Anyone have any success stories with Lasik/laser eye surgery/correction?
mummaamand
I H-A-T-E my contacts (and have for about 6 years!) and am fed up; looking into eye surgery but wanted to hear about others' experiences with it. Thanks!
Answer
The vast majority of people who have Lasik or similar laser eye surgery are satisfied with the results, but Lasik is surgery and all surgery has some element of risk.
I work for a nonprofit Lasik patient advocacy. We don't provide Lasik; we just provide Lasik information and certification of Lasik doctor who meet our patient outcome requirements.
Our organization's Quality Standards Advisory Committee evaluated peer-reviewed medical journal articles, FDA clinical trials, and literally thousands of patient outcomes to determine that about 90% of refractive surgery patients (all types of surgery, all types of patients) achieve 20/40 or better with about 65% achieving 20/20 or better. About 3% have some sort of unresolved problem at six months postop with 0.5% being serious problems.
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/do-it.htm
If you hate your contacts because they are uncomfortable, then you may actually have a problem with poor contact lens fitting or dry eye. All dry eye issues should be treated and managed before having Lasik.
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-dry-eyes.htm
An active bulletin board for Lasik patients is at...
http://www.usaeyes.org/ask-lasik-expert/
...where you can read the experiences of others.
The vast majority of people who have Lasik or similar laser eye surgery are satisfied with the results, but Lasik is surgery and all surgery has some element of risk.
I work for a nonprofit Lasik patient advocacy. We don't provide Lasik; we just provide Lasik information and certification of Lasik doctor who meet our patient outcome requirements.
Our organization's Quality Standards Advisory Committee evaluated peer-reviewed medical journal articles, FDA clinical trials, and literally thousands of patient outcomes to determine that about 90% of refractive surgery patients (all types of surgery, all types of patients) achieve 20/40 or better with about 65% achieving 20/20 or better. About 3% have some sort of unresolved problem at six months postop with 0.5% being serious problems.
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/do-it.htm
If you hate your contacts because they are uncomfortable, then you may actually have a problem with poor contact lens fitting or dry eye. All dry eye issues should be treated and managed before having Lasik.
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-dry-eyes.htm
An active bulletin board for Lasik patients is at...
http://www.usaeyes.org/ask-lasik-expert/
...where you can read the experiences of others.
Has anyone ever had Lasik eye surgery paid for as a medical procedure?
Q. I seem to be allergic to every pair of glasses that I have tried. I get horrible rashes around my eyes. It is either something in the metal and/or something that the plastic is treated with. Also, when it's sunny it makes my eczema flair up. A Dr. who does Lasik procedures said I could ask my PCP to refer me for a procedure, but I don't think it would fly.
I have tried contacts, but I am far-sighted in one eye and near-sighted in the other eye. They didn't work. Everything was blurry.
I have tried contacts, but I am far-sighted in one eye and near-sighted in the other eye. They didn't work. Everything was blurry.
Answer
It is rare that a major medical insurance plan has in place a policy to pay for refractive surgery in a situation like yours, but that is what the appeal process is all about.
I work for a nonprofit Lasik patient advocacy. We do not provide Lasik. We provide Lasik information and certify Lasik doctors' patient outcomes.
In 1999 our organization developed a position statement for refractive pathology - when normally elective surgery like Lasik would be a medical necessity. Your allergies and unsuccessful contact lens use would be consistent with our policy.
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/refractive_pathology.htm
Our position statement does not have the force of law, but it sets the guidelines that medical insurance companies have voluntarily accepted.
The first step of your process would be to go to your primary care provider and explain your problems. A history of treatment for allergy due to glasses will help affirm your claims. The PCP would probably send you to an allergist and/or an ophthalmologist for evaluation. If those specialists confirm your situation and that you are an appropriate candidate for Lasik, the next step would be to ask the insurance plan for coverage. Expect it to be automatically denied, but there is always an appeal process.
If you lose the appeal, most states have an arbitration process through the agency that regulates the medical plan. That would be your next step.
Seek the help of your human resources department if you receive your insurance through your employer. They may have a bit more clout than just you as a beneficiary.
It is rare that a major medical insurance plan has in place a policy to pay for refractive surgery in a situation like yours, but that is what the appeal process is all about.
I work for a nonprofit Lasik patient advocacy. We do not provide Lasik. We provide Lasik information and certify Lasik doctors' patient outcomes.
In 1999 our organization developed a position statement for refractive pathology - when normally elective surgery like Lasik would be a medical necessity. Your allergies and unsuccessful contact lens use would be consistent with our policy.
http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/refractive_pathology.htm
Our position statement does not have the force of law, but it sets the guidelines that medical insurance companies have voluntarily accepted.
The first step of your process would be to go to your primary care provider and explain your problems. A history of treatment for allergy due to glasses will help affirm your claims. The PCP would probably send you to an allergist and/or an ophthalmologist for evaluation. If those specialists confirm your situation and that you are an appropriate candidate for Lasik, the next step would be to ask the insurance plan for coverage. Expect it to be automatically denied, but there is always an appeal process.
If you lose the appeal, most states have an arbitration process through the agency that regulates the medical plan. That would be your next step.
Seek the help of your human resources department if you receive your insurance through your employer. They may have a bit more clout than just you as a beneficiary.
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