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Lasik Eye Surgery Questions & Answers
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Lasik Eye Surgery FAQ's
    

Lasik vision correction surgery can benefit many people who experience low to moderate vision problems. Lasik is a quick and painless procedure, but there are some risks and complications involved with the surgery. If you are thinking about have the Lasik procedure, it is important to understand what happens before, after and during surgery. It is also beneficial to have realistic expectations of the surgery before the procedure begins.

Most good Lasik doctors will talk to you and fully explain the before and after procedure. Like most patients, you will probably have many questions about the Lasik surgery. The following are a list of most commonly asked questions about the Lasik eye surgery.

Am I a good candidate for Lasik?

Whether or not you are a good candidate for Lasik depends on many factors. When you make an initial appointment for Lasik, your eye care professional will ask many questions and take a thorough health history. In addition, you eyes and the history of your vision problems will also be a major factor in whether or not you can have the Lasik procedure. For people with certain health problems such as autoimmune diseases and diabetes, Lasik is generally not recommended. Those under the age of 18 are also not good candidates. Certain degenerative eye diseases might also disqualify you from having Lasik. Your Lasik surgeon will make a decision based on all of these factors. Those who are not good candidates for the surgery can have poor outcomes.

Will Lasik vision correction eliminate the need for corrective lenses?

The short answer to that is maybe. Most people who have the Lasik procedure may still need to wear some form of glasses or contacts. This does not mean that the surgery had a poor outcome. This is normal and should be expected. Lasik is not a means to completely correct vision problems. It is designed to improve vision. Those who go into Lasik expecting perfect vision with an unrealistic expectation should not undergo treatment.

Are there risks of having the Lasik procedure?

Yes. As with any surgery or medical procedure there are risks. Most people who have the surgery do not have problems, however some people do. The most commonly reported side effect of the Lasik procedure is reduced low light vision. This can cause glowing or halos around lit objects at night. After some time the side effects of the Lasik procedure will disappear over a period of time. There are some long-term complications that have been report, though they are rare. Some people could experience worse eyesight than they had before surgery.

Does the procedure hurt?

The Lasik procedure is quick and painless for most patients. Each eye only takes a minute or two. The eye is numbed using drops and patients will stay awake the entire time. For those who feel uncomfortable about the surgery, a mild sedative can be given. Most patients are able to walk out of the surgery center after the procedure is complete.

Will I need to take time off of work after the procedure?

Yes, most patients do need to take some time off of work following the procedure. This can vary though according to the work. Most of the time patients can start back to work in two to three days, especially for jobs that are sedentary. It will be necessary to rest the eyes after surgery, so a lot of computer work may bother the eyes after surgery. You will need to talk to your Lasik doctor about when you can start back to work.

How much does the procedure cost?

The cost of Lasik will depend on where you live, the condition of the eyes and what kind of technique is used. Those with more severe vision problems will cost a bit more. Usually, you can plan on spending at least $2000 for the Lasik procedure.

Does insurance cover Lasik?

Most of the time, insurance plans do not cover Lasik vision correction because it is considered elective. Some insurance plans have extended eye care plans that help defray the costs of Lasik. If you insurance plan does not cover Lasik, check with your employer. Some employers offer their employees special rates for going to a certain clinic for Lasik. Sometimes Lasik can be paid for by using a cafeteria plan.

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