Lasik Eye Surgery - What you Need to Know Before Having Lasik

LASIK eye surgery can advantage many people who experience low to moderate vision problems. LASIK eye surgery is a quick and painless procedure, but there are some risks and complications involved with the surgery.

It is important to understand what happens before, after and during LASIK eye surgery, if you are thinking about having the surgery. It is also advantageous to have realistic expectations of the LASIK eye surgery before the procedure begins.

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

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

It depends on many factors for a person to be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. When you make an initial appointment for LASIK eye surgery, your eye care professional will ask many questions and take a thorough health history.

Additionally, you eyes and the history of your vision problems will also be a major factor in whether or not you can have the LASIK eye surgery procedure. For people with certain health problems such as autoimmune diseases and diabetes, LASIK is generally not recommended.

A person cannot have LASIK eye surgery if he is under the age of 18. Certain degenerative eye diseases might also disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery. Your LASIK surgeon will make a decision based on all of these factors. Those who are not good candidates for the LASIK surgery can have poor outcomes.

Are there any LASIK complications?

Yes. As with any surgery or medical procedure there are LASIK complications and risks. Most people who have the surgery do not have problems, however some people do.

Reduced low light vision is the most commonly reported side effect of the LASIK eye surgery. This can cause glowing or halos around lit objects at night. After some time the side effects of the LASIK eye surgery will disappear over a period of time.

There are some long-term LASIK complications that have been report, though they are rare. Some people could experience worse eyesight than they had before LASIK eye surgery.

Will LASIK vision correction eliminate the need for corrective lenses?

The short answer to that is maybe. Most people who have the LASIK eye surgery 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 totally correct vision problems. It is designed to enhance vision. Those who go into LASIK expecting perfect vision with an unlikely expectation should not undergo treatment.

How much is the Cost of LASIK eye surgery?

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

Does insurance cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery?

Because LASIK eye surgery is considered elective, most of the time, insurance plans do not cover it. Some insurance plans have extended eye care plans that help defray the costs of LASIK eye surgery.

If you insurance plan does not cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery, 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.

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, particularly for jobs that are sedentary.

It will be essential 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 surgeon about when you can start back to work.

Does the LASIK eye surgery hurt?

The LASIK eye surgery 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 LASIK eye surgery, a mild sedative can be given. Most patients are able to walk out of the surgery center after the procedure is complete.