An introduction to some important eye surgeries and their cost

Eyes are one of the most wonderful assets that are beautiful, display emotion and provide sight enabling better functioning. It is important to keep these essential features carefully and to look after them periodically so that they remain in good condition for long periods of time.

Certain essential eye surgeries with their estimated costs are discussed below for better understanding of the costs involved and the different surgery options. This would create a better understanding of the many procedures that are available ad kindle interest among those who need it.

The cost of the various eye surgeries are dependant on a number of factors

1. The treatment method that is followed. Certain surgeries involve latest treatment options that are more expensive than traditional methods that were followed earlier, though sometimes simpler treatment options that are less expensive are also being developed. So the method of treatment has a heavy bearing on the eye surgery cost.
2. The expertise involved. Certain surgeries require great expertise and skill to perform them successfully. Such expertise would require doctor with additional training and knowledge that would add to the eye surgery cost.
3. The eye surgery cost is also dependant on the extent of surgery or the extent of correction that is required to improve vision. Eye diseases that are in the advanced stages require more extensive surgeries.
4. The requirement for surgery for both eyes will cost more than the requirement for surgery for a single eye alone. The costs in most cases are double if both the eyes need to be operated on when compared to an operation on a single eye.
5. The doctor fees. Certain doctors charge a lot less than others; however some doctors who charge more may be better experienced or trained in a particular technique that is required for the surgery one would have to undergo.
6. The state or the city where the doctor or clinic is available also plays an important role in determining the cost of eye surgeries. As an upmarket area could result in the surgery costing a lot more than in other areas.
7. There are many miscellaneous expenses that will be incurred while opting for eye surgery and they include the cost for disposable gloves, syringes, gowns, masks etc. These would also have to be included in the cost of eye surgery that will be incurred by the patient.
8. Certain clinics or hospitals also include post operative check ups and reviews that the patient would require.
9. edications that are provided to aid in the healing process will also be included in the total eye surgery cost.

The various different eye surgeries that are commonly required to treat many people with eye disorders include:

LASIK eye surgery:

LASIK surgery involves the use of laser to treat near and far sightedness. Astigmatism can also be rectified using this laser treatment. For near sighted people, LASIK eye surgery will be conducted to make the cornea less steep so that near sightedness is cured. Farsightedness would require the steepness of the cornea to be increased. Astigmatism may be cured by making the irregular cornea smooth.

The cost of corrective eye surgery using LASIK treatment would be on an average of 2,200$ per eye.

Cataract surgery:

As the age of an individual advances, the protein present in the eye clumps together and blurs vision. This is generally seen in individuals above 50 years of age. Surgical procedures need to be performed to remove the cataract from one's eyes. The cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a synthetic lens. There are 3 different types of cataract surgery that can be performed- phacoemulsification is a commonly used surgical procedure that does not require stitches or a patch over the eye, extracapsular cataract surgery is the surgery of choice for advanced stages of cataract and this procedure includes a patch over the patients eye to be placed, Intracapsular cataract surgery involves shifting the lens in the eye and is used only in cases of trauma.

The lens that is implanted is available as 3 different types and includes monocular lens, toric lens and multifocal lens. Monocular lens are the commonly used lenses. Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Multifocal lenses are used to view objects that are near as well as far but they cannot treat astigmatism.

The cost of cataract eye surgery for each eye is $3000 on an average.

PRK surgery:

PRK eye surgery is a form of laser eye surgery that is a commonly used eye refractive surgery. This surgery was developed in the 1980s but was approved by the FDA only in 1995. This laser eye surgery takes longer to correct the eye and is usually more painful than LASIK eye surgery. This type of surgery is opted for when the cornea is very thin.

The cost of PRK surgery is $1800 on an average.

Under eye surgery:

Under eye surgery is used to remove the bags under one's eyes. The bags may be caused due to the accumulation of fluids or due to fatty tissue. These bags look bad and give the person a tired and haggard look. There are 2 different surgical methods that are available to remove the bags under one's eyes and they are skin rejuvenation method and intense pulse light.

The cost of under eye surgery using skin rejuvenation method is around $1500 while the cost of under eye surgery using intense pulse light is between $300-500 per session.

Eye bag surgery:

Eye bag surgery is also balled blepharoplasty and it is used to remove the bags that are present on the eyes which lend the person with a tired and aged appearance.

The cost of eye bag surgery is between $2000-2500 for either the lower eye lid or upper eye lid. There are laser treatments available to treat the eye bags and the cost of under eye bags using laser treatment are between $300-5000.