How much does LASIK cost?
LASIK or Laser Asssited in-situ Keratomiluesis is an efficient procedure to treat your vision problems specifically nearsightedness or myopia. It can also be used as a treatment for astigmatism caused by irregular shaping of the cornea and hyperopia or farsightedness. There can be various types of LASIK procedures that can be prescribed to you by your specialist depending on the gravity of your condition. Make sure you do a lot of research or consult your ophthalmologist when you are thinking of having this treatment. LASIK can make you get rid of those glasses and contacts that have been using for years. So how much does LASIK cost?
Procedure
LASIK will only last around 30 minutes, on average. The patient remains conscious on the entire duration of the operation. It usually begins when the surgeon cuts a small flap of tissue from your cornea using a special instrument called a microkeratome. There is a special device used that will hold your eyelids open. An anesthetic agent or numbing substance is then applied in the eyes. Pressure is then created on the cornea by placing a suction ring on it. By reshaping the cornea, the surgeon will actually adjusts the focus of light in the retina and this then corrects the vision problems. After reshaping, the corneal flap is then put back in place. The cornea usually heals quickly so vision improvements are often experienced immediately.
There are several factors that may affect how much LASIK cost. There is a universal standard though for refractive surgery prices. It is always quoted per eye.
· Surgeon’s professional fee (that will depend upon skill, experience and reputation)
· Type of laser technology
· Preoperative laboratories, medications, consults, & etc.
· Post operative medications, consults, and other hospital fees
· Geographical location
Standard LASIK would be a least expensive option available for you. It is not wave front guided and the flap is done using a mechanical microkeratome device. This is by far the oldest LASIK technology offered nowadays. Results are quite well with standard LASIK. The only disadvantage is that it poses a higher risk for complications like flap problems, night time glares, and other vision irregularities.
The most expensive LASIK is wave front guided and performed using the latest technology of generation excimer laser. The flap is made with a femtosecond (IntraLase) laser. This state of the art innovation provides accurate computer mapping of an eye that will help provide better visual outcomes.
For wavefront-guided LASIK, it should cost you about $350 to $500 for every eye. With the new IntraLase Flap, you would be spending around $2,400 per eye and that would be almost $5,000 for both of your eyes. On the other hand, for standard LASIK price with a microkeratome flap, the expected cost would be around $1,700 per eye.
A lot of insurance companies consider LASIK as an elective surgery and most of the time, they don’t cover it. You better check with them before undergoing the procedure or you can also ask your doctor for financing options.
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