The cost οf the refractive surgery varies depending upon the type of treatment. Financing options are available that make refractive surgery quite affordable.
There are numerous potential benefits for patients who undergo refractive surgery. Almost all of these advantages are associated with reduced dependence on eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. While the use of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses can be an effective method of correcting refractive error, it is also a method than can place restrictions on normal, everyday activities.
Reduced dependence on corrective lenses can result in considerably more freedom for patients with active lifestyles. Many recreational activities, such as water sports or contact sports, tend to be much more enjoyable when the necessity of wearing glasses or contact lenses is removed. In some cases, patients choose refractive surgery for professional purposes, rather than recreational ones. Corrective lenses are not permitted in all fields of employment.
For contact lens wearers, refractive surgery can also eliminate the time and effort involved in cleaning, removing and replacing lenses. In addition, over time, the costs associated with maintaining and replacing corrective lenses can be prohibitive. Some eyeglass wearers also cite cosmetic or aesthetic reasons for wanting to undergo the procedure.
The reasons for contemplating refractive surgery will be different for every individual. For those who have required corrective lenses throughout most of their lives, the simple prospect of being able to drive without wearing glasses or contact lenses, or of being able to wake up and see without putting on glasses or contact lenses, may be sufficient reason in itself. The potential benefits, like the potential complications, can vary, and should be considered carefully. The patient is the only person who can decide whether the benefits of laser eye surgery outweigh the risks.
The treatment and measurement devices used at the Emmetropia Eye Clinic incorporate the very latest technology. Emmetropia Eye Clinic places the utmost importance on maintaining its diagnostic and surgical equipment on the cutting edge of technology. In addition, surgeons utilize a separate sterile set of disposable equipment for every eye having surgery. This includes two separate sets of sterile surgical instruments, ancillary equipment etc. for every patient having surgery on both eyes. This double sterile technique affords the very highest level of patient safety available, a critical issue in the refractive surgical setting.
In order to be suitable for refractive surgery there are certain requirements:
The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes around 15 minutes.
Anesthesia is in local form. Drops of local anesthetic are applied to each eye at the beginning of the refractive surgery.
The result of laser surgery lasts a lifetime. In some cases, there may be a slight relapse* resulting to slightly vision. In these cases, the patient undergoes a corrective procedure. Nevertheless, most patients undergo a single operation.
* Also, at the age of 40, presbyopia appears, which is a normal wear on the lens of the eye that reduces our ability to adapt to near-distances. In this case, eyeglasses are given for close vision or the possibiliy of surgery for presbyopia is explored.
Some patients may prefer to have each eye done on different days. In most cases, however, refractive surgery is performed on both eyes on the same day. This avoids the period of imbalance that occurs if one eye still needs correction while the other one doesn´t.