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If you'd like to correct your vision problems, laser eye surgery could be just the solution you're looking for. Laser procedures use a special laser that corrects vision problems by reshaping the cornea, allowing you to regain proper focusing abilities. As a result of laser eye surgery, most patients notice a remarkable improvement in their vision - in fact, the majority of them completely eliminate their dependency on corrective lenses.
LASIK
LASIK eye surgery is the latest, most talked about form of laser eye surgery. It uses an excimer laser that performs the actual operation of reshaping the cornea to restore proper vision. This type of laser has the ability to vaporize selected portions of the cornea without generating heat. The surgeon makes a small incision on the outer layer of the cornea to produce a flap. This flap is folded back out of the way while the laser makes the necessary corrections to the underlying portion of the cornea. Upon completion of the laser processing, the corneal flap is repositioned, restoring proper vision almost immediately. The entire process takes only a few minutes, it's virtually painless, and it works wonders!
PRK
PRK laser eye surgery differs from LASIK in that it does all of its corrections to the outside layer of the cornea, therefore it does not require the cutting of the cornea to produce the corneal flap. After removing a small amount of the outer layer of the cornea, the laser turns its attention to the underlying area, reshaping it to correct vision defects.
PRK laser eye surgery requires a longer healing time than LASIK, since a portion of the outer layer of the cornea has actually been removed and must grow back. As a patient, you'll probably be required to wear an eye bandage for two or three days for protection. Additionally, PRK patients will generally experience more discomfort during the healing process than LASIK patients.
Why would anyone want PRK instead of LASIK? PRK is actually the best choice for certain patients. For example, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK if your cornea is exceptionally thin or if you have unusually large pupils. You doctor will make the determination about which procedure is best for you upon examination.
LASEK
LASEK is a modified version of the PRK procedure. LASEK uses a 20% alcohol solution to sofeten the outer layer of the cornea for easy removal. This layer is then replaced after the laser process has been completed. The major advantages of LASEK is a shorter healing time than PRK and no cutting is done as with LASIK procedures.
CUSTOM VUE LASIK
Basically the same as LASIK, except that the laser is computer guided, rather than being manipulated directly by the surgeon. During an exam, your eye contour is mapped by a sophisticated computer controlled system. The data gathered is then used to program the laser used during the actual LASIK procedure. Reports indicate the this method is 25% more accurate than previous LASIK systems.
As far as the cost of LASIK eye surgery is concerned, the only worldwide standard is that prices are quoted per eye. However, the cost depends on several factors and varies from one provider to another. A strong reason behind such a variation is that different providers perform different levels of pre-operative testing. A thorough pre-operative examination can avoid LASIK complications, and hence it's imperative to determine if appropriate pre-operative testing is included in the quoted price.
The cost of equipment used for pre-operative testing and surgery also varies, and this reflects in the overall procedure fee. Computer-controlled scanners to determine the exact shape of the cornea, eye tracking device, tear film analysis, the laser used to make incisions, and all other pertinent equipment vary in cost from one medical center to another.
A few unscrupulous practitioners may advertise their services at a discounted price. Don't be fooled if an ad says, “LASIK for $500 per eye”. The truth is that not all patients are eligible for a discounted price. A particular patient may require an extensive refractive surgery in the first place, or frequent follow ups after the surgery. Furthermore, it is typically the case that a discounted price does not include the essential pre-operative testing. Hence, make sure what features are being offered for the quoted price. Cases have been reported where medical institutes have been found guilty of misrepresenting the actual cost of LASIK eye surgery.
As the popularity for LASIK eye surgery rises, so does the incurred cost. A leading refractive industry newsletter reported that the average cost for LASIK eye surgery in the second quarter of 2005 was 1,965 USD. The study was based on a comprehensive research of various medical facilities, ranging from regional practitioners to nationwide networks. Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK eye surgery, since they consider it as a cosmetic procedure.
People are tempted to choose a surgeon that offers a discounted price. But that may be an act of foolishness. The smarter thing is to choose the best surgeon available who has experience of this procedure. There is no point risking your vision for the sake of a petty few dollars.
If in doubt you should seek further information.