As with any medical procedure, LASIK can have positive and negative effects. Below are some of the more common benefits and drawbacks, separated into three categories: function, form and feeling.

Function — Visual Effectiveness

Pro: Improved Visual Acuity

Many patients experience a significant improvement in vision almost immediately after LASIK. As the cornea heals, vision continues to sharpen. For most, uncorrected vision 12 to 18 hours post-procedure is comparable to their pre-LASIK vision with glasses or contacts.

Con: Temporary Nighttime Visual Adjustments

Some individuals may notice glare, halos, and sensitivity to bright lights at night after the procedure. These effects typically resolve within three months, though rare cases may experience prolonged issues. Persistent night vision problems, while uncommon, are a potential risk of the surgery.

Form — Facial Appearance

Pro: No More Dependence on Glasses

For those who feel self-conscious about wearing glasses, LASIK can boost confidence and self-esteem. It also eliminates the need for contact lenses, providing more freedom in fashion and cosmetic choices.

Con: Temporary Red Spots (Subconjunctival Hemorrhages)

Small red spots can appear on the white part of the eye immediately after LASIK. These are caused by the suction ring used during the procedure. Although they may look alarming, they are painless, do not affect vision, and typically clear up within a few weeks.

Feeling — Sensation in and Around the Eyes

Pro: Relief From Contact Lens Irritation

Contact lenses can reduce oxygen flow to the cornea and interfere with the natural tear film, often causing dryness, allergies, and discomfort. LASIK can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses, leading to greater comfort.

Con: Temporary Post-Procedure Dryness

Temporary dry eye is a common side effect after LASIK, lasting from a week to three months. Artificial tears, prescription eye drops, and omega-3 supplements can usually manage symptoms effectively. In rare cases, dryness may persist for a year or longer.

Each patient’s LASIK experience is unique, and understanding the potential benefits and risks can help set realistic expectations. The key to achieving the best outcomes is to choose a skilled and experienced LASIK provider. They will guide you through the process, ensuring you receive personalized care tailored to your specific vision needs.

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1. Check your insurance coverage

A majority of vision and health and insurance providers consider LASIK an elective procedure. Therefore, it is not eligible for insurance coverage. However, many health and vision insurance companies contract with premium, respected LASIK providers to offer discounted rates to plan members. If your vision or health insurance plan doesn’t offer a discount with the provider you choose, the practice may offer a similar discount.

Consider also participating in a health savings account (HSA) as a tax-free option to help pay for a LASIK procedure. The tax savings serve as additional savings, because the contributions are not subject to payroll taxes. Also, pretax income is used to help pay for health expenses not covered by a health plan. If you qualify for an HSA and are enrolled in a high deductible health plan, funds from the HSA could be used to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as LASIK, without federal tax liability. Some employers even contribute to the plan, making it an even better option. If you choose a premium LASIK provider and use HSA funds to pay for the procedure, the provider manages the paperwork and other insurance logistics. All you have to do is give the provider your HSA debit card once, and the rest is taken care of. Additionally, HSA funds roll over from year to year — allowing you time to save enough to cover the cost of the entire LASIK procedure.

2. Utilize Tax Deductions.

Depending on your filing status, the cost of a LASIK procedure could be considered a tax-deductible medical expense. The deduction is based on how much you make before taxes and how much you spend on medical costs, including LASIK. Consult with a professional to determine if you qualify. Also consider that if you receive a tax refund, it could fully or partially fund LASIK costs.

3. Finance the Procedure

Options exist to reduce the upfront costs of LASIK by splitting them into affordable monthly payments. Premium LASIK providers will work with a health care financing company to provide financing options for their patients. Select LASIK practices offer “in-house” financing through their practice should a patient not be approved for financing through the traditional health care financing institution. A good LASIK provider will work with you to find the best option.

Companies that provide LASIK financing offer a range of plans often spanning a few months to as long as five years, some without incurring extra costs. Interest rates vary based upon your credit rating and the financing company used, and sometimes a deposit is required. If you think there’s a chance you’ll pay off the loan in advance at some point, ensure there are no prepayment penalties.

By exploring the best way to finance LASIK and factoring in the potential long-term savings on glasses and contacts, you may find it to be a sound investment.

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No More Vision Correction Costs

The cost of prescription eyewear can quickly add up. Disposable contacts can cost anywhere from $30 to $70 per box, depending on the brand. Prescription glasses cost an average of $212 a pair, but you can count on that figure being higher when you start to consider designer frames and other add-ons. Prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, accessories, eye doctor visits and other fees could total up to four figures in just a few years. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Americans spend $15 billion per year on eye wear which would be far more than the cost of the procedure at a LASIK vision center. Depending on your health or vision insurance, your eyewear needs may be only partially covered or not covered at all. LASIK patients no longer need to worry about ordering and paying for expensive contacts, working with insurance limits on eyewear, or replacing glasses. With LASIK, you can save both time and money. Although seemingly trivial, the average ten minutes per day people spend on their contacts add up. And while it only takes seconds to put your glasses, minutes spent blindly searching for misplaced glasses or squinting to try and fix broken glasses can feel like the worst. Thus, these moments can be spent on much more productive (or fun) activities.

Health Savings Account Benefits

When you set aside money for LASIK in a health savings account (HSA), you may end up saving as much as 30 percent on the total procedure cost compared to someone paying out of pocket or with credit. Many LASIK vision centers accept HSA dollars as a form of payment, so you can enjoy a big tax benefit by planning ahead. Remember that some employers offer HSA contribution matches, which could also help to offset the cost of your procedure. The long-term benefits of LASIK eye surgery also come into play here. Once you pay for the laser eye surgery procedure, your vision-related expenses are greatly reduced or even eliminated. You can use HSA dollars that previously went toward glasses and contacts for other medical financing options. It’s important to be familiar with the rules of your particular HSA before scheduling your LASIK procedure.  You can also talk to your company’s human resources representative for specific information. 

Vision Plan Discounts

Many LASIK Vision Centers accept vision plans, which can provide you with even more discounts on the cost of laser vision correction. When you combine these discounts with a health savings account, you’ll end up paying a fraction of the cost of the expenses associated with contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses. Each vision plan offers different benefits, and each LASIK provider has guidelines for combining discounts, so do your homework before finalizing your plans. A simple cost analysis will help you determine if and how LASIK is a better investment for your vision correction needs.

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1. Experience improved vision.

By the time people reach their 30s, many have spent decades experiencing vision problems and the hassle of wearing glasses and/or contacts. LASIK can correct refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, thus freeing the person from the continued hassle of glasses and contacts. And, after receiving LASIK, patients experience improved vision almost immediately. Many candidates who qualify for the LASIK procedure obtain 20/20 vision.

2. Enjoy a more active lifestyle.

Once people reach their 30s, they may find themselves traveling for both work and pleasure. LASIK can make traveling by plane easier, as it reduces in-flight dry eye caused by contacts and eliminates traveling with lens solutions and emergency glasses. People in their 30s may also lead more active lifestyles. Participation in physical recreational sports, including swimming, skydiving, scuba diving, skiing and mountain biking, can be easier without relying on corrective lenses.

3. Get the most out of your career.

LASIK can make it possible for many, particularly those with careers that require extensive physical activity such as military, police officers, firefighters and construction workers, to work without glasses. Find out if your career is in our list of occupations that could benefit from LASIK.

4. Take advantage of stability.

A research study performed by British insurer Aviva in 2012 found that most people identify the ideal age during a lifetime to be between 30-39, with 35 being the most favorable age. That was because those surveyed felt that people in their 30s have stability in terms of work, family and living situation, with the hope of more success in front of them. These reasons can make your 30s the perfect time to undergo a LASIK procedure, so you can better enjoy what many people view as the best decade of life.

5. Save money.

Many patients with refractive errors find themselves spending a lot of money to correct their vision problems. Eliminating expenses from frequent visits to the optometrist, new prescriptions, new lenses, replacement lenses and cleaning supplies can make LASIK a more affordable solution in the long run. In 2024, the average price for laser-based vision correction was $2,246 per eye. Additionally, a study by Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) found that LASIK saves a typical patient between the ages of 30 and 39 more than $13,000.

Tip: Access AMO’s savings calculator to see how cost effective LASIK can be for you.

6. Beat the Clock

Between the ages of 40 and 45, a person’s eyes begin changing as part of the natural aging process. Soon thereafter, many need reading glasses due to presbyopia, a condition caused by a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility in the eye’s lens, making it difficult to focus up close. Most people in their 30s haven’t yet developed presbyopia, so by getting LASIK, they still have plenty of time before needing to wear readers.

These are just a few reasons anyone in his 30s wearing glasses or contacts should consider LASIK. Many patients consider it a life-changing procedure, so it’s worth learning more to see if you’re a candidate.

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The Importance of Eye Functionality in Sports

While not every team can win the championship, and not every athlete can be an Olympian, everyone wants to maximize his potential and have as much fun playing as possible. Making your eyesight the best it can be is an important element of that, in part because there are a variety of complex functions that make up the vision needed for sporting success:

• Focus. When you hold your arm out and point your thumb up, its width is the size of your visual focus — only about three degrees. That doesn’t leave much room for error.
• Peripheral vision enables you to see an object’s motion outside of the direct line of vision, and thus react to the events of a game. It doesn’t matter how well you can catch, throw or hit if you can’t tell what’s going on around you.
• Eye Movements
  • Vestibulo-ocular movements help balance by coordinating field of vision with head movement.
  • Saccadic eye movements scan field of vision.
  • Vergence enables eyes to focus at different distances.
  • Smooth pursuit movements allow eyes to follow slow movement.

While prescription eyewear improves the clarity of your straight-ahead vision, it encumbers other aspects of how you see, which affects your sports performance. For example, glasses don’t correct peripheral vision, thus impairing your ability to see things outside your direct line of sight. Contacts can dry out, causing discomfort and blurriness. LASIK reduces your dependence on glasses and contacts, allowing your eyes to function more naturally. This helps you concentrate on the game and not your eyewear.

Sports That Depend on Good Vision

1. Soccer: The ball and the other 13-21 players are in constant motion. While the size of the large field of play can vary, you have to keep an eye on everything within it.
2. Hockey: Fast-moving skaters and faster-moving pucks — without the best vision, you could wind up in the penalty box.
3. Golf: Little ball, big frustration. Golf is known to be challenging. Clear vision can help your handicap immensely.
4. Tennis: Whether at Wimbledon or around the corner, the ball’s brightly colored for a reason. Andy Roddick holds the serve record of 155 mph — so clearly it’s not always easy to see the ball whizzing across the court.
5. Basketball: Dribbling, passing, shooting and blocking — there are a lot of simultaneous movements to see on that 94-by-50-foot court.
6. Bowling: If you thought geometry and physics would never be useful, you’ve never been bowling. Your brain uses everything within view to calculate the angles and speed needed for a strike.
7. Running: Runners often get up early or stay up late to run. Having to worry about bouncing glasses or wearing contacts in tired eyes can take away some of the fun and motivation.
8. Swimming: The benefits of good vision in a sport measured in fractions of a second are obvious — and the difficulty in wearing glasses or contacts underwater is clear.
9. Baseball and Softball: Speaking of timing, the collision between the bat and the ball takes approximately 1-2 milliseconds. A batter’s accuracy depends upon seeing the ball as soon as it’s pitched and reacting quickly.
10. Martial Arts: Everything from boxing and fencing to karate, taekwondo, judo and jiujitsu fall into this fast-growing category, and watching an opponent’s every move is key in all of these sports.

The Benefits Extend Beyond Sports

Even if you don’t consider yourself an athlete, your leisure time probably includes having fun moving and sweating — whether from camping and fishing in the woods, woodworking in the garage or playing with the kids. Trying to see through foggy, slippery or dirty glasses doesn’t add to the enjoyment. Anyone can appreciate the improvement in safety, performance and enjoyment that better vision can make to her active life.

Discuss recreation and sports with your eye care provider to make sure you’re taking the proper safety and protection precautions. You may also find that LASIK could help take your game to the next level!

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Today, most LASIK surgeries are all-laser procedures that use no blades, giving you the peace of mind that comes with a technique that uses computer-controlled precision to treat your vision. And the LASIK field is founded on 40 years of innovation in a constant effort to continually improve the procedure’s safety and effectiveness.

Then & Now: Advancements in Eye Surgery Technology

Mid-1970s: One of LASIK’s forbearers was radial keratotomy. The procedure cost was approximately $8,000 and was performed by a surgeon using a scalpel. To monitor progress and avoid complications, the procedure was first performed on one eye at a time. The patient would then wait two weeks for the procedure to be performed on the other eye.

1988: LASIK surgeons began using a microkeratome, an extremely thin blade, to cut a flap in the upper layer of the cornea, followed by an excimer laser that removed tissue from the eye’s surface and reshaped the underlying cornea to match the patient’s prescription. The surgery took approximately 15 minutes.

2000s-Today: Doctors using advanced technology and techniques now use an all-laser technique, as the bladed microkeratome method has become obsolete. Instead of creating the corneal flap with a blade, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser. This bladeless approach creates a more consistent incision and is a great option for patients with thin corneas who previously weren’t good LASIK candidates. Some experts believe bladeless LASIK is more precise, which can be reassuring for patients and surgeons. Another technology available is Wavefront LASIK, or custom LASIK, approved by the FDA in 2002. The widely available procedure uses three-dimensional measurements of the eyes to create a laser vision correction treatment tailored to each patient.

The Future of LASIK: Advancements continue as technology and the technique are constantly monitored to ensure the best possible procedure is available. For example, corneal cross-linking is an effective technique used to strengthen the cornea, and is now being considered for use in potential LASIK patients who would need greater amounts of corneal tissue removed. Combining cornea cross-linking with the LASIK procedure allows patients with thinner corneas and keratoconus to now be considered as candidates for LASIK.

LASIK Statistics

The technology and processes have advanced over the years, and a quick review of some data proves that these innovations are impactful. As you research the LASIK procedure, consider the following statistics to calm any of your concerns.

1) 700,000 Americans undergo LASIK each year.
2) More than 95 percent of LASIK patients are satisfied with their results.
3) 55.3 percent of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 visual acuity or better, while more than 92 percent achieve 20/40 visual acuity or better.
4) LASIK makes up 96 percent of refractive procedures performed today.

Consult a Specialist

Even with technological advances and impressive statistics, LASIK is still surgery, and like all surgeries, involves some risks. Side effects can include dry eyes and reduced night vision; however, most issues are temporary and improve as the eyes heal.

Consult a qualified LASIK specialist to learn if the procedure is right for you and to answer your questions. They can help turn your anxiety into the exhilaration of improved vision.

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What to Expect

An ophthalmologist, optometrist or orthoptist is qualified to conduct your eye exam, and you can get that exam at a variety of locations.

1) Offices of independent eye care professionals

2) Clinics with eye care departments

3) Group eye care practices

4) Eyeglass retailers that have an affiliated eye care professional

5) Optical departments of large retailers

Depending upon individual health history and risk factors, the eye exam includes most of the following steps:

1) An oral questionnaire inquires after noted changes to vision or health.

2)  Visual acuity is measured by asking a patient to read letters on a Snellen chart. This test is often a first indicator that patients require corrective lenses or that their prescription for corrective lenses needs to be updated.

3)  Retinoscopy and refraction assessment refine a patient’s prescription by having her compare vision while clicking through a series of lenses.

4)  Pupil function
is checked by tracking the behavior of the pupil in response to light. This tests how the individual pupil responds to light, and it ensures that both pupils respond to light in tandem.

5)  Extraocular muscle motility is demonstrated by having the patient follow the motion of an object with his eyes. This ensures that the muscles related to eye movement, and the parts of the brain controlling those muscles, are functioning correctly.

6)  Perimetry tests measure the patient’s visual field and peripheral vision. Loss of peripheral vision is often an early sign of glaucoma.

7)  Ophthalmoscopy checks the health of the retina by dilating the pupil with special drops and viewing the back of the eye with a special light. This helps detect conditions such as retinal detachment, optic nerve swelling, damaged blood vessels in the retina from high blood pressure or diabetes, cataracts and other problems.

8)  Colorblindness testing includes an Ishihara exam where a patient reviews images to confirm the ability to differentiate between different colors.

9)  Tonometer testing checks for increased intraocular pressure, a symptom of glaucoma. Once the eye has been numbed, an applanation tonometer machine barely touches the surface of the eye and measures the pressure of the fluid within the eye.

Ask your primary medical care provider to recommend a qualified eye care professional for your annual exam.

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Dim Light Is Harmful

While adequate lighting does make it easier, reading under dim lights will not damage your eyes. When it comes to lighting, it is all about what you prefer. Very poor lighting can strain your eyes when you are trying to read under such conditions. However, this does not cause any lasting damage.

Sitting Close to the Television Damages the Eyes

Your mom probably told you this at least a hundred times when you were growing up. As of right now, no evidence exists to prove that sitting close to the television can damage the eyes. If sitting up close helps you to see — as it does for people with nearsightedness — this is okay. If you do find yourself having to sit close to the television often, you may want to make an appointment with your eye doctor. The right pair of corrective lenses can help to sharpen your vision, so you can sit back a bit and relax.

The Wrong Glasses Damage the Eyes

Your parents probably also told you that wearing another person’s glasses could damage your eyes. Wearing the wrong glasses will not physically damage your eyes. If you try a prescription that differs from yours, you just won’t see as well. This is because the prescription is either too weak or too strong for you. However, as soon as you put your glasses back on, your vision will be sharp and clear again.

Computers Can Damage the Eyes

Working on a computer can often be uncomfortable for your eyes, but it will not cause any permanent damage. For example, when you are staring at the screen for hours on end, it is not uncommon to experience things like dry eyes and eyestrain. To help prevent these temporary, minor issues, simply take a break every 20 to 30 minutes and look away from the screen.

You Can Become Dependent on Glasses

Your eyes do not become dependent on corrective lenses. Your uncorrected vision does not worsen each time you remove your glasses. Glasses simply help correct your vision, making it sharper and clearer. Because you can see better with glasses, you will surely want to wear them often. However, this is a personal preference and has nothing to do with your eyes becoming dependent on corrective lenses.

Dry Eye Is Only a Symptom

This is a myth that few people are aware of. Dry eye can be a symptom, but it can also be considered a medical condition in and of itself. It is usually classified as a medical condition when it is persistent and is generally termed chronic dry eye. When eyes are chronically dry, they can become red, itchy and irritated. There are treatments that can help to lubricate the eye to alleviate the symptoms and make you more comfortable.

Perfect Vision is 20/20

This is probably one of the most common eye care myths. Vision of 20/20 just means that you do not have any major vision problems. However, eye disease can still be present. For example, you can have 20/20 vision and still be in the early stages of glaucoma. In the early stages, the majority of people do not experience symptoms, so they have no idea they have this eye disease. You can also be significantly farsighted — unable to see things close up — and still be considered to have 20/20 vision.

If you experience eye problems of any sort, be sure to visit an eye care specialist. They can help you discern fact from fiction and keep your eyes in the best possible health.

The post Seven Eye Care Myths Exposed appeared first on LasikPlus.

Improved peripheral vision.

In addition to improved straight-ahead vision, many of my patients remark how much better their peripheral vision has become since they no longer wear glasses. Glasses do not “wrap around” the eyes, so peripheral vision is blurry unless the patient turns his/her head. Once the glasses are gone, peripheral vision is clear as well.

Reduced allergy symptoms.

Some patients say their allergy symptoms improve after treatment. They claim fewer headaches and less sinus pain without glasses sitting on their nose. Contact wearers claim less eye irritation and redness because they don’t have to put contacts in their eyes.

Better nighttime vision.

Although a small number of patients experience mild glare/haloes after their LASIK procedure, many people say that their nighttime vision improves after the procedure. I believe it might have to do with the fact that they are no longer dealing with the light reflecting off the lenses in their glasses. For people who wear contact lenses, end-of-day dryness may also cause fuzzy nighttime vision. Without having reflections and a poor refractive surface because of dryness, many post-LASIK patients actually see better at night.

Additional lines of sight.

Some patients with high levels of myopia or astigmatism gain additional lines of vision after LASIK. These types of refractive errors are best corrected on the corneal surface and often increase a patient’s clarity after surgery — as opposed to only partially correcting them with glasses or contacts that move with each blink.

Each person’s eyes are different, and the benefits of LASIK vary from patient to patient. Consult with a qualified LASIK doctor to determine if the procedure is right for you.

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Types of Refractive Errors & When They Occur

The most common refractive errors are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. All of these are caused by light not bending — or refracting — correctly as it hits the eye. Nearsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects far away. Farsighted individuals have difficulty seeing objects up close. Those with astigmatism have football-shaped eyes, which causes objects to appear blurry.

Most children have clear distance and up-close vision. Starting in adolescence, some develop a refractive error and need corrective lenses. The prescription for these lenses may change often from adolescence into early adulthood. In adulthood the prescription stabilizes and varies little thereafter.

As many people enter middle age, they develop a condition called presbyopia. This is caused by the natural lens of the eye becoming inflexible, which affects the ability to see up close.

Types of Vision Correction

Glasses are the oldest method of refractive vision correction and have been around for hundreds of years. Contact lenses have been available since the 1950s. Both glasses and contacts change how light focuses on the retina, which corrects the refractive error and improves vision. Reading glasses help those with presbyopia see up close.

Since the 1990s, a laser vision correction method called LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) has been available as a third option to correct refractive vision problems. LASIK reduces or eliminates refractive errors by changing the structure of the cornea, which is located on the front surface of the eye. This restores visual function.

LASIK is a two-step process. First, the doctor uses a laser to create a flap in the eye’s cornea to preserve the skin of the eye called the epithelium. In the second step, the doctor uses another laser to etch an individual’s own corrective lens prescription on the cornea below the flap. The flap is then put back in place.

No stitches are used in LASIK, and healing is fast for the majority of patients. In fact, many are able to return to work the next day. Numbing drops are used, so patients experience very little discomfort. While side effects and complications may occur, they are rare and usually temporary.

Patients with presbyopia may benefit from monovision LASIK. Monovision corrects one eye’s distance refractive error, while the other eye is left mildly nearsighted for near vision.

Symptoms Versus Cause

Glasses and contact lenses only improve the symptoms of refractive errors. LASIK reshapes the surface of the eye, therefore addressing the structural cause of blurry vision due to refractive errors. This allows the eye to focus without the use of glasses or contacts. LASIK addresses the cause of refractive errors, not just the symptoms.

Each person’s eyes are different. Always consult with a trusted, experienced ophthalmologist to determine which vision correction solution is best for you.

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No More Vision Correction Costs

Prescription eyewear costs accumulate quickly. Disposable contacts can cost anywhere from $30 to $70 per box, depending on the brand. Prescription glasses cost an average of $212 a pair, but you can count on that figure being higher when you start to consider designer frames and other add-ons. Prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, accessories, doctor visits and other fees could total up to four figures in just a few years. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Americans spend $15 billion per year on eye wear.

Depending on your health or vision insurance, your eyewear needs may be only partially covered or not covered at all. LASIK patients no longer need to worry about ordering and paying for expensive contacts, working with insurance limits on eyewear, or replacing glasses.

The time you can save after having LASIK is just a precious as the money. Although seemingly trivial, the average ten minutes per day people spend on their contacts add up. And while it only takes seconds to put on and take off glasses, minutes spent blindly searching for misplaced glasses or squinting to try and fix broken glasses can seem eternal. All these random moments could be spent on much more productive (or fun) activities.

Health Savings Account Benefits

When you set aside money for LASIK in a health savings account (HSA), you may end up saving as much as 30 percent on the total procedure cost compared to someone paying out of pocket or with credit. Many LASIK centers accept HSA dollars as a form of payment, so you can enjoy a big tax benefit by planning ahead. Remember that some employers offer HSA contribution matches, which could also help to offset the cost of your procedure. The long-term benefits of LASIK also come into play here. Once you pay for the procedure, your vision-related expenses are greatly reduced or even eliminated. You can use HSA dollars that previously went toward glasses and contacts for other medical expenses.

It’s important to be familiar with the rules of your particular HSA before scheduling your LASIK procedure.  You can also talk to your company’s human resources representative for specific information. 

Vision Plan Discounts

Many LASIK centers accept vision plans, which can provide you with even more discounts on the cost of laser vision correction. When you combine these discounts with an HSA, you’ll end up paying a fraction of the cost of the expenses associated with contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses.

Each vision plan offers different benefits, and each LASIK provider has guidelines for combining discounts, so do your homework before finalizing your plans.

A simple cost analysis will help you determine if and how LASIK is a better investment for your vision correction needs.

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Conventional LASIK

Conventional LASIK is one the most common laser vision correction procedures. It starts with the doctor cutting a small flap in the top layer of the eye’s cornea with a microkeratome blade. (A microkeratome blade is an extremely thin, machine-operated blade that oscillates back-and-forth very quickly.) Once the flap is gently pulled back, the doctor uses an excimer laser to reshape underlying layers of the cornea. According to the medical journal Cornea, this form of LASIK is virtually painless and has been proven safe for people with mild to moderate prescriptions. Conventional LASIK allows for vision correction within the first 24 to 48 hours (often sooner), with vision possibly continuing to improve in the weeks following the procedure. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology found that this type of LASIK was approved for use in the US Air Force in 2003 for non-flying military personal and for aviators in 2005.

IntraLASIK

Unlike conventional LASIK, IntraLASIK does not utilize a blade when creating the corneal flap. Instead, doctors use a femtosecond laser. According to the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, this allows doctors to have better control over the thickness of the flap created and helps them prevent any inconsistencies in thickness that may have been created by a conventional blade. As with conventional LASIK, individuals needing mild to moderate correction tend to benefit the most; however, individuals with glaucoma, or who may be at risk for glaucoma, may find IntraLASIK a better option. Some physicians believe that the use of the metal blade in conventional LASIK tends to raise a patient’s eye pressure. IntraLASIK significantly reduces this risk. Similar to conventional LASIK, recovery from IntraLASIK is generally painless. Patients see an increase in their vision almost immediately and may find their vision continues to improve in the weeks following the procedure. Perhaps the main difference between IntraLASIK and conventional LASIK can be found in the price. In an interview for All About Vision, Vance Thompson, M.D., assistant professor at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, reports the cost per eye to be approximately $300 more for IntraLASIK when compared to conventional LASIK.

PRK

Unlike conventional LASIK and IntraLASIK, a corneal flap is not created for a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedure. Instead, doctors use a solution to gently loosen and remove a very fine layer of cells on the cornea. The remainder of the procedure is the same in that an excimer laser is used to reshape the remaining corneal layers. Recovery for PRK differs as well. Patients typically experience some discomfort as the cells re-grow. Doctors usually place a bandage contact lens on the eyes after the procedure and may tell the patient to wear it for several weeks. This contact lens will have no prescription, but it protects the thin layer of cells as they re-grow. Although it is possible for PRK to be performed on any patient with healthy eyes, it is more commonly suggested for those who have thin corneas or whose professions put them at risk of being struck in the face and eyes. According to Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, the U.S. Army and Marine Core suggest PRK.

To Customize or not to Customize?

Custom software maps out almost the exact path needed to correct the patient’s vision. This map is as unique to an eye as a fingerprint is to a finger. A study in Ophthalmology showed that this software helps doctors reduce the possibility of error and even increase patient satisfaction. Custom LASIK and IntraLASIK both carry a slightly higher price tag; however, patients find it comforting to know that custom LASIK may eliminate the need for future vision enhancement procedures.

What’s on the Horizon for LASIK?

LASIK technology is continuously improving. Currently, young to middle-aged adults benefit the most from laser vision correction. However, patients experiencing presbyopic, or age-related, vision changes can get excited. According to Der Ophthalmologe, trials for presbyLASIK are currently underway and show positive preliminary results — 91 percent of participants no longer need glasses or contacts.

Which LASIK is right for you? Only a comprehensive consultation with a skilled LASIK doctor can give you that answer. It’s important to remember that every procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and outcomes will vary.

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