Cataract surgery for the treatment of visual impairment from a cataract is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States today. Patients who have health insurance such as a PPO (preferred provider organization) or Medicare may be responsible for a deductible and/or a co-insurance on the total cost of the standard cataract procedure. The patient responsibility amount may vary from $0 to $1,500 per eye, depending on the insurance provider and any previous medical services that have been used during the calendar year. We now have the ability to improve visual perception after cataract surgery with the help of advanced technology intraocular lens options that range from $1,250 to $6,500 per eye in out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance companies. How much does cataract surgery cost?In Southern California, the cost of cataract eye surgery varies from $0 to $6,500 per eye depending on your insurance coverage and the type of visual acuity result you hope to achieve. What factors affect the cost of cataract surgery?The main factors that effect the cost of cataract surgery are the type of insurance you have, the type of facility used for the procedure, and the type of lens implant that is used at the time of cataract surgery. Your medical coverage will likely afford you benefits in the field of surgical ophthalmology, and those benefits are explained further in the next section. We perform cataract surgery at an outpatient surgery center located in Long Beach California since this lowers potential cost for patients compared to having surgery performed in a hospital setting. Lens implant technology has improved dramatically in the last decade in this medical specialty. Insurance providers will typically only cover the most basic lens options. Upgraded lens implant options will require an out-of-pocket investment on the patient’s part. Our surgeon offers premium lens implant technology that will help you reach your vision goals. These lens options include toric lens (for astigmatism correction), extended depth of focus lens (to increase the range of your vision), and trifocal lens (to reduce your need for reading glasses). This lens technology has the capability to correct astigmatism and reduce your dependence on corrective lens or reading glasses. At Lucent Vision we believe in personalization of our surgical plans so that our patients can attain the excellent visual perception they need for their everyday life. Patients who have had LASIK in the past may need the upgraded technology in these lenses to maintain the high level of vision they are accustomed to. Will My Medical Insurance Cover Cataract Surgery?Yes. Most major medical insurance carriers, including Medicare, offer the benefits of standard cataract surgery in their plans. Medical insurance plans generally cover the medical exam to establish the medical diagnosis of cataracts, the physician and facility fees for the actual procedure, the anesthesia, and a standard lens implant. Even if cataract surgery is a benefit offered by your insurance plan, you may still have a share of cost that is associated with the cataract surgery experience. These expenses are dictated by your insurance plan and include copayment (co-pays), deductibles, and co-insurances. On the day of your eye examination our highly trained staff will be able to answer any of your questions regarding your share of cost for the procedure. More FAQ’s About How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost In Long BeachWhat is the average cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach?The average cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach will range from $0 to $6,500 per eye. This cost includes any deductible, co-pay, co-insurance amounts, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses for upgrades to your lens implant technology. It is also important to note that if you do not have medical insurance, or if you are a part of an HMO plan that is not accepted at our clinic, Lucent Vision offers competitive cash-pay prices to undergo cataract surgery. Does the cost of cataract surgery in Long Beach vary between clinics?Yes. There are a number of reasons why the cost may vary between different clinics. These differences include:
Are there any insurance plans that cover cataract surgery?Cataract extraction with artificial lens implant is covered my most major medical insurance plans including Medicare part B. Cataract removal for vision correction in patients with a medical diagnosis of cataracts is usually considered a medically necessary treatment. Insurance providers will typically require documentation of your signs and symptoms of blurry vision resulting from cataracts. If you have a diagnosis of glaucoma in addition to cataracts, your insurance plan may also cover the cost of a pressure-reducing implant in the eye known as an iStent. This type of a stent can be placed at the time of cataract surgery with minimal risk and a possible benefit of reducing the need for glaucoma medicine after the surgery. How much does laser cataract surgery cost in Long Beach compared to traditional cataract surgery?Using laser energy to assist in parts of cataract surgery is more expensive than conventional cataract surgery without laser. In general, using laser technology during cataract surgery will add $750 to $2,500 to the cost of the procedure. In both laser cataract surgery and traditional cataract surgery a technique called phacoemulsification using ultrasound energy is used to safely remove pieces of the cataract. At Lucent Vision we do not recommend laser cataract surgery because it is not in the patient’s best interest. Here are the specific reasons we do not recommend laser cataract surgery:
You can see the study results on laser cataract surgery from the British Journal of Ophthalmology by cutting and pasting this link into your browser: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699049/ Are follow-up visits and medication included in the total cost of cataract surgery?Yes. Most health plans and surgeons include post-operative care up to 90 days after the procedure in the original cost. The frequency of follow-up visits may depend on your particular course of healing. Medicated eye drops may be needed after your cataract surgery to control pain, reduce the risk of infection, and accelerate your healing. These medicated eye drops may be covered by your drug plan, especially if the drops are a generic variety of the medicine. Not all surgeons use the same eye drops; as a matter of fact, some surgeons do not use medicated eye drops at all. Is financing available for cataract surgery?Yes. Financing is available for any out-of-pocket costs that are associated with premium cataract surgery as well as cash-pay cataract surgery. At Lucent Vision we offer Alphaeon as our primary financing partner and most patients are approved for health care financing. With the help of our financing partner we are able to make out-of-pocket costs more affordable by providing patients with a monthly payment arrangement that better fits their budget. It is important to note that financing options are not available for costs that are incurred from your insurance coverage such as copayments, deductibles, or co-insurances. How do the costs of cataract surgery in Long Beach compare to nearby cities or states?The costs of cataract surgery in Long Beach California are similar through out the Southern California region. Costs may be higher in certain regions such as West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Newport Beach. The costs of cataract surgery in the state of California are higher than those in surrounding states much like other services and goods. Via https://lucentvision2020.com/procedures/how-much-does-cataract-surgery-cost-in-long-beach/
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Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (or LASIK) was approved by the food and drug administration in 1999 and is the most commonly performed refractive surgery in the United States today. As a matter of fact, LASIK has one of the highest rates of success of any procedure in ophthalmology. It is capable of safely and effectively treating refractive errors such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. The FDA approval for the LASIK procedure is for patients who are 18 years of age or older. At Lucent Vision we follow the FDA guidelines and require any prospective LASIK candidates to be at least 18 years of age. Is there a minimum age requirement for LASIK?The minimum age requirement for LASIK at Lucent Vision is 18. Below this age, we would defer to our colleagues in optometry to provide you with an accurate prescription for glasses and contact lenses until you are ready to be evaluated for laser vison correction. Although age plays a role in your candidacy for LASIK, there are other factors that your surgeon will also assess before recommending LASIK or any other form of vision correction surgery. These factors include:
During your consultation we will use cutting edge technology that will allow us to assess your refraction (i.e. your glasses prescription) and the health of your eye from your cornea all the way back to your retina. What is the ideal age to have LASIK?Patients between the ages of 18 and 55 may potentially be great candidates for a LASIK procedure. In our experience, patients between the ages of 18 and 35 may benefit the most as they tend to more easily meet the criteria necessary to optimize visual perception. Patients in this age group have typically grown out of the developmental changes of the human eye that may still be occurring during adolescence. In addition, patients in the age group from 18 to 35 are more likely to have a stable prescription for their corrective lens. Once patients reach the age of 40 they will generally start to see some of the signs of presbyopia, which is the age-related stiffening of the natural lens that causes more visual impairment for near activities (such as reading). Having a laser vision correction procedure once you have already developed presbyopia may necessitate a blended vision arrangement in order to minimize dependence on glasses or contact lenses. For patients beyond the age of 40 a blended vision (or monovision arrangement) involves a far distance correction in the dominant eye, and a small amount of nearsightedness in the non-dominant eye. Your eye MD can discuss the benefits and drawbacks that this type of treatment can provide for your everyday life. Am I too old for LASIK?If you are over the age of 50, there may be better options than LASIK to correct your vision. Laser eye surgery in this age group tends to have a higher risk of dry eyes since we all make less natural tears after 50 (especially women). In addition, ageing causes a stiffening of the natural lens which typically results in presbyopia, or a progressive worsening of near vision starting in the 40s. For these patients, refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery are generally more effective means of re-establishing clear vision at all ranges of vision. Both of these procedures involve the replacement of dysfunctional natural lenses with artificial intraocular lenses that may can allow for great visual acuity and may reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses. If you are over the age of 18 and motivated to see the world clearly without glasses or contact lenses, visit us at Lucent Vision for a free consultation. We specialize in customized vision correction treatments for patients of all ages. Make your appointment now and see if you are a candidate! More FAQ’s About How Old Do You Have To Be To Get LASIK Eye Surgery In CaliforniaHow does the stability of vision affect LASIK eligibility?A stable eyeglass prescription is necessary to be considered a good candidate for LASIK. In this case, a stable prescription is considered a change of no more than 0.5 dioptres in your eyeglass prescription over the last 12 months. Without meeting this criteria, your LASIK surgeon would be chasing a moving target. The result could be an inaccurate treatment. What are the potential risks or complications of having LASIK surgery too young?Patients below the age of 18 may have eyes that are still developing. Some of this development may be related to hormonal changes that have not quite settled yet. If a LASIK treatment is done on an eye that is still developing, there may the the risk of an undercorrection that would necessitate a repeat treatment. In addition, if the eye has not completed its full development, there is a higher risk of a complication known as ectasia. This term refers to a progressive thinning of the cornea after LASIK that can lead to blurry vision that necessitates the use of contact lenses. Patients who have an underlying condition known as keratoconus are at a greater risk of developing ectasia after LASIK. Sometimes the signs of keratoconus are very subtle and not manifested before the age of 18. Why has the FDA not approved LASIK for individuals under 18?Teenagers below the age of 18 are more likely to have a eye that is still developing. This development, along with hormonal changes that may still be occurring at this age, may result in an eyeglass prescription that is still changing. LASIK is meant to be a permanent procedure, so to minimize the possibility of a second treatment in the future, most LASIK surgeons will patiently wait until the eye has stopped developing and the eyeglass prescription is stable. What is the significance of vision stability in determining LASIK eligibility?Regardless of age, all LASIK candidates must demonstrate vision stability with an eyeglass prescription that is within a 0.5 dioptre over the course of a year. If your eyeglass prescription does not show this level of stability, then having a LASIK procedure that permanently changes the shape of your eye may not be the best idea. If your surgeon is trying to treat a moving target then there is a higher risk of an incorrect treatment leading to blurry vision after your surgery, and the potential need for another vision correction procedure in the future. How is ocular maturity evaluated for LASIK candidacy?During your consultation a comprehensive evaluation of your eyeglass prescription, corneal health, and over all eye health will be conducted. A high powered microscope will also be used by the surgeon to evaluate your eyes. Your prescription can then be compared to old prescriptions of glasses and contacts to affirm that there is indeed stability in your eyeglass prescription. What alternative vision correction options exist for individuals younger than the LASIK age requirement?Teenagers below the age of 18 may benefit from eyeglasses or contact lenses for vison correction under the guidance of an optometrist. After the age of 18 a more thorough evaluation of candidacy can be performed to determine if LASIK is a safe option for the patient. What does the pre-LASIK evaluation process involve, and why is it important?The pre-LASIK evaluation process involves the assessment of your old eyeglasses prescriptions, a new evaluation of your eyeglass prescription, a topographic image of your cornea that provides wavefront data (i.e. the specific route that light rays use to go to your retina in the back of the eye), a tomographic image of your cornea (a three dimensional reconstruction of your cornea), and an evaluation of the retina and optic nerve in the back of the eye. Based on this thorough evaluation, a customized surgical plan will be created to optimize your vision. Options for vision correction include LASIK, PRK, Intraocular Collamer Lens implant (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange, or Cataract surgery. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for vision correction. Your thorough pre-operative evaluation will allow your surgeon to confirm that vision correction surgery is a safe option for you. In addition, you will be able to gather all of the information you need and get all of your questions asked. We believe in a collaborative model where the patient is a partner in the journey to clear vision. Via https://lucentvision2020.com/lasik/how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-get-lasik-eye-surgery-in-california/ Patients who plan to undergo vision correction surgery, or refractive surgery, often ask if the result from laser vision correction is permanent. Below is a discussion on the long term effect of eye surgery on your visual perception. Even though LASIK can effectively correct refractive errors such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism, there can be a loss of the corrective effect over time. Can LASIK wear off?
How long does LASIK last?For the vast majority of patients who get their eyeglass prescription corrected by LASIK, it is a permanent fix. For these patients the correction will last for many years without any signs of visual impairment. Eventually, as the human eye ages over the age of 45, there may be disease that can impact the visual acuity. These diseases include:
Who is a candidate for LASIK enhancements?In a small subset of patients who undergo LASIK, there may be a loss of effect over the course of a few years that is called regression. In these patients a secondary procedure known as an enhancement may be possible to regain the effect of the original laser surgery procedure. An eye examination done by your eye doctor can determine if your eye health and corneal health (determined by corneal topography) is appropriate for an enhancement procedure. Are there any underlying causes of poor vision after LASIK?Potential causes of poor vision after LASIK include:
More FAQ’s about Can LASIK Wear OffDoes LASIK correction fade over time due to natural ageing?Natural age-related changes of the eye can definitely cause problems that can limit the effect of laser vision correction. These age-related changes of the human eye include:
It is important to note that LASIK generally does not increase your chances of developing these ageing changes of the eye. These ageing changes could occur even if you elected not to get LASIK. Can regression occur after LASIK, and how is it managed?Regression is a loss of effect of the laser treatment over time due to remodeling changes of the cornea. The likelihood of having regression after any type of laser vision correction procedure is probably in the range of 15-20%. There are certain risk factors that can make regression more likely. These risk factors include larger refractive errors such as high myopia (i.e. more than a -6.00 prescription), as well as hyperopic treatments for patients with positive prescriptions (i.e. the eyeglass prescription starts with a + which denotes far-sightedness). Newer evidence in the ophthalmology literature also suggests that performing near tasks such as reading, computer work, or phone work for 8 cumulative hours a day may also increase the chances of regression in the years following laser vision correction. If you are noticing blurry vision in the years following LASIK, you should visit your eye surgeon for a problem solving eye examination. Your eye doctor will be able to measure your refraction and evaluate your eye health to determine if you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of regression. If your eye health permits, a quick and effective laser touch-up procedure may be possible to regain the effect of your original LASIK procedure. How often do patients need LASIK enhancements?A small subset of patients, usually less than 20%, may notice a visually significant loss of clarity in the years following LASIK. Some of these patients will elect to return to contact lens usage or eyeglasses. If eye health permits, some of these patients may choose to get a LASIK enhancement to regain the effect of the original LASIK procedure. Depending on their age, some patients may be better candidates for other procedures such as refractive lens exchange where a dysfunctional lens in the eye can be replaced with an intraocular lens that can restore vision at all ranges. Are LASIK enhancements common, and what do they entail?LASIK enhancements are not common. If there is evidence of regression, it is typically found several years after LASIK. In these patients, a touch-up or enhancement procedure may be possible to correct the vision. The procedure of choice for an enhancement is usually PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy. This is a quick and effective procedure where the surface of the LASIK flap is gently re-shaped to regain the effect of the original LASIK procedure. PRK generally produces excellent outcomes, but it has a longer recovery time than LASIK. After undergoing a PRK enhancement, patients will typically need a few weeks of healing time to recover excellent vision. Does LASIK permanently correct astigmatism, or can it return?LASIK is an excellent long-term treatment for astigmatism correction. Nonetheless, in less than 20% of patients, there can be a remodeling effect over several years that can blunt the effect of the original LASIK procedure. In this small subset of patients there may be a regression or return of some small amount of astigmatism which can reduce the sharpness of the visual acuity. What causes some people to need glasses after years of having LASIK?The most common reason why patients who’ve had LASIK wear glasses is because of ageing changes of the natural lens that make near vision more blurry over the age of 45. This age-related stiffening of the natural lens is called presbyopia and it tends to progress all the way out to the age of 65. Often times these patients still retain very good distance vision, but need readers or cheaters to look at small print. How does LASIK interact with the aging eye, particularly the onset of presbyopia?Presbyopia is an age-related stiffening of the natural lens in your eye. This reduction in the functionality of your natural lens results in having more difficulty with reading fine print at a near distance. It is important to note that having LASIK does not change the fact that nearly everyone develops these age-related changes in the eye. Even if you choose not to undergo LASIK, you will still develop the signs and symptoms of presbyopia at some point over the age of 45. Can lifestyle or environmental factors influence LASIK longevity?Newer evidence in the ophthalmology literature suggests that performing near tasks such as reading, computer work, or phone work for 8 cumulative hours a day may increase the chances of regression in the years following laser vision correction. This regression may manifest as nearsightedness, where things that used to be sharp at a distance are more fuzzy. Taking breaks when performing near tasks may have some protective benefit. What are the long-term studies showing about LASIK durability?The vast majority of LASIK patients maintain excellent vision for many years following their procedure. As such, there is a lot of evidence that the results of LASIK are durable and long-lasting. Less than 20% of patients (especially patients with prescriptions greater than -6.00) may notice regression, which is a partial loss of effect of the treatment due to remodeling changes of the cornea in the years following LASIK. Is there a difference in LASIK wear-off rates between high prescriptions and low prescriptions?Patients who are more nearsighted, such as patients with prescriptions greater than -6.00 diopters, tend to have a higher risk of regression in the years following LASIK. This elevated risk of regression has to do with corneal healing changes that are more pronounced in patients who start with a larger prescription. Via https://lucentvision2020.com/lasik/can-lasik-wear-off/ Yes you can have LASIK even if you have been diagnosed with dry eyes. Dry Eye Disease is a common condition that we see in prospective LASIK candidates. As a matter of fact, dry eyes are one of the most common reasons that people seek out a specialist in ophthalmology. There are many different factors that can contribute to the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Nonetheless, at Lucent Vision we address the risk factors associated with this problem and we also initiate therapy to improve the long term health of our patients eyes. Can I have LASIK if I have dry eyes?In summary, you can indeed have LASIK if you have dry eyes because of the following reasons:
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?The most common symptoms of dry eyes include:
What are the treatment options for dry eyes before LASIK?Your LASIK surgeon may use a combination of the following therapies to control your dry eyes before laser surgery:
How common is dry eye after LASIK?Most patients will have a temporary reduction in their tear production system in the first 6 to 8 weeks after laser eye surgery. Dry eye symptoms can generally be controlled with lubricants during this time healing period. These dry eye symptoms tend to gradually improve as the cornea heals from laser eye surgery. Chronic dry eye syndrome that lasts more than a few months after surgery is very rare, and usually associated with other factors such as underlying medical problems, certain medications, and activities that promote dry eyes. More FAQ’s About Can I Have LASIK If I Have Dry EyesHow common is dry eye syndrome?Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common reasons for people in the United States to seek the care of an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor. There are many risk factors associated with our modern lifestyles that may contribute to the large prevalence of dry eye disease. Does LASIK cause dry eyes?Although LASIK does not cause dry eyes, it has been associated with a transient reduction in tear production. LASIK (also known as Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) causes an anatomical change in the nerves that are found in the deeper layers of the cornea. This temporary interruption in nerve function leads to the symptoms of dry eyes after LASIK eye surgery. Over time, this network of corneal nerves regenerates and tear production improves and eventually stabilizes. Who is most at risk of developing dry eyes after LASIK?There are a number of pre-existing conditions that can give patients a higher risk of dry eyes after laser vision correction. These risk factors include:
How are dry eyes diagnosed before LASIK surgery?Prior to your LASIK surgery, you will receive a comprehensive eye examination performed by our corrective eye surgery team. We use the best diagnostic technology available including corneal imaging (such as corneal topography and tomography) to assess the health of your eyes. Your surgeon will also personally evaluate the top layer of your cornea (known as the epithelium) with the help of a high-magnification microscope. This portion of the consultation will also allow your eye surgeon to evaluate the function of the meibomian glands (oil producing glands at the base of your eyelashes) which contribute to your ocular health. Based on the results of your consultation, you may be diagnosed with dry eye disease. Can treating dry eyes improve LASIK outcomes?Dry eye treatment can indeed improve LASIK outcomes because having a normal and healthy tear film on the surface of the human eye improves its ability to properly bend light rays to the proper location on the retina. By the same token, if there is an abnormal tear film, it may causes blurred vision because light rays are not reliably focused onto the correction location on the retina. Having enough tears that are composed of the correct proportions of water, oil, and mucus can maximize your visual acuity after LASIK. Is there an alternative to LASIK for patients with severe dry eyes?There are multiple good alternatives to LASIK for patients who suffer from severe dry eyes. Photorefractive keratectomy (or PRK), is a laser eye surgery that does not involve the formation of a “flap” on the cornea. By avoiding flap creation, corneal nerves may be spared, and this may substantially reduce the effect of dry eyes for these patients. Another great alternative that bypasses the cornea altogether is the implantation of an ICL (intraocular collamer lens or implantable contact lenses). Both PRK and ICL treatments are primarily used for near-sightedness (i.e. myopia) and astigmatism, and may have a lower long term risk of dry eyes compared to LASIK. How can I prepare for LASIK if I have dry eyes?Before you undergo LASIK you can optimize your own tear film by making a few minor behavioral adjustments. In particular you can:
What are the long-term effects of LASIK on dry eyes?For the majority of people, the transient decrease in tear production associated with LASIK will cause temporary symptoms that subside gradually over the first three months after LASIK eye surgery. In addition, these symptoms can be treated with a simple regimen prescribed by your LASIK surgeon. Nonetheless, there may be the rare possibility of having more chronic symptoms of dry eye following laser eye surgery. Via https://lucentvision2020.com/lasik/can-i-have-lasik-if-i-have-dry-eyes/ Since 2016, Lucent Vision has been committed to serving the diverse community of Long Beach and its surrounding cities. It is our mission to deliver the benefits of clear and unaided vision with a personalized experience. Before our arrival in Long Beach, there was no state-of-the-art facility in the region providing these services with our level of customization. We are located just a few blocks south of the traffic circle and adjacent to the “Big Rec” golf course on the east side of Long Beach. Our highly-rated team is lead by Dr. Nimesh Pathak, a board-certified ophthalmologist and vision correction surgeon who has been practicing in Long Beach since 2010. We look forward to being your guides on the journey to clear vision. We are located at:5175 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 102
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AuthorLucent Vision is a state-of-the-art eye clinic that offers a personalized vision correction experience. Our specialties include LASIK, Custom Lens Replacement, and Premium Cataract Surgery. |