Comments on: Laser Eye Surgery: Summary of Cost and Other Thoughts

By: Lane

Lane — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:05:43 +0000

I had Epi-Lasik (PRK) in January. My left eye was -5 and my right was -8. Both eyes too bad for regular Lasik. Eight months later, I am scheduled for an enhancement on 9/26 – overcorrected eyes by 1.50 Although I am seeing 20/35 with each and 20/30 with both, there is still a litle blurriness close and far. Dr says since they will only correct just a little and not like they did before, I should be seeing 20/20 in 4-5 days and not have the 3 month adjustment I did before. Sure hope so!!

By: Laser Eye Surgery: Summary of Cost and Other Thoughts | Easy Eye Surgery

Laser Eye Surgery: Summary of Cost and Other Thoughts | Easy Eye Surgery — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:08:57 +0000

[...] Original post by mapgirl [...]

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:07:48 +0000

If you have a Costco membership they carry the eye drops….

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:17:30 +0000

Thanks for the detailed post. My boyfriend is thinking of getting laser eye surgery and I’ll be sure to send him your link.

By: Debt Hater

Debt Hater — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:11:17 +0000

I’m just glad you’re healing up and feeling better!

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:12:43 +0000

Thanks all for the great comments. I actually went to one of the best facilities for the surgery, so it was not the cheapest I could get it. However, I’ve had about 4 folks I know go there and get great care. If anything, I have had the worst care of the lot by the actual surgical center. My own doctor is fabulous.

With regards to Lulugal’s comment, I was only told to use the night ointment after diagnosis with SPK, not beforehand. It’s basically Vaseline for your eye and honestly, I’m not sure that it worked. I think getting a humidifier and flushing my eyeball with the whole vial was really the trick.

SavingDiva, BK, Howie, FrugalBabe:
I paid out of pocket with my credit card because I am using Medical FSA for 2008. I just need to submit for reimbursement. Yes, I could have done a payment plan with Capital One, but I just didn’t see the point of it since a check will come as soon as I do the paperwork. However, I have been waiting to do this surgery after two years of serious dental costs first. Everything has to come in the right order and my dental work was my top priority. I absolutely would not have been able to do this surgery without Medical FSA as my forced savings plan. But it did make my dream come true!

ps- I don’t have extreme dry eyes at all now. It’s been three weeks and my eyes are only mildly dry. If the first week I was using about 10 vials a day, I’m in the fourth week and I use about 4-6 a day depending on where I am and how much humidity there is.

By: BK

BK — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:16:27 +0000

Glad to see you are doing better mapgirl. Did you pay for your surgery entirely out of pocket? I had lasik and your procedure was considerably costlier than mine. My eye care plan offered discounts to a variety of surgeons but I chose to go with a TLC Annapolis because of the affiliation with my normal eye doctor.

Everyone’s experience will be DIFFERENT. I’ve known some who had PRK and are FINE with no issues, just as those with Lasik who had issues.. It really all boils down to your pre/post op care and YOU doing as you should to keep your eyes healthy and healing properly. I’m surprised that you weren’t given directions for your post op care prior to the surgery.

Take care

By: Frugal Babe

Frugal Babe — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:57:44 +0000

Thanks for this post Mapgirl. My husband has been wanting LASIK for years, and it’s something we’ve talked about but never really researched. This gave me a better ballpark idea of the price (yikes – it’s higher than I thought!) and what to expect. Maybe we’ll work that into the budget in the next few years. Good luck with healing!

By: Howie

Howie — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:49:43 +0000

I just had my LASIK evaluation and I’m planning on getting Custom Wavefront LASIK. I just can’t afford it right now. I thought by now it would’ve been cheaper but since my mother had it 8 years ago the cost has actually gone up.

By: Making Cents of Debt

Making Cents of Debt — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:09:53 +0000

Thanks Mapgirl! I’ve really found your postings on Lasik very informative. I’m scheduled for my pre-op on Valentine’s Day and have been nervous about it, but you’re experience is helping me deal with that.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:39:07 +0000

I had PRK done a year ago (not a candidate for Lasik). I am still dealing with dry eyes and must use the gel eye drops (forget the brand right now) every night. I tried eye plugs (they plug your tear drainage ducts) and even a prescription to increase tear production (very expensive and not effective). I would say I am still glad I did it because my eyes were really bad, but I do have to deal with the extreme dry eyes. I am 39 — maybe that makes a difference!

By: lulugal11

lulugal11 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:36:45 +0000

@ MapGirl: I used to clean my face with cotton swabs (the ones used for makeup removal) during the week they said I could not wash my face. Luckily I had my surgery during the week I got off for Christmas so only my boyfriend and his mother had to deal with my eyes.

As far as moisturizing did they not tell you to get some night ointment to put in your eyes as well? I had this tube of stuff that looked like petroleum jelly to put in my eyes at night that was supposed to do extra moisturizing.

I am using the eyedrops just twice a day now and no longer need to use the night ointment.

@ Saving Diva…you do not have to pay the full thing up front. They have different payment options that you can look at. They quoted payments of $150 to me but it actually came to $102.

By: SavingDiva

SavingDiva — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:57:16 +0000

Wow! I was thinking about getting Lasik, but it’s just out of my budget right now.