Financing Laser Vision Correction

Nearsightedness. Farsightedness. Astigmatism. These are the refractive errors that cause people to need corrective lenses. The hassles of keeping track of glasses and contacts and buying new lenses and contact solutions should be enough to encourage everyone to consider laser vision correction eye surgery. However, what stops many glasses-wearers in their tracks is the cost of laser vision correction.

In 2011, the average cost of LASIK in the United States was $2,146 per eye. Of course, fees for laser vision correction vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon depending on where you have the surgery performed and what types of technologies are used. But generally people can expect to pay approximately $3,000-$5,000 for top-notch laser vision correction in both eyes.

The good news is that financing is usually available for laser vision correction. Most reputable laser vision correction surgeons team up with financing companies like CareCredit® to help their patients afford LASIK through 0% interest or low-interest monthly payment plans over a specified number of months or even years. The monthly payment amount can be set to meet your budget. Often the laser vision correction practice will help you fill out and submit all of the necessary forms.

Using Flex Plans for Laser Vision Correction

If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to set aside pre-tax dollars to use for your laser vision correction procedure. Make sure you know the limits of your specific plan: Most FSAs require you to use the money within a specific timeframe. Also, make sure you are a definite candidate for laer vision correction surgery before signing up through your FSA. If you find out you cannot have LASIK surgery, and you have put money into your Flex Account for that specific procedure, you will probably lose that money.

When you consider how much you spend every year on glasses, contacts and related items, laser vision correction eye surgery may actually be a money-saver. You have to decide: What is your visual freedom worth?

Pacific Eye Specialists can determine if laser vision correction can give you 20/20 vision and discuss your financing options. To schedule your free laser vision correction consultation, visit pacificeyespecialists.com or call 415-921-7555.

Differences Between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

Many people think all eye doctors the same. They use the terms Optometrist and Ophthalmologist interchangeably. The truth is that these are two very different types of eye care professionals.

Optometrists

Optometrists have earned a Doctor of Optometry Degree (OD). Optometrists have completed a four-year Bachelor’s Degree, plus four years of post-graduate professional training in optometry school. Their main focus is to provide primary eye care, including vision checks, eye disease diagnosis and overall eye health review. They prescribe corrective lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, and they can prescribe some medications. Optometrists often work closely with ophthalmologists to provide pre- and post-op care for eye surgery patients.

Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists are Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) who have achieved a Bachelor’s Degree, four years of medical school encompassing care for the whole body, internships, at least three years of hospital-based residency and additional years of training in eye disease treatment and eye surgery. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye diseases, perform eye surgery, perform eye exams and write prescriptions for medications or corrective lenses.

Certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration, are managed and corrected by ophthalmologists. Eye surgeries such as laser vision correction or Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants should only be done by an eye surgeon who is highly experienced and using the latest technologies.

Frequent eye exams, even if you aren’t experiencing any vision problems, can provide early detection – and treatment – of developing issues.

Visit Pacific Eye Specialists website to schedule a Vision Consultation at pacificeyespecialists.com.

Got the “Luck ‘o the Irish” When it Comes to Your Eyesight?

If you look up the origin of the saying, “Luck of the Irish,” you’ll find that most people use it to mean you are actually lucky. Ironically, Irish history states that the Irish often had bad luck. 

Regardless of how you might use that popular Irish saying, let’s take a moment to think about luck when it comes to your vision. Let’s face it, some people are just born with great genes and perfectly shaped corneas, while others have refractive errors that lead to problems with how the eye focuses light. You may have:   

·         Corneas that are longer and steeper than normal, resulting in nearsightedness (or myopia) where close objects are seen clearly and far away objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are shorter and flatter than normal, resulting in farsightedness (or hyperopia) where far away objects are seen clearly and close objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are football-shaped instead of round-shaped, resulting in astigmatism where you may have some degree of blurred vision at all distances

·         Eye lenses that become stiffened over time, making it harder to focus properly, especially up-close, resulting in presbyopia

No, it’s not fair. But there is a way to combat what Mother Nature gave you:  Laser Vision Correction Surgery. Not everyone is a good candidate for Laser Vision Correction ; however, if you have the right eye health and corneal thickness, your corneal shape might be corrected through this procedure.  Laser Vision Correction  can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A  Laser Vision Correction  process called Blended Vision is sometimes used to correct presbyopia, by correcting one eye for near vision and one eye for far vision to eliminate the need for reading glasses.

There is no need to be miserable with your eyesight – especially when Laser Vision Correction financing exists to help you afford this amazing procedure. Even if  Laser Vision Correction isn’t right for your eyes, there may be other vision procedures that can be done to produce the results you desire.

So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let Pacific Eye Specialist help you get the good “Luck of the Irish” in regard to your vision. Go ahead and enjoy yourself on March 17, then call us to schedule your free LASIK Consultation so we can discuss your unique situation. Call 415 921 7555 or visit www.pacificeyespecialists.com.

Daylight Savings is Coming Soon – Get Your Eyes Ready for Spring

Daylight Savings this year is Sunday, March 10, 2013. That means the start of longer days, more sunshine, warmer temperatures and spring just around the corner (in fact, only 10 days after we “spring forward!”). This also means the start of spending more time outdoors enjoying the activities you love.  

If your glasses or contacts hinder your outdoor fun, and you’ve been considering treating yourself to LASIK to improve your natural vision, now is the perfect time to explore your options.

By scheduling a LASIK consultation now, you can find out if your eye health and corneal thickness is right for this procedure – and if it might give you 20/20 vision. Picture yourself camping, bicycling, hiking, swimming or just enjoying a barbeque with friends – without those annoying plastic covers on your eyeballs or heavy frames sliding down your nose.

Once you are given the green light for LASIK, learn all about the risks and rewards and locate a surgeon with which you feel 100% confident, you’ll be amazed at how quick the LASIK process really is. In fact, most people see improvements in their vision immediately after the procedure (which only takes a few minutes per eye).

At Pacific Eye Specialists , we’re excited that Daylight Savings Time is coming and we’re ready to help you see your way through spring and summer (and beyond!) more clearly. Contact us today to schedule your free LASIK consultation. Call 415 921 7555 or visit www.pacificeyespecialists.com/.