During the procedure, a flap is cut in the cornea, and then this flap is folded back to reveal the middle section of the cornea. The laser then changes the shape of the cornea and the flap is then replaced.

Epi-LASIK surgery is also an eye corrective procedure that has evolved from LASIK surgery. It has combined the best elements of LASIK, LASEK and PRK procedures into one. It involves the separation of the epithelial from the top of the cornea, and this eliminates the need to cut into the cornea and create a hinged flap. As opposed to LASIK surgery, Epi-LASIK combines surface based procedures that do not need the flap procedure and the advantages of LASIK surgery, which produce less pain and faster recovery.

Epi-LASIK surgery is still similar to the LASIK technique because it still involves the use of a laser beam to reshape the cornea. It appears to be more effective with people who suffer from mild forms of farsightedness, astigmatism or nearsightedness. If a patient suffers from moderate to severe myopia, then LASIK surgery is still the best option.

Why is Epi-LASIK Surgery Better Than PRK and LASIK Surgery in Some Cases?

Epi-LASIK came about because of certain complications with PRK and LASIK techniques.

• PRK created a large abrasion when removing the epithelial cells and this would cause the patient discomfort. Plus, the procedure caused some haze in the cornea which created haloes around lights. These effects lessened after six months, but were still uncomfortable during that time period.

• LASIK creates a hinged flap, which is not really painful. However, it created other problems caused by the flap, problems such as dry eyes or scratchiness.

Epi-LASIK then tries to avoid the problems associated by both procedures by combining the advantages of surface based procedures that require no flap and the advantages of LASIK that provides less pain and a faster recovery. In essence, Epi-LASIK surgery gives you a shorter visual recovery time and reduces the risk of any complications.

Who does Epi-LASIK surgery benefit?

Studies have shown that people with thin corneas benefit more from this type of surgery, because LASIK surgery requires more corneal tissue in order to create the flap, and these patients don’t have enough corneal tissue.

It is also shown to benefit people who risk having the flap dislodged. These people risk being hit in the face or the eye for any number of reasons, people like athletes or people who work in violent fields, like the military or police fields.

Who Benefits More from LASIK Surgery Rather than Epi-LASIK Surgery?

Patients who have moderate to severe myopia tend to benefit more from LASIK surgery rather than Epi-LASIK. Epi-LASIK suits people who do not have such steep corneas.

Miodrag Trajkovic asked:


After you are fully prepared, the Lasik procedure takes less than fifteen minutes to complete for both eyes. This will seem a remarkably short time to have a permanent change to your vision, and in this regard Lasik seems almost too good to be true. In addition, most Lasik patients notice improved vision immediately or within a few hours after the Lasik procedure has been performed.

This does not mean that you should expect to walk out of the Lasik clinic with perfect vision and without any need to treat your eyes carefully for the next several days. It also means that some Lasik patients will need more time to see the total results for the Lasik procedure, sometimes as much as six months for their vision to stabilize permanently. Anticipate good vision, and take the time and care for the operation to produce its best result.

Usually the Lasik physician will give the post-procedure patient a protective shield for their eyes. This should be worn as long as the physician specifies, and usually only at night for one or two nights. He may also recommend sunglasses during the day if you experience sensitivity to light after the Lasik procedure is done. Discuss these options in detail at the Lasik center before the operation, so you know how to best take care of your eyes.

Many patients at the Lasik centers often get eye drops to keep their eyes moist for some time after the Lasik procedure is done. Again, this varies by patient and by physician, so ask about your particular situation, especially if you are prone to eye dryness on an occasional basis even before the Lasik procedure. Also, it might be helpful to keep any ceiling fans or other air circulation devices off in the household for the first few days.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities the day after the Lasik procedure is done, and do not require any extra assistance from other friends or family members. There is usually little to no post-operative discomfort after Lasik has been performed. It is recommended that patients go to sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik surgery in order to minimize any post-operative discomfort. Upon waking, improved vision from the Lasik corrections should already start to be visible.

This improved vision may not be the final product of the Lasik procedure. The improvement to nearsightedness after Lasik is usually quick and dramatic, though there may be some problems in reading easily for the first few days after the Lasik operation. This is perfectly normal, and should clear up before the week is out.

Patients that use Lasik to improve their farsightedness usually find a dramatic improvement the day after the Lasik surgery. It might be that there is a temporary blurring of objects in the distance, but this will resolve itself. If this condition remains for more than a few days, the Lasik physician can recommend and prescribe temporary glasses until vision is stabilized.

These are all typical post-operative recommends for a Lasik patient, in order to feel comfortable with what to expect after the Lasik procedure. As with any medical treatment, get all of your questions answered by the staff of your Lasik center for your individual case.