"Fall" Into LASIK Savings

By Mark Whitten, MD

Whitten Laser Eye Associates

. http://www.whittenlasereye.com/

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"Fall" Into LASIK Savings

The fall months provide a special savings opportunity for those interested in LASIK. Potential patients are always concerned about the cost of LASIK and how they will be able to afford the procedure. During the fall months, employees are given the opportunity to sign up for their flex spending programs or health savings accounts. There are even options through local banks to establish your own program if one is not available at work. These programs allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck into an account, and use this account to pay for approved healthcare related expenses.

Well the good news is that LASIK is one of these approved expenses. Using your health savings accounts to pay for your LASIK procedure can allow you to experience savings up to 30%, depending on your tax bracket. When you consider the money you spend on contacts and glasses, you can quickly calculate that in the long run LASIK is a good investment. In addition to the pure convenience and lifestyle freedom, which is priceless.

LASIK is the most widely performed elective procedure in the U.S. today. Technology and results from the procedure are better than ever. The actual laser time for each eye is only about 15 seconds and your time at the laser center is less than 30 minutes. Most patients say there is little or no pain during the procedure, and they are back to their normal activities the following day.

Maybe you have been interested in having LASIK for years. You know many people who have had the procedure and who love their results. Many people have fears or misconceptions about LASIK that hold them back from moving forward with this life changing surgery.

Astigmatism. Many patients still think that LASIK will not help, but for many years we have been effectively treating this along with nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Severe Nearsightedness. Some patients think their eyesight is too bad to correct with LASIK. While there are many factors a surgeon will consider while evaluating you, having a severe correction need not rule you out.

Age. A good candidate is at least 18 years old with a stable prescription for one year. Many parents, who have experienced their own life changing vision surgery, are giving the procedure as a gift to their children. Patients under 30 years old are the fastest growing group of LASIK patients.

Results. Laser vision correction has been performed since the late 1980s, first beginning with PRK and then LASIK. A recent survey of patients who had LASIK beginning in 1995 showed that the majority believed that LASIK improved their overall quality of life and would recommend the procedure to others. The majority of patients achieve 20/20 vision with many even better than that.

LASIK is a surgical procedure and results can vary. Read the informed consent and discuss all risks and consequences with your surgeon. Choosing a surgeon who has years of experience and has performed tens of thousands of LASIK procedures can improve your chances of having the best outcome. Look for a surgeon who will meet with you personally before the procedure and discuss all your expectations.

It's normal to feel both excited and nervous as you prepare for your procedure. Ask questions. Read about the procedure. Talk to former patients. State-of-the-art technology advancement, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, has made the LASIK procedure better than it has ever been. So, ask around and trust the recommendation of family and friends. A well-educated patient can enjoy the vision of a lifetime, for a lifetime with LASIK. LASIK today is better than ever, and more affordable than ever.