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Multi-focal lens implants are a new option
for patients requiring cataract surgery.
The lens allows a greater range of vision in
near, mid-range and distance settings. The
traditional lens implant corrects only for
distance vision.
Insurance carriers pay for Medically
necessary services such as the standard
cataract surgery. The additional fees for
the multi-focal lens implant and associated
services are the patient’s expense as an
elective option. As always, Healthcare
savings dollars are a great pre-tax option
for a planned procedure.
Most Lasik patients feel comfortable enough
to drive on the first post-operative day.
Vision continues to improve over a number of
days depending on the degree of refractive
error & astigmatism corrected.
Patients who have a high degree of
correction experience a glare effect
post-operatively. This is most evident with
night driving. This is expected
post-operatively, but does resolve itself
during the healing process. Dr. Whitford
uses the VISX Star S4 Excimer Laser with
Waveprint and eye-tracking technology to
help minimize glare issues.
There are risks associated with all types of
refractive or corneal surgery. Dr. Whitford
is an experienced corneal and refractive
surgeon who is equipped to manage any
post-operative concerns.
Our area has been barraged recently with
advertising from “discount” Laser Centers.
The fees are certainly attractive, but an
educated patient should certainly do their
homework. Compare the options, surgeon and
your comfort level with the health care
professional that will manage your care from
initial assessment through the entire
post-operative period. It’s cheaper----for
a reason.
Ophthalmologists are trained specifically in
management of all eye disease. Some
Ophthalmologists are more experienced and
qualified to detect minute changes in the
cornea that could signal a post-operative
complication. It is crucial that an
experienced surgeon manage your
post-operative care, so that these potential
problems can be detected quickly and treated
effectively. Dr. Whitford has had many
years of experience in all types of corneal
procedures and repair. Dr. Whitford has
successfully managed patients who have
experienced surgical complications of LASIK.
Dr. Whitford will discuss your visual
demands based on your occupation and leisure
pursuits for the degree of correction
needed.
Lasik permanently changes the shape of the
cornea to facilitate vision correction.
Lasik does not, however, eliminate the
presbyopic changes each adult faces as the
lens ages. This is the reason that most
adults over 40 must use reading glasses,
computer glasses or bifocals. Dr. Whitford
will determine if a mono-vision correction
would be beneficial for those patients.
Most insurance carriers do not cover Lasik
vision correction. Think about it as
“cosmetic” surgery for vision. Some
carriers, however, do offer a benefit or
discount for Lasik. These are generally
based on your specific employer group. Be
sure to check with your carrier or employee
benefits department to determine your
specific benefits. Many of our Lasik
patients utilized a medical savings account
to use pre-tax dollars to pay for this
planned expense. Remember, if you do not
use those pre-tax dollars within the plan
year, you lose them. In addition, some
Vision plans offer a discounted procedure
when you use their list of providers
(generally Optomotrists—not surgeons). Be
sure to compare those discount rates to your
Surgeon’s rates, because they may be
comparable.
Dr. Whitford’s office offers terrific
financing options. There are a number of
financing plans available, including zero
interest plans. Your financing application
can be processed in minutes.
Please contact the
office with any questions that may not
have been addressed here or use our online
form to ask us a question.
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Frequently Asked Questions
