Enjoy Winter Activities Without Glasses

It’s February and most U.S. states are in the full swing of winter. Whether you live in a cold climate or travel many miles to enjoy skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, just think of how much more you could enjoy these activities if you didn’t have the hassles of glasses or contacts.

LASIK eye surgery can provide the freedom to wake up in the morning seeing clearly and go all day without worrying about fogged-up lenses or irritated eyes from contacts. You could enjoy après ski by a roaring fireplace and not think once about contact lens solutions or accidentally breaking your frames.

Let’s face it: Even if you don’t care for cold weather sports, LASIK can bring a whole new level of enjoyment to your everyday activities. The simple action of rolling over in the morning to see your alarm clock – without glasses – should be enough to spur you to consider LASIK. Many LASIK surgeons offer free consultations to let you know if you are a good candidate for the procedure, how much it will cost and if there are LASIK financing options available. 

Know the risks: LASIK can result in dry eye syndrome; vision loss; vision issues such as double vision, halos, glare or starbursts; and the need for glasses after surgery.

Before your next trip to the mountains or frolic in the snow, have a LASIK consultation to see if you can eliminate your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism through LASIK.

Dr O'day at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery offers free LASIK consultations and a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to take the first step in the LASIK discovery process. To schedule your consultation, visit www.charlestoncornea.com or call 843 856 5275.

Is LASIK Different from LASEK – Or is it a Type-o?

Most people know that LASIK is a type of vision correction procedure that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The acronym LASEK is not a typographical error; this is actually a slightly different vision correction procedure that can produce the same results as LASIK. Patients with corneas that are too thin or steep for LASIK can benefit from the LASEK procedure.

In both procedures, a surgeon uses excimer laser energy to reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error. The main difference between LASIK and LASEK is how the surgeon gets access to the inner section of the cornea.

In LASIK, the surgeon creates a corneal flap that is folded back to perform the refractive surgery and then replaced after the procedure. In LASEK, an extremely thin portion of the outer epithelial layer of the cornea is removed with a special tool called a trephine. The refractive surgery is performed and the epithelial layer is replaced.

LASEK Recovery

Recovery from LASEK is slightly longer than with LASIK. While most LASIK patients are able to see with improved vision almost immediately and can usually drive the day following their procedure, LASEK patients may require a week to recover and will have crisp vision within several weeks. Patients can also experience slightly more discomfort with LASEK.

LASEK Advantages

While there are recovery disadvantages, there are some advantages of LASEK. The procedure allows people who were previously not suitable for LASIK to have successful vision correction procedures. LASEK involves the modification of significantly less corneal tissue, lowers the risk of dry eye after surgery and eliminates corneal flap complications. People who play contact sports may also be better suited for LASEK, as corneal strength is not compromised.

Regardless of which procedure your doctor deems prudent for your eyes, most patients can achieve 20/20 or better vision after LASIK or LASEK.

Dr. David O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery  can determine if LASIK, LASEK or a different vision correction procedure will give you 20/20 vision. To schedule your free LASIK consultation, visit www.charlestoncornea.com/  or call 843 856 5275.

Give Your Valentine the Gift of 20/20 Vision

If you are searching for the perfect gift for your sweetheart, consider giving the gift of LASIK…and the possibility of 20/20 vision. Valentine’s Day is all about showing loved ones how much you care, and what better way to show your love than by arranging a free LASIK consultation?

LASIK eye surgery can correct the refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are the conditions that cause people to need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Unfortunately, not every person is a good candidate for this procedure. The only way to determine if your loved one is a good LASIK candidate is through a comprehensive consultation and eye exam by a reputable LASIK provider.

If your loved one finds out that LASIK is right for his or her eyes, you can decide together how to proceed. There are often LASIK financing options available to help pay for the procedure, which costs, on average, $1,600 - $2,500 per eye, depending on the type of technology used. Steer clear of discount LASIK providers that advertise the procedure for less than $600 per eye – these often have hidden fees, are performed with inexperienced surgeons or use outdated technologies that can lead to vision complications.

When performed by a reputable and experienced LASIK surgeon, many LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision – or better – after the procedure, and they often experience a visual freedom they have never had in their lives. Now that’s an amazing Valentine’s Day gift!  

Of course, risks accompany any type of surgery and LASIK is no exception. Vision changes, such as halos, glare, double vision and starbursts; dry eye syndrome; vision loss and the need for glasses after LASIK are some of the risks. Discuss these complication possibilities with your LASIK provider.

Wouldn't it be great to gaze into your sweetheart’s eyes – without looking through glasses? Contact Dr. O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery today to schedule a free LASIK consultation and learn about financing options to help you afford this thoughtful gift. Visit charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275.

Financing LASIK

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 LASIK eye surgery. However, what stops many glasses-wearers in their tracks is the cost of LASIK.

In 2011, the average cost of LASIK in the United States was $2,146 per eye. Of course, fees for LASIK 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 LASIK vision correction in both eyes.

The good news is that financing is usually available for LASIK. Most reputable LASIK 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 LASIK practice will help you fill out and submit all of the necessary forms.

Using Flex Plans for LASIK
If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to set aside pre-tax dollars to use for your LASIK 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 LASIK 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, LASIK eye surgery may actually be a money-saver. You have to decide: What is your visual freedom worth?

Dr.O'Day at Charleston Cornea and Refractive Surgery can determine if LASIK can give you 20/20 vision and discuss your financing options. To schedule your free LASIK consultation, visit charlestoncornea.com or call 843-856-5275.