At personalEYES, your initial LASIK assessment is completely FREE. The actual cost of laser eye surgery ranges from $2,525 to $6,200 per eye in Australia, depending on the clinic and the type of procedure. The cost can also be based on surgeon experience, as the most accomplished surgeons often charge higher rates.
Sadly, laser eye surgery is not covered by Medicare. Laser eye surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore; not covered under any Medicare scheme.
In the vast majority of cases, laser eye surgery is a permanent vision correction option for patients. However, with age, your eyes may change and you may experience other vision problems. While the changes made by laser eye surgery are permanent, this will not prevent these age-related changes from occurring.
According to a study that examined LASIK's permanence, only 3.5% of LASIK patients needed LASIK enhancement after 10 years. Most of the time, needing to repeat LASIK surgery after 10 years might be necessary because of an underlying condition that changes the vision over time, such as cataracts or presbyopia.
In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older. LASIK surgery has a good track record.
But certain side effects of LASIK eye surgery, particularly dry eyes and temporary visual problems such as glare, are fairly common. These usually clear up after a few weeks or months, and very few people consider them to be a long-term problem. Risks of LASIK surgery include: Dry eyes.
In general, the average age range for getting LASIK is between 20 and 40 years of age. The FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery for those 18 years and older, but most providers will encourage patients to wait until their mid-20s after their prescription has stabilized.
You are never too old to have vision correction surgery
Many patients choose to have treatment to free them up for travel or outdoor exercise once they retire. The treatment which is most suitable for your eyes is best determined by the right tests and an expert opinion from your operating surgeon.
While there is currently no age limit for older adults wanting LASIK surgery, there are some vision conditions affecting adults age 40 and above that can't be treated with this surgery. These conditions are: Presbyopia or blurry near vision typically occurring around age 40.
With success rates that range between 90% and 99%, LASIK is incredibly effective and, for most, it eliminates the need for corrective lenses, at least in the foreseeable future.
How long does the laser eye surgery procedure take? You will be in and out of theatre in under 30 minutes, although the length of time that the laser is applied to your eye ranges from just a few seconds to two minutes, depending upon the complexity of your prescription.
Recovery can vary from person to person, however most people see 20/20 by the next morning after their LASIK procedure. Although the patient's vision is usually very good, that does not mean that healing is complete. It is common for healing to go on for weeks to months after the procedure.
SuperCare allows individuals to access superannuation for eye treatments and related surgeries. It's an external service provider assisting individuals and Family Members in applying for the Government's Early Release of Super (ERS) Programme to cover surgery and medical costs.
Routine eye care services, such as regular eye exams, are excluded from Medicare coverage. However, Medicare does cover certain eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. Medicare covers: Surgical procedures to help repair the function of the eye due to chronic eye conditions.
No, Medicare doesn't typically cover laser eye surgery since it's considered a cosmetic procedure (i.e. you want to remove your need for glasses). However, if you have a certain eye disease and require medically necessary treatment, the cost of your surgery may be covered or subsidised.
If you're over 50, but have little to no signs of cataracts developing, you may be a candidate for LASIK. In fact, corneas strengthen with time, so in some ways, patients in their 50s are at less risk than patients in their teens and 20s!
It is a common misconception that being over 50 automatically makes you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery. The reality is, if your eyes are healthy and you have had a relatively stable prescription for two years, you will very likely still be suitable for treatment.
It is usually best suited to someone in his early 40s, because at that age the brain is more flexible. It works especially well in patients who have been doing monovision with their contact lenses because they have already adjusted to that way of seeing.
A review of 424 LASIK patients in their 40s through 60s showed that outcomes were generally similar regardless of age, but older patients were slightly more likely to need a repeat treatment or enhancements. However, there are some age-related issues that could mean LASIK is not the right choice for you.
While the recovery period isn't long, there are activities that you should put on hold for a few days or weeks, such as aerobic exercise, contact sports and swimming, so whenever you have a time off from work – such as an extended Christmas break – this might be the best time for you to undergo laser eye surgery.
Laser eye surgery is suitable for most people over 18. Ideally your eye prescription will have stayed more or less the same for about 2 years. Lens surgery may be more suitable if you have a high spectacle prescription or later in life.
How long is LASIK recovery time? For most people, LASIK recovery time is very fast and patients resume most normal activities within a day or two. The actual healing period takes a little while longer, typically lasting 3-6 months during which time you should expect your vision to gradually improve.
Yes, you will be awake for your entire LASIK corrective eye surgery procedure. Some people assume because they are undergoing a surgical procedure that they will be given anesthesia and be put to sleep. Yet, unlike other types of surgeries, laser surgery only takes a few minutes to complete.
Is it possible to have LASIK surgery twice? The short answer is yes, though this is usually only done 5 – 10 years after the initial treatment. However, rest assured that LASIK offers long-term vision correction, and very few people require a second session.