The world is beautiful, and it’s even more so when you can see it clearly. If you have astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia, or perhaps you have become near-sighted with age, then laser eye surgery could be the answer to your visual needs. However, there are several things that a person should consider before moving forward with such a procedure. Let’s take a look at some of those considerations now.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
The final cost of laser eye surgery will depend on several factors, the first being what type of surgery will be performed. The other two factors are your location and the clinic where you choose to do the surgery. That said, the average cost of LASIK surgery is about $2000 per eye.
If you don’t want to get LASIK and opt for a different type of surgery (which we’ll dive into), you can expect to spend more than that. In any case, laser eye surgery is a worthwhile investment. People are often curious if their health insurance will cover the cost of laser eye surgery.
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Health insurance providers often don’t cover the cost of laser eye surgery because it’s not necessary for medical or vision care. Different providers have different rules, so if you want to ensure your insurance covers the cost of laser eye surgery, check.
What will be your final eye color after the surgery?
The color of your eyes will be determined by the type of laser eye surgery you choose. If you opt for PRK, you will likely retain the color of your iris, which is what makes your eyes, well, blue, green, brown, etc. However, if you go for LASIK, your surgeon may choose to put a special dye on your eye before surgery that will temporarily change the color of your iris to black.
This will help them visualize what they are doing during surgery and ensure that their vision ends up being perfect. Unfortunately, this dye will not be removed before your post-surgery checkup. That means that you’ll have black eyes for the next few days. Therefore, you should look for professional LASIK eye surgery in Las Vegas or your local major city.
Who is a good candidate for laser eye surgery?
If you’re not near-sighted or farsighted and have astigmatism, then you may not need to have laser eye surgery. You may be able to use contact lenses and glasses to correct your vision. That said, if you’re suffering from extreme near-sightedness (severe myopia) or you have hyperopia (severe farsightedness), then laser eye surgery could be the way to go as it’s the only way to correct these conditions.
There are also medical conditions like diabetes and other autoimmune diseases that call for laser eye surgery. That said, you should consult with an optometrist to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Which type of procedure should you go for?
If you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery, you’ll likely choose between PRK and LASIK. While both procedures achieve the same thing — correcting your eyesight — there are some slight differences between them.
PRK (which stands for photorefractive keratectomy) is a bit riskier since it involves scraping your corneas. At the same time, LASIK uses a high-powered laser to create a flap and change the structure of your corneas.
What are the side effects of LASIK and PRK?
As we have mentioned, LASIK may cause a temporary change in eye color, but this will subside in a few days. There is also a small risk of infection and vision issues. However, make sure to follow your eye doctor’s instructions to the letter.
Additionally, the main risk of PRK involves scraping your corneas. This can lead to eye infections, blurring, dry eyes, and other issues. That said, the risks associated with PRK are significantly less than those of LASIK.
Closing Thought
Laser eye surgery is a quick, affordable, and safe way to improve your vision. All you have to do is find a surgeon who is experienced in the procedure and make sure that you are a good candidate for it. Take the time to look into different surgery types and decide which would be best for you.
Written by: Samantha Higgins
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction.