Refractive or laser eye surgery is any surgery which is used to correct vision imperfections. There have been major advancements in these procedures in recent years and nearly any vision problem can now be corrected. Most insurance companies do not cover eye surgery since it is still considered primarily a cosmetic concern. Some insurance companies that offer a vision plan do cover part of the cost, but if the surgery is deemed medically necessary insurance will usually cover all the cost. An injury which results in refractive errors or physical limitations which would prevent the patient from wearing either glasses or contacts would be considered a medical necessity. Insurance coverage can differ from one company to another and prospective patients should check with their provider.
If laser surgery is being considered, the first step is to locate a laser eye clinic with the most experience in the field and which also has an excellent reputation. An appointment should be made to determine if an individual is a good candidate for laser surgery. An examination will reveal any problems with eye disease, corneal scars or retinal problems. Once these questions have been addressed, surgery can be scheduled and the patient can look forward to better vision. If insurance does not cover laser surgery the clinic may have 0% payment plans which will minimize the financial impact.
Recovery from laser surgery is normally without incident and the clinic will usually want to schedule a follow-up appointment the next day. The patient will be provided with dark glasses for the trip home, and instructed to sleep several hours if possible. There will be some discomfort, as if the cornea has been scratched, but that is usually gone within 24 hours. A high percentage of laser surgery patients are happy with their new vision and report they have no regrets about it.