The advertised cost of laser vision correction is noted to have a wide variation. The operative word in the preceding sentence is ADVERTISED. In this volatile economy, many providers have been advised to advertise price point as an inducement to get their phones to ring. Almost without exception, these practices engage in a “bait and switch” technique to “up sell” the prospective patient. Indeed, one study demonstrated that patients who presented to discount chains advertising “LASIK for $599” actually ended up paying an AVERAGE of $1,800 per eye!
It has always been my practice philosophy to avoid selling patients a procedure. We have set pricing and recommend the optimal procedure for an individual’s eyes. My practice has built its reputation on delivering optimal results – we will recommend the procedure that will provide you with the best possible vision, and in some cases the recommendation may be not to have any treatment at all…
Laser vision correction is an important and exciting step in your life, it should not be an experience focused on upgrades and negotiation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What is “Blade Free” LASIK?
Patients are often surprised to learn that some providers utilize a blade during a LASIK procedure. The blade is used during creation of the protective flap, and is incorporated into a device called the microkeratome. The microkeratome is analogous to a miniature carpentry plane which passes over the surface of the eye and creates the flap. The flap is then lifted and the laser is applied to the exposed area.
Review of the literature shows that while bladed LASIK is generally safe, most complications that did occur were associated with bladed flap creation.
No Blade LASIK avoids microkeratome- related complications. Instead of a stainless steel blade, the flap is created by a femtosecond laser, an ultra-fast, highly precise system which places millions of laser spots at a precise depth underneath the surface of the eye. The femtosecond laser I have used since 2003 is the IntraLase laser. Because the laser is computerized, the surgeon has the ability to customize the flap contour and dimensions to tailor each treatment. The unparalleled precision of the femtosecond laser provides the patient with the highest level of safety.
At our center, following creation of the protective flap with the IntraLase, the patient is situated next to the Allegretto Eye-Q Laser. The Eye-Q system then performs the actual cornea modeling that corrects the patient’s vision.
Thousands of patients (including yours truly) have benefited from the precision and accuracy of our No Blade LASIK technology. Unlike bladed LASIK performed at discount LASIK providers, this technique requires the surgeon to be skilled in the use of two advanced laser systems to provide you with the clearest vision possible.
Review of the literature shows that while bladed LASIK is generally safe, most complications that did occur were associated with bladed flap creation.
No Blade LASIK avoids microkeratome- related complications. Instead of a stainless steel blade, the flap is created by a femtosecond laser, an ultra-fast, highly precise system which places millions of laser spots at a precise depth underneath the surface of the eye. The femtosecond laser I have used since 2003 is the IntraLase laser. Because the laser is computerized, the surgeon has the ability to customize the flap contour and dimensions to tailor each treatment. The unparalleled precision of the femtosecond laser provides the patient with the highest level of safety.
At our center, following creation of the protective flap with the IntraLase, the patient is situated next to the Allegretto Eye-Q Laser. The Eye-Q system then performs the actual cornea modeling that corrects the patient’s vision.
Thousands of patients (including yours truly) have benefited from the precision and accuracy of our No Blade LASIK technology. Unlike bladed LASIK performed at discount LASIK providers, this technique requires the surgeon to be skilled in the use of two advanced laser systems to provide you with the clearest vision possible.
Flex Spending Benefits Make Lasik More Affordable
Using your Flex Spending Account (FSA), if available through your workplace, can help save up to 30% off your procedure as pretax income is used. A few tips if considering payment for your lasik using an FSA.
Be 100% certain that you are a candidate before setting aside the money. A complete preoperative exam is the only way to be sure.
Companies either issue a reimbursement check after the procedure or a Visa/Master Card to present at the time of payment.
A tool on the web that may help you plan your finances https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/fsa_calculator.asp
Keep in mind that detailed questions on your FSA accounts are best answered by your human resource department.
Be 100% certain that you are a candidate before setting aside the money. A complete preoperative exam is the only way to be sure.
Companies either issue a reimbursement check after the procedure or a Visa/Master Card to present at the time of payment.
A tool on the web that may help you plan your finances https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/fsa_calculator.asp
Keep in mind that detailed questions on your FSA accounts are best answered by your human resource department.
How does Laser Vision Correction improve your vision?
LASIK is the most commonly performed elective procedure in the United States. Patients frequently as me how LASIK works. The best way to describe the procedure is to begin by explaining the eye's optical function. It may help to refer to the diagram of the eye in our animation below.
The eye can be compared to a camera. Light passes through two light bending surfaces, the cornea, or the outer window, and the internal crystalline lens. In an eye with perfect vision, these two structures focus light precisely upon the retina (analogous to the film of a camera). When a patient needs glasses or contacts to see, they are dependent upon a third lens to bring light to focus on the retina. Laser vision correction works by enhancing the eyes optical status to decease the dependence upon an external lens - be it a spectacle or contact lens. The Allegretto Eye-Q laser is the world's most precise system that allows me to make subtle changes upon the outer window (cornea) and fine tune the focusing ability of the cornea to provide crisper, clearer sight.
The eye can be compared to a camera. Light passes through two light bending surfaces, the cornea, or the outer window, and the internal crystalline lens. In an eye with perfect vision, these two structures focus light precisely upon the retina (analogous to the film of a camera). When a patient needs glasses or contacts to see, they are dependent upon a third lens to bring light to focus on the retina. Laser vision correction works by enhancing the eyes optical status to decease the dependence upon an external lens - be it a spectacle or contact lens. The Allegretto Eye-Q laser is the world's most precise system that allows me to make subtle changes upon the outer window (cornea) and fine tune the focusing ability of the cornea to provide crisper, clearer sight.
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