Given the fact that CustomVue and bladeless Lasik have done so well, eye doctors and researchers, as well as Lasik surgeons, are all working toward new ideas for improvements and procedures. If individuals keep working in that way, the chances that Lasik will continue to evolve and improve are extremely high. No one really knows, however, what the future holds for Lasik. Since it has been around for a relatively short time, and it is still being perfected in the eyes of many people, there is no real knowledge of whether there will be long-term complications with the procedure. Only time will tell if the Lasik procedure changes much in future years or if the people that have had it continue to have successful vision correction throughout their lifetime.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) laser eye surgery has been safely used for several years. It’s actually the forerunner of LASIK eye surgery.

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Even though there have been many recent advances in LASIK, there are certain circumstances where PRK laser surgery is recommended over LASIK eye surgery. For instance, if the patient has large pupils or an unusalyy thin cornea, the doctor may suggest PRK.

PRK or LASIK - What’s the Difference?

Your cornea is made up of layers. The top, or outer layer, called the epithelium, is soft and has the ability to heal quickly. The layer underneath is called the stroma - this does not regrow, and it’s the area that’s targeted by the LASIK procedure.

With LASIK eye surgery, a small flap is cut from the cornea, the flap is folded back out of the way and the laser reshapes beneath the surface of the cornea.

However, with PRK laser surgery, no flap is created, since the cornea itself is reshaped by removing thin layers of cells from the outer surface. The surgeon uses the laser to vaporize a portion of the epithelium to gain access to the stroma layer underneath.

Unlike LASIK eye surgery, which boasts a quick recovery time, PRK patients experience a longer recovery time. Also, you’ll experience greater pain and discomfort after the procedure. You may even notice blurred or hazy vision for as long as two months after surgery. You won’t actually see the results of the surgery until after this two month period.

Some Side Effects of PRK

It’s common that PRK patients experience eye dryness and must use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears as a remedy. Also, the doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent possible infection. In many cases, night vision suffers, often becoming worse that before the PRK procedure, although daytime vision usually improves. Driving at night is not advised for the first few months, since glare and halo effects could cause safety concerns.

Since the PRK procedure actually removes a portion of the epithelium, patients usually are required to wear a temporary bandage contact lens for protection for five or six days, until the epithelium regenerates.

Advantages of PRK

About 80% of the patients who undergo PRK laser surgery no longer rely upon corrective lenses. PRK surgery is a safe procedure that boasts an impressive rate of success. If you’ve worn glasses or contact lenses for years, you’ll be quite happy with your new, clear vision.

Remember, laser eye surgery is permanent, but as time goes by, your eyes can still change due to the natural aging process. Some doctors offer an inexpensive upgrade so that if you ever need the procedure repeated, it’s done at no additional cost. If your at an age where your eyes are likely to be changing, say in your 40s or 50s, you should strongly consider this option.

When it comes to choosing between PRK and LASIK, it depends upon your personal circumstances. Your doctor will complete an eye exam and make the proper recommendation.

LASIK Eye Surgery is extremely popular now and the cost of this surgery is lower than it’s ever been. People who couldn’t afford LASIK 3 years ago are now able to finally rid themselves of troublesome glasses and contact lenses for good and have perfect vision. While most insurance plans don’t cover the cost of eye surgery, it hasn’t slowed down the numbers of people using it to finally have perfect vision.

There are several factors that combined together determine the total cost of vision surgery. The surgeon’s fees are one large factor, but it’s not the largest portion of the cost. The largest part of the cost of LASIK comes from the fees paid for the equipment itself. The severity of the eye problems are also a big factor as is the use of advanced technologies and equipment. Finally, you’ll find that where you have the surgery will also heavily influence the cost of laser eye surgery. Those on the east and west coasts of the U.S. will see the highest prices while those in the interior benefit from lower costs.

All together a typical LASIC surgery will cost about $1500 per eye if you include everything. Naturally this is just an estimate and you can see wide variations in price from a low of $800 per eye up to $2500 per eye for difficult surgeries with the most advanced techniques and equipment. Unfortunately for the patients, the cost of eye surgery is rarely covered by insurance. Even so, this isn’t stopping a record number of people from having eye surgery each year.

Finding laser surgery information is quite easy online and you can even get price quotes to compare different eye clinics and doctor’s prices. Once you’ve narrowed your selection down you can get more information by having a consultation with an eye surgeon. Sometimes these consultations are free. One thing you want to watch out for is the extremely low cost LASIK prices you’ll sometimes see advertised. Take the time to read the fine print in the offer and see exactly what is covered by the price advertised. Most times you’ll find that extras will be needed and the price can be as much as double the advertised price.

Those of you that want the benefits of LASIK, but don’t think you can afford it will be glad to know that many clinics now offer financing. Often rates will be quite good and may even be no money down and 0% interest making the financing option quite attractive, even if you can afford to pay for the surgery now. Very few people that have had laser eye surgery regret the cost and most would happily pay again if they had to make the choice all over. If you want to have crystal clear vision without the bother of glasses and contacts then you should think about having the procedure done, regardless of the cost of LASIK eye surgery.

If you look at statistics from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery you’ll find that just 5% of all people that have lasik eye surgery are dissatisfied with the results. This seems pretty darn good to me, especially after wearing glasses and contacts for the past 35 years.

I’ve often considered lasik eye surgery and as I get older and the technology improves, lasik looks more and more appealing. The idea of no more contact lenses or glasses is extremely appealing, especially since there are some situations like sports and swimming where they are a hindrance. I can just imagine waking in the morning, opening my eye and actually being able to see more than three feet in front of me. In the past lasik eye surgery was less reliable and more expensive, but now it seems like the time may be right.

What needs to be considered are the pros and cons of lasik as well as the cost of the eye surgery.
The obvious pro is that you’ll have perfect vision, perhaps for the first time in your life. You’ll no longer need to depend on contacts and glasses to see. Another advantage is that lasik surgery is pain free and for most the recovery is fast. There is also very little risk of infection with lasik since the surgery is performed with lasers, especially if you have IntraLase bladeless lasik.

While there are few disadvantages, if you’re one of the 5% that is dissatisfied with your lasik surgery the disadvantages will become huge. While recovery from lasik eye surgery is quick for most people, some heal more slowly than others. It is possible to have to wait several months for your vision to be completely perfect. This is only a disadvantage in that you may need patience before your vision is completely corrected. A worse disadvantage is for those for whom lasik has complications. These complications can range from problems with halos and glaring to night vision to worse vision after the surgery. In most cases these complications go away by themselves, but for some additional surgery may be required. And for a very few unlucky people lasik eye surgery may actually make their vision worse and there will be no way to correct this.

When looking a lasik surgery prices you’ll find that they differ from doctor to doctor and clinic to clinic. This is why it makes sense to shop around and get quotes from several doctors. While prices may be similar, you could save several hundred dollars by shopping around. Also, don’t believe the advertisements for super cheap lasik, in most cases these prices don’t include everything and you’ll end up paying much more. The typical “average” price for lasik eye surgery seems to be around $1500 per eye.

Finally, you’ll find that lasik eye surgery is usually not covered by insurance because it is considered cosmetic surgery. You may however be able to get a discount from the laser eye center so don’t be afraid to ask during your consultation.