May 29, 2009
Lasik Doctors Should Not Make You Feel Nervous
Is it cheaper for someone living in the United States to go to Canada to have Lasike surgery done? Anyone who is on a budget might be trying to find a place to get it performed cheaper and yet still have a reliable doctor. Some people have gone to Canada to have Lasik done because it was somewhat cheaper but that was before the Canadian dollar got strong.
For an example lets assume you are considering lasik in Portland and you have heard that it was cheaper in Canada. Canada is about a 4 hour drive from Portland so it might be worthwhile to have it done there. However, In the past three years or so the Canadian dollar has gained on the US dollar so Lasik in Canada has gotten more expensive. After you factor in all the travel expenses becomes clear that going to Canada tfor Lasik surgery is probably not worth the drive. Also, as the technology gets better and the procedure has become refined, the price of Lasik has gone down in the US as well.
Your best to find a good laser surgeon is by word of mouth. There are so many laser doctors in the major cities which makes it hard to make a decision on which doctor to go with. If you have friends who have had the procedure done, you could ask them to recommend a Lasik doctor to you. The more feedback you have about a variety of laser eye doctors will better enable you to pick the one that others have felt the most comfortable with.
Lasik eye surgery has become very safe and yet it still is a nerve racking experience for many people. This is because it deals with the eyes which are so important to our way of life. Lasik eye surgery is a choice people make and so it is smart to take your time and pick a doctor that you feel comfortable with. It makes no sense to have it done by someone like or feel right about. Asking your friends about the doctors they used will help steer you in the right direction in making a good choice.
Your eyesight is obviously a very important part of your life and you should not risk it in any way. If you don’t like the first doctor you go to, there are surely many more in whatever city you live in so keep on looking till you find the one you like.
Filed under Laser Eye Surgery, News by Art Norman
May 28, 2009
Following up Lasik Surgery with an Enhancement
By and large most patients end up satisfied with their LASIK surgery. Not all people who have undergone LASIK however achieve their desired result. The most common cause of dissatisfaction among most LASIK patients is the over correction or under correction of their vision. Over correction or under correction can normally be treated with a LASIK enhancement, meaning a second procedure
Most patients do not require or elect to undergo a second treatment. Patients initially requiring a higher degree of correction are more likely to need enhancements. An enhancement procedure may be performed on only one eye or both.
Most patients who choose to have an enhancement find that their eyesight is greatly improved as a result. Be aware that having a second treatment does not guarantee perfect eyesight and that the same risks that the patient has to consider before having their first surgery need to be considered again prior to the second. Your doctor will help set realistic expectations and answer any questions you have about the risk associated with having another LASIK procedure.
If after your first LASIK procedure your vision is improved, but not as good as you had hoped for, re-treatment might be an option. The decision to have a second procedure is as important as the decision you made to have the initial surgery. After speaking with your doctor, you may decide that you are satisfied with sometimes needing to wearing glasses. If, for example, the only time you have problems with your vision is when you are driving a car in low light conditions, such as at night, you might decide that an enhancement procedure is not necessary. Your doctor can help you make this decision based on your circumstances.
A typical scenario for somebody considering enhancement might be a slight under correction in both eyes after having LASIK surgery. You might find that you have excellent vision for seeing close up, but seeing at distances might be an issue. Or you may find that you have trouble driving at night without eyeglasses. Less than perfect results such as these may make you decide to undergo an enhancement procedure.
If you arrive at the decision to have an enhancement, the procedure will feel somewhat familiar to you. You may feel much more comfortable the second time around. That does not mean that you do not have to consider things such as possible complications and other risk factors. Even if you had no problems post surgery the first time around, that does not mean that there cannot or will not be problems following the second. Make sure you re-familiarize yourself with the risks and carefully consider whether more surgery is the right thing.
In the event that your LASIK surgery does not produce a result with which you feel is satisfactory, you may decide to explore the idea of further enhancement. You’ll need to consult with your LASIK surgeon in order to decide if additional treatment is right for you. Depending on your doctor’s terms, you may have to pay again or enhancements may have been accounted for in your initial fee.
Filed under Laser Eye Surgery, News by Jayson Lee
May 24, 2009
How to Pick the Right Lasik Surgeon for You
If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, you might be thinking about having LASIK surgery. Your choice of doctors is an important part of your treatment. Your doctor will assist you in all stages of the process. This includes before during and after LASIK eye surgery.
Choosing the right doctor is perhaps the most important choice you have to make when considering the LASIK procedure. In researching different facilities you may get the idea that your choice of doctor is not very important. This is, of course, not true whatsoever. While the laser used and the facilities where your procedure will be performed are important considerations, your doctor is the one who determines how you will be treated and plans your pre-and post-surgical care.
The level of comfort that you feel with a particular doctor will often determine your choice. You need to be confident in their experience, their training, and their ability. Trusting your doctor and being comfortable enough to ask any questions you have is a vital part of choosing the right doctor for you.
You may encounter other factors that attempt to influence your choice but it is important that they don’t. For example adds touting low-cost LASIK surgery should not impact your choice. These ads are designed to get a response not to assure the best care. If you ask your regular eye doctor for a recommendation, you should also ask if your doctor has a compensation arrangement with the doctor he is referring you to. Such arrangements can lead to biased recommendations so you should be aware if they exist.
Researching the doctor’s credentials is another step you will want to undertake. Speak with others who have had LASIK surgery performed by the doctor you are considering if possible. A doctor should not shy away from disclosing their experience their education or their training so you shouldn’t feel awkward about asking.
Choosing a LASIK surgeon for your procedure is a vital component to the success of and your overall satisfaction with your treatment. Questions to ask yourself include is the doctor a good listener? Does the doctor thoroughly and specifically answer all of your questions? Do you get a sense that the doctor cares about you? The decision is not one that you can take lightly so gather as much information as you can and get a feel for your doctor.
Filed under Laser Eye Surgery, News by Jayson Lee
May 22, 2009
Lasik surgery guidelines
A LASIK procedure can be expensive, and there aren’t many insurance companies that will cover the surgery. Those facts make it difficult for a lot of people to afford. But, the procedure can be a little more affordable, if you learn from the pointers offered in this article.
Choose a good surgeon that has been in business for a while. A reliable doctor is a good find- not only will picking the right one save you money, it will also ensure your eyes’ health and safety. If you go with a less experienced surgeon, you may have a larger risk of complications, and you may end up having a procedure done that wasn’t entirely necessary.
Try to avoid discount and package deals. A city doctor might try to lure you by promising that you’ll get perfect vision, or they’ll offer a huge discount. Generally, there’s no guarantee with LASIK surgery, because the doctor cannot surely predict what will happen. Doctors that offer discounts usually can afford to do so because they also offer less service.
Also, your surgery may be tax-deductible. However, your medical expenses must be over a certain portion of your gross income for this to be the case. If you think you’ll qualify for the tax break, and planned to get LASIK anyway, it may be a good idea- it can end up saving you some money.
You may also save by not having to buy glasses or contacts yearly, and you won’t have to worry about exams and fittings. Although, you should consider that you may still need corrective lenses after you get LASIK, and if you don’t need them immediately, you will most likely need them when you get older.
A lot of bosses have programs that allow employees to put aside a little bit every month in case they need to pay some medical bills. Using this money for LASIK has a big advantage- it’s tax free.
Knowing that LASIK isn’t covered by insurance and is expensive, a lot of eye surgeons are now offering interest free loans with a payment plan. While these may sound like a good option if you want to save money, be careful and read the fine print so that you know what you’re getting into.
Filed under Laser Eye Surgery, News by Frank Jackson
May 19, 2009
Five Frequently Asked Questions About Lasik Surgery
If you are thinking about having lasik surgery done, you probably have a lot of questions. Your doctor can best address any and all questions you have about the procedure. Five of the most common questions and answers about lasik appear below.
Will lasik surgery eliminate my need for eyeglasses or contact lenses? The vast majority of people who have undergone lasik surgery will, without eyeglasses or contacts, test at 20/20 or better. Almost all lasik patients will wind up at 20/40 or better. While 20/40 without corrective lenses is not considered perfect, it is usually enough to pass required vision exams for things such as a driver’s license, a career in law enforcement or a pilot’s license. Requirements do vary so check into them if necessary.
Does lasik eye surgery hurt? During the procedure there is a low level of discomfort. In the days following surgery, your eyes may feel dry and gritty. Your doctor will thoroughly explain the procedure and give you instructions for dealing with any discomfort following surgery.
What does lasik eye surgery cost? Since your health insurance likely will not cover lasik surgery, it is a good idea to get a sense of price. There is no standard price, however, and a number of factors could affect what you ultimately end up paying. For example, it might cost less if your vision requires only minor correction, but it might cost more if you opt for wavefront or custom lasik. Expect to pay between $1500 and $2500 per eye.
Can I go blind from having lasik surgery? There is a chance of going blind when having surgery performed on your eyes, but no cases of blindness being caused by lasik surgery have been reported to the FDA . Over correction, under correction and dry eye are some of the other risks. The risks and possible complications associated with lasik eye surgery should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.
After lasik surgery, are there certain activities I should avoid? You should be able to return to work the day after surgery as long as your job is not one that could be overly impacted while your eyes heal. You can participate in most of your normal activities without worry. You will be cautioned against swimming, certain contact sports and other activities where dust or water could irritate your eyes. Your doctor will advise you on what you can and cannot do following surgery so if you have any questions regarding a specific activity be sure to ask.
In this article, we looked at five very common questions about lasik eye surgery. If you are considering the procedure, you probably have quite a few more. Your doctor will discuss these issues and answer any additional questions you have about lasik surgery.
Filed under Laser Eye Surgery, News by Jayson Lee

