lasik-surgery

3 Reasons You May Need to Wait for Lasik

LASIK surgery may be a relatively routine procedure, but there are rules that doctors still need to adhere to. If you’re ready to have it, we’ll examine a few factors that may impact your eligibility.

Prescription Instability

LASIK surgery in Champaign, IL fixes your eyes based on how they function at the time of the event. Should your eyes change afterward, you can end up needing glasses or contacts to see again. Your vision is less likely to change after you turn 25, thanks to the reduction of hormonal fluctuations, but your eyesight can technically change at any time.

You’re Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Much like age can mess with your hormones, so can pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most eye doctors in Champaign, IL, recommend waiting at least a few months after you’re finished breastfeeding to have a better idea of what your vision will be.

Health Factors

Your eye and overall health can impact the surgery’s success. If you have unresolved issues, such as diabetes, infections, or severe dry eye, a doctor may recommend waiting until the problems are under control. Please note that not every health issue will require you to wait and is typically judged on a case-by-case basis.

Visit an Eye Doctor in Champaign, IL

While it can be frustrating to wait for LASIK, it’s ultimately less hassle for you in the long run. Even if you can dramatically improve your vision before your prescription changes again, the goal is to give you a crystal-clear sight for as long as possible.

If you have questions about your eligibility, the staff at Champaign Eye Professionals is here to help. We co-manage our LASIK patients, coordinating and communicating with surgeons to smooth and streamline the process.

Comprehensive Vs. Routine Eye Exams: How to Choose

Eye exams are an important part of keeping your peepers healthy, but there’s not a one-size option. If you’re wondering which type of eye exam in Champaign, IL, is right for you, we’ll look at what happens during a comprehensive eye exam and how it differs from a routine eye exam.

Comprehensive vs. Routine

Both comprehensive and routine tests will test your visual accuracy using a standard eye chart. The eye doctor will test your eyes individually and together, checking to see not just whether you need corrective lenses but the precise prescription you’ll need if you do.

The difference is that the doctor at your comprehensive exams will perform additional testing, including pupil dilation. The more dilated your pupils are, the easier it is to check for abnormalities and potential risk factors. For instance, an optometrist in Champaign, IL, may be able to better determine whether you’re at early risk for glaucoma.

It’s worth noting that the doctor performing a routine eye exam will still look for eye disorders and diseases. However, the accuracy of their evaluation may be less reliable than during a routine eye exam. Ideally, you’ll have a comprehensive eye exam at least once by the time you’re 40 and more often after turning 60.

Eye Exams in Champaign, IL

Ideally, you should have an eye exam at least once a year, even if you haven’t noticed any changes to your visual health. If you’re looking for a doctor who can tell you more about which exam is right for you, contact the staff at Champaign Eye Professionals. From your family history to your eye health to your age, we can tell you more about when to spring for the whole nine yards.

What’s the Safest Contact Brand?

If you’re looking for a contact lens in Champaign, IL, your first thought is likely about safety. After all, these objects will touch your eyes day in and day out, so it’s important that they enhance and protect your eyesight rather than scratch your cornea or otherwise impair your ability to see. We’ll look at which brands stand out on the market and how to select one.

The Best Contact Lenses on the Market

One particular type of contact lens is safer than the rest. The most well-known brands have a good track record for wearers, but their performance is affected by various factors. Before you settle on one over the other, here are a few tips:

  • Doctor-prescribed: You can purchase contact lenses from overseas, costume shops, etc. However, if you’re buying a lens that wasn’t either made by a reputable manufacturer or fit for your eye, you can end up causing damage to your eye health or vision.
  • Regular cleaning and replacement: If you’re purchasing multi-day contacts, you must follow a relatively strict cleaning and care regimen. Storage and replacement have much to do with your contact lenses’ safety, particularly if you wear them for more than two weeks.
  • Checkups: Your eyes can change over time, so regular checkups with an eye doctor in Champaign, IL, ensure that your contact lenses are still the best choice for you.

Get Fitted for Contact Lenses in Champaign

Contact lenses are an excellent choice for many people who want to see clearly without glasses. If you want to learn more about the best brand, the staff at Champaign Eye Professionals can give you all the recommendations you need to find a lens that protects your eyes.

 

Does a VSP Typically Cover Lasik?

Numerous insurance companies can offer a vision savings plan (VSP), each with its own version of the popular policy. If you’re wondering if LASIK in Champaign, IL, is covered, we’ll look at how it impacts your out-of-pocket costs.

Elective Vs. Medically Necessary

VSPs cover medically necessary surgery instead of elective (optional) surgery. However, just because LASIK is considered optional doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay the full costs. Depending on your plan, you may have partial coverage.

To get the best possible deal, you can combine any available insurance benefits you have with payment options. The best course of action is usually to get no- or low-interest financing to pay off the costs without spending a lump sum. Remember the larger savings of foregoing glasses or contacts after the surgery.

How Much Is LASIK?

The cost of LASIK depends on everything from your refractive errors to the technology used to the surgeon you choose. For instance, if you get custom LASIK, which treats both higher- and lower-order aberrations, you’ll pay more than traditional LASIK. In other words, the more severe your vision disorder, the more likely you’ll need custom LASIK. However, LASIK costs are capped per eye, so you can rest assured that you won’t pay over the maximum limit.

LASIK in Champaign, IL

When most people see an eye doctor in Champaign, IL, to treat everything from astigmatisms to near-sightedness, it can get messy to have to then deal with a LASIK surgeon. At Champaign Eye Professionals, our staff offers a co-management solution that ensures smoother communication and fewer hassles for our patients. If you want to learn more about the program, reach out today to see how we can facilitate the process.