Many patients may hesitate to undergo LASIK due to its elective nature and non-covered by insurance; however, financing options can help alleviate the financial strain of all-at-once payment for this procedure.
Always bear in mind that anything too good to be true often is. Avoid sales gimmicks and educate yourself about what qualities and technology to look for when selecting a surgeon and healthcare facility.
The Surgeon
Your choice of surgeon for LASIK surgery will enormously affect how much the procedure costs. When selecting one, look for someone with a successful track record using cutting-edge eye care technology and with whom you feel at ease discussing treatment and potential costs. Check their license, certifications, and online reviews as a starting point – or discuss this during an initial consultation meeting.
Have any queries about LASIK that you want answered by your doctor, such as when the surgery will clear up and any risks or complications? A skilled eye surgeon should be able to address all your queries thoroughly while giving an estimate of what results to expect after having it performed.
At your initial eye exam, your doctor will use an automated instrument to measure the shape of the front of your eye and create a cornea map. They will also assess pupil size and corneal tissue shape to see if you qualify as a good candidate for LASIK surgery. In addition, they will determine general health issues and review any medications or supplements you are taking.
If you qualify for LASIK, your eye doctor will use a microkeratome or femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the surface of your cornea and peel back a piece for reshaping with another laser before replacing the flap into its place and ending the procedure.
Laser-based treatments such as LASIK can help treat numerous eye conditions, such as hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. Unfortunately, it’s not suitable for everyone; in certain instances, a person’s cornea might be too thin to undergo the procedure, or they have a medical condition that prevents healing – such as an autoimmune disease.
If LASIK isn’t right for you, your eye care provider will discuss alternative procedures like PRK or SMILE, which offer similar results but cater more closely to patients with thinner corneas or higher prescriptions.
The Technology
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and refers to surgery that changes the shape of your cornea to allow light rays from passing through it better focus onto the retina at the back of your eye. With LASIK, eyeglasses or contact lenses may no longer be needed, and astigmatism can be easily corrected.
LASIK surgery is performed as an outpatient process in an outpatient setting. Before your LASIK procedure, you must cease wearing hard or soft contact lenses for at least two weeks to preserve the cornea’s natural shape and avoid infections or inflammation before surgery.
At your LASIK consultation, your doctor will use an instrument known as a lid speculum to keep your eye open during laser treatment. A laser will create a thin flap on the surface of your cornea that you may hear clicking or smell as part of this step; later on, an excimer laser reshapes it for improved vision correction – you may experience pressure but won’t experience pain during this part of the procedure.
Custom LASIK can offer superior surgical results to standard LASIK, using 3D corneal topography mapping to sculpt it to meet individual specifications. Although more expensive, custom LASIK provides more significant consequences, such as less post-op nighttime glare.
Your complimentary LASIK consultation provides an opportunity to better understand all of the technologies involved with laser eye surgery, with a team able to explain all your options and assist you in selecting one best suited to your individual needs.
Always look for surgeons with cutting-edge equipment when selecting a surgeon to perform your LASIK procedure. Be wary of places advertising low prices, as these may use bait-and-switch tactics or outdated technology that will negatively affect results. All lasers used for LASIK must first pass FDA testing before being used – ask your ophthalmologist what equipment they are using before choosing an option that may cost less.
The Insurance
Healthcare can be costly. Eye care costs can quickly add up, with regular visits, glasses, and contacts often adding up quickly. That is why many people turn to vision insurance plans to cover these costs and any future surgeries they might need – though most private providers, as well as Medicare, do not cover LASIK surgery since it is considered elective rather than medically necessary.
However, if an ophthalmologist can demonstrate that LASIK is necessary to correct a specific eye issue for their patient, some insurers may cover its cost. Although this option may not be widely available, working closely with your ophthalmologist on this front could lead to success.
If your medical or vision insurance does not cover LASIK, there may still be ways to make the procedure more affordable. For instance, you could utilize funds from an employer-provided flexible spending or health savings account to pay for surgery costs. You might even find an independent discount plan offering savings of up to 50% off the procedure’s total price.
Such options tend to be found with vision-specific insurance plans rather than health plans, yet they can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over surgery costs without them. Many programs include free exams, significant surgery discounts, and savings on lenses, frames, contact lens solutions, and other eye care products.
LASIK may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly if you have certain medical conditions like thin corneas or an autoimmune disease like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Still, if it fits within your budget and you meet all other eligibility criteria, it can significantly improve or even correct your vision permanently.
The Financing
Costs associated with LASIK surgery vary considerably; however, several financing options are available. Reputable providers typically provide clear and understandable pricing upfront during your pre-op consultation so you can understand the price tag associated with this surgery. Some vision centers also offer payment plans which enable patients to spread out payments over time more conveniently.
Instead of opting for loans and other financial products, some individuals use flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). Both tax-advantaged versions allow individuals to save pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses, including LASIK surgery costs.
When selecting a lender for a LASIK loan, it is essential to carefully consider both the overall costs and terms and conditions of repayment. Depending on your credit score, 0% APR might be available; other fees associated with your LASIK loan could include origination charges ranging between 1%-10% of its amount.
Eye care providers also often have in-house loan companies that can assist patients in financing LASIK surgery. This option may be particularly suitable for people with poor credit or those who wish to avoid the hassle of applying for personal loans or another form of financing. Although these lenders tend to be easier for customers, rates should still be compared against credit card rates to determine the most suitable. It should also be kept in mind that not all LASIK surgeons offer loans from this source, as some require minimum financing or may impose specific conditions or restrictions regarding usage restrictions or minimum amounts that must be met before approval for approval or even support for this loan option being provided by these loan companies.
