We thought this week that we’d take a closer look at the technology we use here at Image Plus Laser Eye Centre to help hundreds of Manitobans live a more fulfilling life without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Originally developed to measure optical distortions inherent in powerful telescopes, Wavefront technology has now been adapted to laser vision correction.
The WavePrint System™ by VISX® uses Fourier WaveFront sensing technology. This technology is exceptionally good at measuring subtle variations in high order distortions (e.g. spherical aberrations, coma). The system creates an incredibly detailed and accurate wavefront map of the eye. This map is as unique as your fingerprint or DNA sequence.
Diagnosis
The first step toward improving your vision through laser eye surgery is the assessment. The Advanced CustomVue Wavefront technology allows a higher level of diagnosis and treatment than traditional diagnosis methods. The VISX WavePrint map that is produced using this method shows the surgeon how light focuses in different areas of the eye, allowing the doctor to decide whether you are a good candidate for Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront laser vision correction.
It also allows the doctor to determine the accuracy of your current glasses prescription and to personalise your laser treatment plan to your eye’s unique vision distortion.
Treatment
VISX® Star S4 Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront laser vision correction is performed with The WavePrint System™. This system includes:
* The WavePrint Map
* 3D ActiveTrak™ Eyetracker;
* Variable Spot Scanning (VSS™)
* Iris Registration (IR™)
Your surgeon is then afforded the opportunity to personalize your treatment in accordance with the Wavefront map. This technology also allows the surgeon to track any minute movement your eye makes during the surgery, via the 3D ActiveTrak™ Eyetracker, across all three dimensions. The machine repositions the laser in real time to compensate for these movements, ensuring the accuracy of the application of the treatment.
The VISX® S4 Variable Spot Scanning (VSS™) allows for more accurate reshaping of the eye based on your personal Wavefront profile.
VISX® Iris Registration (IR™) is the newest component of Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront. It allows far greater accuracy for the surgeon, and accounts for the rotation that occurs in our eyes when we move from a sitting to a lying position.
We chose our technology carefully to ensure that we are providing the best possible treatments and outcomes for our patients.
Laser eye surgery has helped change the lives of millions of people by allowing them both the ability to see clearer and chance to finally ditch those awkward eyeglasses and pesky contacts. However, although this wonderful procedure is readily available almost everywhere in the world, it can still unfortunately be financially out of reach for some people. However, there are a few things that you can do to help defer the cost of laser eye surgery and start seeing clearer today!
1. Get Help From Your Insurance Company
Laser eye surgery, including the popular Lasik procedure, usually ranges in cost between about $1000 to $2000 per eye, the price often varying depending on what sort of vision correction needs to be accomplished. Most medical insurance companies will not cover the costs of laser eye surgery as a “necessary procedure”, but there is still some modicum of help that you can get from certain sorts of insurance carriers. Indeed, although most medical insurance companies currently do not cover Lasik, many HMO’s and PPO’s will have contracts with certain clinics in order to provide a reduced rate for you! So, looking into this fact could be one way in which you could save money on your laser eye surgery.
2. Write-Off Laser Eye Procedures on Your Taxes
It is a relatively little-known fact that the IRS will often allow people to write-off the cost of laser eye surgery on their taxes! The IRS, believe it or not, actually has the presence of mind to regard vision correction surgery (unlike procedures like breast enlargement and teeth whitening) as something that promotes the general functioning of the human body, and thus will allow you to use it as a tax deduction. And, of course, because of this, it is also possible to write off all expenses that relate to your laser eye surgery, such as medications, the cost to travel to and from the laser eye center, and any other necessities that could come into play, such as food and lodging if you have to travel far for the procedure.
So there you have it; it is possible to lower the overall cost of your laser eye surgery without having to settle for a substandard surgeon or clinic (and beware: there are many of them out there with some pretty impressive-sounding pricing), so if you are thinking of getting laser eye surgery, consider these two simple tips when figuring out your laser eye surgery budget.
You may have your own personal reasons for considering laser eye surgery to correct your poor eyesight, we at ImagePlus have over the years found that there are six common factors which bring people to our laser vision correction clinic seeking help to obtain clearer, sharper vision:
Appearance: There’s no doubt that some styles of glasses look better than others, but some people just don’t like the look of glasses. These people want to look good naturally, without glasses dominating their face.
Getting rid of contact lenses: Great strides have been made in the field of contact lenses, but they’re still a lot of work. Cleaning solutions, inserting the contacts, searching on the carpet for lenses that have fallen out, these are all drawbacks of contact lenses that can be aleviated by undertaking laser eye surgery.
Employment: Many occupations require precise, unaided vision. Occupations where glasses may become fogged, or fall off and get caught in machinery or place the wearer, or other people in close proximity in danger, may require that you have clear, unassisted eyesight. A great example of this is that we often have people desiring a career in the Police department or as a Firefighter seeking enhance their chances of acceptance by undergoing laser eye surgery.
Sport: It can be quite difficult to play some sports wearing glasses or contact lenses. Contact sports such as football or martial arts, or any sport where there may be accidental contact such as basketball, place the wearer of glasses at risk of breaking their glasses, and the potential eye injuries which may ensue. In particular, the enjoyment of Manitoba’s favourite sporting pass-times, including swimming and snow sports such as skiing and snowmobiling, are greatly enhanced without the worry of glasses or contact lenses.
Clearer everyday vision: Imagine being able to wake up in the morning and read the time on your alarm clock without fumbling to find your glasses first. Or being able to follow the trajectory of the ball on that 280 metre drive when you’re playing golf. Poor eyesight impacts every aspect of your life. Unassisted clearer, sharper vision will conversely enhance every aspect of your life.
A big life event: A wedding, engagement, or any other important life event where a person will be the centre of attention. We see many people getting ready for an event where they will be the focus of proceedings who want to look the best they possibly can without glasses. They often take this opportunity to rid themselves of their glasses or contacts.
Clearly, there are many reasons you might consider undertaking laser eye surgery to give you clearer, sharper vision. Do/did you have a different reason? Why not let us know by leaving a comment below?
