Friday, July 4, 2008

The Sad Truth About LASIK And Health Insurance

By Tim Gorman

If you're like many consumers that are forced to wear contact lenses or eye glasses on a daily basis in order to see better the though of LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) or laser eye surgery has probably crossed your mind once or twice. Fortunately with so many people experiencing these feelings more and more folks are having the vision correction surgery performed and the cost for LASIK is dropping rapidly. However, even with the low cost there are still many people that simply cannot afford the eye surgery and treatment and sadly in most cases health insurance providers won’t pay for the procedure to take place.

Basically, LASIK is a form of eye surgery that is performed with a laser (normally an Excimer laser). The actual procedure is quick, painless and involves altering the shape of the clear membrane portion in the front of the eye known as the cornea. Naturally, laser eye surgery or LASIK is used to treat a patient's eye disorders in order to free them from having to wear contact lenses or glasses.

Even though LASIK is a surgical procedure performed to correct vision impairments in order to allow someone to see better it is not usually paid for with an individual's health insurance plan or coverage. This is based on the fact that laser eye surgery is commonly classified as an elective or cosmetic procedure and isn't performed in order to treat an illness or life threatening medical condition or disease in the eyes of the health insurance companies and providers.

Still even though your health insurance won’t cover the costs associated with having laser vision surgery performed that doesn’t mean you can’t still have LASIK at a future time or date. The best thing to while saving for the operation to take place is to research as much as you can about LASIK and what it entails and how the surgery is performed. This way you will be properly prepared when it comes time to have the procedure performed on your vision impediment or eye impairment. Naturally, you will want to study the doctors and eye care specialist that perform LASIK and the amount it will cost for them to actually perform the surgery on your eyes.

There are several different forms of laser eye surgery so make sure during your researching efforts you take the time to find out what procedure is best for your eyes and then locate and compare the medical practices and costs of the doctors that are capable of performing your required LASIK surgery to be performed. Also don’t let price be the determining factor on choosing the best or right doctor for your particular eyesight correction needed. If you're misfortunate enough to not have enough money to pay for LASIK then you can always inquire about a payment plan because many eye care and vision centers now offer multiple payments as an option.

Your eyesight is important and the dream of having 20/20 vision without contact lenses and eyeglasses doesn't have to disappear just because your health insurance won’t cover the costs of having LASIK performed. Spend a little bit of time researching to find the best laser eye surgeon, doctor or vision specialist in your area in order to locate the best deal for laser vision surgery that you can easily afford.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Vision-Doctor.com. He provides more eye surgery solutions, LASIK information and answers the question of will health insurance cover laser eye surgery that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

LASIK Vision Institute - Promises and Problems

By Wade Robins

With a national network of eye surgeons who specialize in LASIK surgical procedures, the LASIK Vision Institute has corrected the vision of hundreds of thousands of people, allowing them to be free of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The LASIK Vision Institute promises its potential patients that they will receive state-of the-art surgical procedures performed with LASIK equipment as soon as it receives FDA approval. It also claims to have introduced many innovations into the LASIK surgery field.

The Benefits of Numbers

Because the LASIK Vision Institute surgeons perform, on the average, a hundred thousand refraction-correcting surgeries each year, and more than five hundred thousand in the Institute’s history, there is no denying their collective experience. The large number of the LASIK Vision Institute’s surgeons is one of the company’s selling points; having so many surgeons with experience to draw up, the company claims, has an exponential effect on the amount of knowledge shared by all of them.

Because LASIK Vision Institute is focused on keeping the price of its surgeries as low as possible, it usually owns the buildings in which it surgeon’s offices are located; eliminating the need to pass the cost of rental fees on to the consumer. And the LASIK Vision Institute has the financial wherewithal to pay up to $500,000 for its own lasers instead of, like many individual eye surgeons must, having to rent them.

The LASDIK Vision Institute, however, does have some limits on the types of eye problems its doctors will treat. They will not deal with cases of cataracts nor glaucoma; those conditions are not treatable with LASIK surgery. They focus on correcting near and farsightedness and astigmatism.

The LASIK Vision Center provides both pre-surgical exams and post-operative care, both are required to ensure that the patient’s optical defects are properly diagnosed and the correct surgical procedure prescribed, and to address any complications which occur following the surgery. Certain complications are normal after LASIK surgery, but they still require prompt professional attention. The LASIK Vision Institute offers its patients around the clock live help, whether they are experiencing discomfort or simply need information.

Behind The Advertising

There are close to forty LASIK Vision Institute practices in the US and the company is still expanding. There is a caveat, however: if you are considering eye surgery at a LASIK Vision Institute, do not let its sheer number of doctors and patients intimidate you. Make sure that the surgeon in charge of your case has a clear understanding of your individual needs and is not treating you an anonymous face in the crowd. You deserve better.

And a further caveat: LASIK Vision Institute has, over the past few years, been the subject of multiple investigative reports on its advertising practices, and has settled at least one lawsuit which accused it of false advertising. One of its questionable practices has been to charge prospective patients a non-refundable $100 deposit before doing the exam necessary to determine if they qualify for the advertised $299 LASIK procedure.

You can find much more on the specifics of LASIK Vision Institute’s legal difficulties by performing an Internet search.

You can also find more info on Lasik and LASIK Eye Surgery. 2020lasikeyesurgery.com is a comprehensive resource to get information about LASIK eye surgery.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Eye Care Essentials

By Earl Moore

Getting the most from life involves looking after yourself constantly. Eye care is no less-important than working out in the gym, taking restful vacations or eating the correct kinds of food. Eye care is even more important for those people who experience symptoms of eye disease or difficulties.

Low vision occurs when you have a particular eye disease and struggle to see under certain circumstances. If you have poor vision, even with glasses or contact lenses, then you have some form of visual impairment. In the Western world, these are usually caused by:

1. Birth defects.

2. Cataracts.

3. Glaucoma.

4. Macular degeneration.

If you suffer from any of these eye care problems, you can benefit from a multitude of visual aids to assist your sight:

1. Special eyeglasses.

2. Large print books.

3. Braille books.

4. Reading assistance via software.

If you suffer from any of the following problems, eye care assistance can help in your treatment:

1. Cataracts.

2. Glaucoma.

3. Retinal disorders.

4. Conjunctivitis.

Pink Eye

Pink eye is the common name given to conjunctivitis. This is an infection and is very contagious (this is why kids often suffer from this condition). If you have conjunctivitis, you may experience swelling and redness, maybe a discharge from the eyes or even swelling. However, there is a solution in the form of antibiotics and eye drops, or maybe creams and compresses. These are usually prescribed once the origin of the infection is known.

Retinal Disorders

The retina can be found at the back of the eye and it is very sensitive to light. The retina transmits the images to the brain. Disorders of the retina (which can be treated with eye care) include:

1. Macular pucker.

2. floaters.

3. Retinal detachment.

4. Macular hole.

Cloudy Cataracts

It has been estimated that over 50% of US citizens (by the time they reach the age of eighty) have some form of cataract problem, often needing to resort to surgery. Again, a variety of symptoms are evident:

1. Double vision.

2. Unclear vision.

3. Glare.

4. Difficulty seeing during the evening.

5. Frequent prescription changes for glasses and contact lenses.

6. Colors appearing paler than normal.

It usually takes quite a while for cataracts to develop and eventually it may be necessary to have a man-made lens fitted. However, some good advice for preventing cataracts developing include wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

Optic Nerve

The optic nerve can be damaged by glaucoma which occurs when the fluid pressure in the eye rises to such an extent that it puts pressure on the nerve itself. You might find that there is a history of glaucoma in your family. The over 60s are also prone to this condition. It can be treated using eye drops and/or surgery, but it is good advice to get an eye exam at least every two years to check that all is okay with your vision.

The upshot to all of this is to take your eye care seriously and have frequent checks on the condition of your vision. Early detection of any problems could be vital in finding a suitable and effective treatment.

Earl Moore invites you to discover more about eye care by visiting http://www.eyeviewcare.com where you will find essential information and advice about looking after your vision.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Searching For A Local And Reputable Lasik Eye Center

By J. Lloyd

Lasik eye surgery is a procedure for which many of us are candidates. Using laser technology to modify the surface of our cornea allows for a great improvement in vision; and often frees us from the expense and inconvenience that comes with eyeglasses and contact lenses.

This procedure is done so frequently – and on such a wide scale – that people tend to forget that ultimately it is a surgical procedure that should be given the same consideration as any other type of surgery. So when it comes to choosing a Lasik eye center, the decision should be made with a number of different factors in mind.

Lasik surgery uses laser technology to resurface the cornea – the thin layer of transparent tissue that covers the iris and lens in our eye. The lens actually sits behind the iris – the colored part of our eye – and receives the light that we see all around us in the form of images. The lens refracts – or bends – the light to the retina – a group of cells that line the back of the eye. The retina then takes these light signals and converts them to messages that can be received by the optic nerve in our brain.

When we suffer refractive difficulties – through nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism – the light is not refracted properly and the brain receives a message of a blurry image. During refractive surgery – such as Lasik – the appropriate corrections are made in order to refract light properly.

A Lasik eye center performs Lasik surgery on a daily basis. During the procedure, the patient’s eye is numbed, held open with a speculum, and immobilized using a cornea suction ring. Once the eye is held steady, the surgeon makes a thin incision in the top layer of the cornea to create a flap. The flap is then folded back to reveal the mid-section of the cornea – known as the stroma.

This is the part that is resurfaced using laser technology. Once the resurfacing has been completed, the flap is returned over the eye and allowed to heal naturally. Most people who have Lasik report success through much improved vision. But achieving successful results relies most heavily on finding a reputable Lasik eye center.

First and foremost, no decision should be made at all about Lasik until you are absolutely certain that you are a candidate for the procedure. Only your eye doctor can make that determination so you should begin this process with a comprehensive examination by your ophthalmologist who can tell you which procedure will work best for you and what Lasik eye center to visit. If your doctor is someone whom you trust then this is the best recommendation that you can get for a Lasik eye center.

It is also advisable to speak with other patients who have undergone Lasik eye surgery. Not only will you learn about their experience with a particular Lasik eye center but you will learn what to expect from the procedure in general. Do not underestimate the power of your peers. Listen to what they have to say about their doctors, how they were treated, the professionalism of the Lasik eye center staff, their comfort during the procedure itself, their recovery time and experience, and, finally, their results.

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik eye surgery.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Disposable Contact Lenses - What Are The Benefits?

By Tanya Turner

Many people need vision correction, but hate wearing glasses each and every day. Glasses change your appearance, can get in the way or fall off. They also get wet when it is raining and mist up in the heat. Contact lenses have none of these problems. Most popular modern contacts are disposable contact lenses. They require very little care, are healthy for your eyes and usually cost less than a pair of quality eyeglasses. Can disposable contacts make your life easier and more fun?

Daily disposable lenses - doctor’s choice

You can choose from several types of disposable contact lenses. A very popular choice is daily lenses. You put in a brand new pair every morning. These types of lenses have several advantages - no cleaning and storing fuss, daily disposables provide very clear vision because the lens is perfectly clean every time you put it in and you save on cleaning solutions. Some people think that throw away contact lenses are inferior in quality compared to traditional contacts. This is not true - the only difference is that disposables are much thinner which is actually good for your eyes, because the lens let more oxygen through. Daily disposable lenses are also very good for people who wear their contacts infrequently - it is better to open a fresh pair when you need it than to let your lenses soak in the solution for a week.

Most popular brands of daily lenses are Acuvue 1 Day, Soflens 1 Day and Focus Dailies.

Monthly and weekly disposable contacts

Other disposable contacts you must throw away weekly, every two weeks, or once a month. These lenses would cost you less than daily disposable contacts, and they are also good for the health of your eyes. Most popular choices here are Acuvue 2 weeks and its improved version Acuvue Oasys, as well as Focus Monthly and Soflens 59. You should talk to your eye doctor to decide which option is best for you.

Disposable contacts have a distinct advantage over traditional lenses. The old kind required costly and time consuming cleaning. Modern disposable contact lenses simply need to soak in a multi-purpose solution overnight. No more rubbing and protein removing tablets. Use solutions that are ‘no rub’ so you don’t have to worry about cleaning your disposable contact lenses at all.

And did you know that you can also buy disposable contact lenses that change your eye color? If you are bored with your current eye color and want to try something new, you can kill two birds with one shot - correct your vision and change your appearance. Color contact lenses come in prescription as well as non-prescription. So even people who don’t need vision correction, can wear disposable color contacts.

No matter what lenses you select, remember that your eyes are a sensitive area of your body. You should follow your doctor’s instructions and wear your lenses only for the time suggested by your doctor because your eyes need to breath. Also make sure you care for your disposable contact lenses as advised by your eye care professional.

For information about healthy contact lenses and buying contacts online visit Contact Lenses Consumer Guide