Wolstan & Goldberg Eye Associates

LASIK and Refractive Eye Surgery - What You Need to Know About Cost and Financing

admin@einsteinindustries.com (admin) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:11:00 -0700

When considering LASIK eye surgery, your decision cannot be made until you have thoroughly considered all aspects of such a decision--including its cost. LASIK eye surgery is a somewhat expensive procedure, and one most vision insurance plans don’t cover. But LASIK can still be affordable. Some employers will make arrangements with a given LASIK or refractive surgery center for special pricing. Or you may decide you need financing. In some cases, LASIK or refractive eye surgery can even qualify for tax deduction, so check with an accountant.

What you can expect to pay depends on various factors and types of technology used. Even if both eyes are operated on the same day, keep in mind that each eye may not cost the same and priced separately.

Beware of those who advertise LASIK surgery at bargain prices far below this price range. Often times these prices don’t reflect all associated costs, and they may only be available to a select few whose vision doesn’t require much correction or follow-up post surgery. Be wise and ask plenty of questions about what a procedure actually costs beyond what is advertised. And be sure to get an estimate in writing, detailing exactly what you are getting for that particular price.

Should you choose to finance your surgery, you should always be sure that the LASIK eye surgeon you’re using accepts that particular type of financing. Ask for a list of approved financing companies from the LASIK surgeon before you begin researching or applying.

Companies that provide LASIK financing usually offer a wide range of plans. Some allow you to complete payments within three months, or as long as five years. Short-term plans have their benefits, such as lower interest rates, or sometimes no interest at all. Long-term payment plans, on the other hand, can charge interest rates as high as 22.99 percent. You should be aware that your credit rating could help or hurt the amount of the interest rate on your loan.

Additional savings may be had if you are an employee for a large company offering subsidized health plans. Large companies oftentimes offer plans that can cover at least part of LASIK costs. If you are a member of the U.S. Military, you may be able to receive LASIK and other corrective vision surgery options free of charge, depending on the nature of your duties.

Contact our Los Angeles lasik eye surgeon for more information. At Wolstan Eye Associates, comprehensive eye care is our specialty.

BOTOX® Injections – Frequently Asked Questions

admin@einsteinindustries.com (admin) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:10:00 -0700

BOTOX® cosmetic is a safe and popular way to get rid of lines and creases on face. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation about BOTOX® injections. Here are some real answers to the most frequently asked questions about BOTOX® injections.

Q. Is BOTOX® cosmetic safe? I’ve heard it’s a type of toxin.

A. BOTOX® injections are a highly diluted form of the neurotoxin botulinum type A. In its cosmetic form, BOTOX® injections do not cause illness. It works by blocking nerve impulses that cause our faces to scrunch up into lines and creases. Once these muscles are relaxed, the wrinkles and lines disappear.

Q. Am I a good candidate for BOTOX® injections?

A. If you’re a healthy adult between the ages of 18 and 65, you could be a good candidate for BOTOX® injections. BOTOX® injections are minimally invasive, and have been proven to reduce frown lines, laugh lines, and other types of ‘expression’ wrinkles on the face.

Q. How long do the effects last?

A. BOTOX® injections are not a permanent solution for wrinkles. Its effects begin to fade after three to four months. Some patients see results that last up to six months. Follow-up sessions are required to keep wrinkles from reappearing.

Q. What are some common side effects of BOTOX® injections?

A. Some patients notice redness or swelling at the injection sites which goes away within a day. Others have a mild tingling or numbness for a few days after their BOTOX® cosmetic session. BOTOX® injections will sometimes cause minor drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow in the affected site, but this is a rare and temporary effect that vanishes within a week or two. There is also the potential for a reaction to the BOTOX® cosmetic itself, which can produce mild flu-like symptoms, headaches, and nausea.

Q. How much do BOTOX® injections cost, and will my insurance cover it?

A. The average cost of BOTOX® injections in the USA is $375 per session. This price may vary depending on your location and the experience level of your cosmetic surgeon. Insurance does not typically cover BOTOX® cosmetic treatments.

Contact our Los Angeles BOTOX®, eyelid surgery, and LASIK surgery center for more information. At Wolstan Eye Associates, comprehensive eye care is our specialty.

LASIK Eye Surgery – Myths and Misconceptions

admin@einsteinindustries.com (admin) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:10:00 -0700

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that corrects some of the most common vision problems. It is performed about four million times a year. And yet, despite its popularity, LASIK vision correction is surrounded by many myths and misconceptions. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones and sort out the facts.

Myth #1: Anyone with vision problems is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.

Fact: A LASIK eye surgeon will need to examine the eyes in order to determine if the patient would benefit from the surgery; however, if you are under 18, pregnant, have scarring on the cornea or problems with very dry eyes, you would not be an ideal candidate.

Certain diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, will also disqualify you from being a candidate.

Myth #2: After LASIK or refractive eye surgery, you’ll never need to wear glasses or contact lenses ever again.

Fact: This is true most of the time, but not all of the time. Patients’ results from LASIK will vary. Some will achieve 20/20 vision and end their dependence on corrective eyewear. Others may find reading glasses are still needed. Aging and naturally occurring conditions, such as presbyopia, can also impair vision, even for those who have previously undergone LASIK vision correction.

Myth #3: Eye complications are common after laser vision correction.

Fact: Studies show that the risks for LASIK are very low. Minor discomforts, such as temporary dry eye or night glare, may initially occur, but usually resolve without further treatment after several weeks or months. Diagnostic testing conducted prior to LASIK will rule out high-risk individuals who are more prone to developing long-term complications.

Myth #4: Getting LASIK eye surgery can make you go blind.

Fact: One of the most common myths about LASIK can make you go blind. Perhaps this fear came about due to the fact that a laser is used during the surgery. There have been no cases of blindness caused by LASIK reported in the United States. A close second to this myth is the fear that you will be unable to see immediately after the LASIK procedure. But again, this isn’t the case--when you leave you will be seeing out of both eyes. And while you may experience some blurry vision for the first day or so, that will soon dissipate and you will be able to return to your normal activities.

For more information, contact one of our Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeons. They will be able to answer your questions relating to laser vision correction as well as cataracts.

LASIK Eye Surgery - Common Questions

unknown@einsteinindustries.com (unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:53:00 -0800

As with any surgical procedure, it is important to be fully aware of what to expect, both in terms of risks and results. Below are some frequently asked questions about LASIK eye surgery.

Is LASIK eye surgery a safe procedure?

The majority of people who have LASIK eye surgery do not have any serious complications. However, as with any type of surgical procedure, there are risks that a patient should be aware of before choosing to have the procedure. The risks include the possibility of infection, incorrect reshaping of the cornea, wrinkles in the flap, and problems with night vision. Some of the complications are temporary. Others are permanent, but may be corrected through additional surgeries.

Who is an ideal candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

A candidate for the procedure must be at least 18 years of age, in good general health and have a vision problem that your eye surgeon feels could be corrected through the LASIK procedure.

Is the procedure very painful?

Most patients find that there is almost no pain associated with LASIK eye surgery. Any mild pain that is present following the procedure can be usually be treated with over the counter medication.

How do I go about finding a qualified surgeon to perform LASIK eye surgery?

Anyone considering LASIK should choose their LASIK eye surgeon carefully. Ideally, you want to find someone with several years experience performing the procedure. He should be board certified as well. It is not a good idea to base your decision solely on price. This is akin to putting your eyes in the hands of the lowest bidder.

How long is the recovery time following LASIK eye surgery?

The recovery time is fairly short. Most patients are back to work the following day. While the recovery is short, there are usually some detailed post-op directives that should be followed very closely in order to speed healing and prevent complications.

How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?

The cost of the surgery will vary greatly depending on the surgeon you choose, the area in which you live, and other factors.

To learn more about LASIK as well as cataracts and cataract surgery and cosmetic eyelid surgery and BOTOX® injections, we encourage you to visit our LASIK office near Palos Verdes.

About Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

unknown@einsteinindustries.com (unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:50:00 -0800

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss for those over the age of 55. The good news for many is that this clouding of the natural lens is often easily correctible with cataract surgery. In fact, cataract surgery is performed more than 3 million times every year in the United States.

Cataracts cause men and women to lose their vision by causing the eye’s lens to become cloudy. To correct this, the surgeon will remove the natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens. There is more than one type of cataract surgery.

The one that is most often used today is called phacoemulsification. The reason that this is the preferred method of cataract surgery is that because the required incision is so small, no stitches are needed. This means a quick healing time and no complications in the vast majority of patients.

Intracapsular and extracapsular are two other types of cataract surgeries. Intracapsular is rarely used at all anymore while extracapsular is reserved only for patients with certain types of natural lenses. Because stitches are required, the healing time is longer and the risk for complications is greater.

To prepare for cataract surgery, the patient will need a couple of days off of work. Also, they will need to arrange for someone to drive them home from the procedure. If the patient takes any medications, they should bring a list to the eye surgeon. There may be certain medication you will be unable to take in the days leading up to surgery.

Happily, complications are rare and occur in only about 3 to 5 percent of those who have cataract surgery. Still, it is important to understand the potential risks which include bleeding, black eyes, a leak at the site of the incision, or the formation of another cataract.

Cataract surgery usually lasts less than half an hour and most patients do not report any pain following the procedure. Most are back at work within a day or two following surgery. Cataract surgery is usually covered by most health insurance plans.

To learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery as well as Wavefront LASIK and cosmetic eyelid surgery and BOTOX® injections, we encourage you to visit our LASIK office near Palos Verdes.