Since the advent of smartphones and tablets, researchers and eye care practitioners have wondered the same thing. Recent studies indicate it may be possible to control myopia by reducing its progression during childhood and among teens. However, at this time, there is no cure.

Nearsightedness Is Not an Eye Disease

Myopia is a refractive flaw caused by an elongated eyeball. This elliptical shape prevents light that enters the eye to not focus on the retina at the back of the eye. Instead, the light focuses on the front of the retina, causing objects to appear blurry in the distance.

Myopia Control

Finding the best treatment for myopia first requires an eye exam. Board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will can determine the severity of your myopia. He will suggest a clear pathway to regain clear vision from solutions as simple as wearing glasses to wavefront-guided refractive eye surgery. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the patient can avoid poor eyesight at school or work.

Glasses

Glasses are the most popular solution for nearsighted patients. It allows them to see objects in the distance with clarity. For our older patients who suffer from presbyopia, glasses may be multi-focal, offering correction for reading and distance built into the same set of lenses.

However, they may cause a collection of aggravations. These include physical discomfort on the nose and ears, inconvenience when participating in physical or sporting activities, and fogging in humid conditions. Multi-focal glasses can create a fish-bowl effect that can generate dizziness, difficulty walking, or going up and down the stairs.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are trendy, particularly since the introduction of soft contact lenses that can correct for astigmatism. Unfortunately, many people simply cannot tolerate the insertion or wearing of contact lenses. For others who have successfully used contacts in the past, they can sometimes no longer tolerate them due to the onset of allergies or dry eye. Fortunately, those who cannot wear contact lenses are frequently ideal candidates for advanced Wavefront-Guided Bladeless Lasik.

Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK)

LASIK surgery is a popular, safe, and highly effective option for nearsightedness. Its laser is designed to reshape your cornea, permitting light entering your eye to focus correctly. With today’s advanced technology, most patients are suitable candidates for laser vision correction.

Your specific condition dictates whether surgery can provide the results you want. It’s essential to note LASIK centers that utilize older technologies cannot deliver the best results available.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to discuss treatment options for myopia, contact his Vancouver, Washington, Salem, or Portland, Oregon offices today. Call (877) 542-3937 or complete our online contact form.

The post Myopia: Is There A Cure for Nearsightedness? appeared first on Will Vision.

Although bladeless is the more recent technique and has become the first choice with many surgeons, it doesn’t mean traditional Lasik is obsolete. Both forms have their pros and cons, and whichever you and your surgeon choose, you should expect an excellent outcome.

What Is Bladeless Lasik?

With so many different technologies and brandings, Bladeless Lasik comes in multiple names, including Intra-Lasik, iLasik, and Z-Lasik.  At Will Vision & Laser Centers, we offer Wavefront Guided Bladed Lasik, Custom Intralasik, and Bladeless Lasik, all performed by board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will.

There is much information online about Bladeless Lasik, and if you do some online searching, you will discover that the procedure is defined by the use of a femtosecond laser to create a thin corneal flap.

What is a Bladed Lasik?

Bladed Lasik employs a microkeratome instrument to create the corneal flap. During your consultation, one goal for Dr. Will is to determine which device will be best suited for your eyes. Although many surgeons use only the more advanced bladeless technology, there are actually instances when a microkeratome instrument is a better approach than a femtosecond laser.

Blade vs. Bladeless Lasik Effectiveness

Both types of LASIK are useful for improving vision. The femtosecond laser can generate a slightly enhanced quality of vision with fewer complications, but this is not true for everyone. It is important to know that the best choice for each person depends on various factors, like their general and visual health.

One study suggests bladeless Lasik may be the best choice. By exploring clinical results, researchers have determined that 68 percent of the bladeless patients achieve 20/16 vision on the first day after the procedure. The study concluded that the results remained similar at one-week and one-month after surgery.

Which Treatment is Best For You?

From a medical viewpoint, all Lasik procedures are safe and highly effective. Dr. Will’s objective is to match you with the Lasik technique best suited for your eyes. We believe it’s vital to maintain as many options as possible so we can offer our patients treatments that are customized to their unique circumstances.

A one size fits all solution doesn’t exist with LASIK surgery. It is the purpose of your eye exam and consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for one of our multiple options.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to better vision, contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today. We’re excited to welcome you into our practice and for you to “See the Difference.”

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The end of the year means the end of 2018 FSA funds. Use up those remaining dollars with LASIK surgery at Will Vision and Laser Centers. LASIK is an FSA or HSA eligible expense. Call us at 877-542-3937 to schedule your refractive surgery consultation with Dr. Will. The year’s almost over. Hurry in!

What Is an FSA or HSA?

An FSA, short for flexible spending account, is basically a bank account for health and medical expenses. Pre-tax dollars are taken from your paycheck and held until eligible medical expenses are made. These expenses are then reimbursed by the FSA. An HSA is similar, standing for Health Savings Account, but is typically only available to patients with high-deductible health insurance policies. Depending on your health plan and employer, you may be eligible for both an HSA and FSA account.

Saving Money on LASIK- How FSA and HSA Funds Can Help

Although LASIK saves many patients money in the long run, the initial investment can be a hurdle to treatment for some patients. FSA funds can help offset the cost of LASIK, and in some cases cover it entirely.

Since FSA funds come from pre-tax dollars, they offer patients a significant discount on the total price of LASIK surgery. These funds are withdrawn from your check automatically, making it much easier to put together a significant down payment toward surgery.

How to Use FSA Funds to Pay for LASIK

FSA and HSA funds can only be used for LASIK if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. You’ll need to come in for an examination and consultation with our award-winning refractive surgeon, Dr. Will. If you’re a candidate, we’ll give you additional information about LASIK costs and payment options. Our office staff can answer many questions about FSA policies and redemption. You can also talk with your plan provider or employer.

Typically, FSA funds are distributed through reimbursement. Patients pay for the procedure and submit proof of treatment to receive money back. We’ll provide you with the paperwork and receipts you need to verify your LASIK procedure.

Does Your Employer Offer an FSA Grace Period?

FSA funds typically expire at the end of the year. If you don’t use them, you lose them. Some employers offer a grace period for the previous year’s FSA expenses. This provides an extra month or two to schedule procedures and redeem FSA funds.

Some patients take advantage of this grace period to obtain extra funding for their LASIK procedure. Using the grace period allows some patients to combine FSA benefits for two years, the previous year and the current year, contributing twice as much toward the procedure.

I Don’t Have an FSA- Other Ways to Pay for LASIK

No FSA? No problem. Many of our patients finance their procedure through Care Credit. We find that the cost of LASIK is typically covered in just a few years of not purchasing glasses and contacts. Those little expenses add up! And who can put a value on clear vision? The benefits of LASIK surgery are priceless.

Don’t lose your remaining FSA funds. LASIK surgery is an eligible expense and a great way to use up extra FSA and HSA money. The year’s ending soon, so hurry in before your 2018 benefits expire.

The post Is LASIK an FSA Eligible Expense? appeared first on Will Vision.

For many of our patients, LASIK offers lifelong results, improving vision for decades after the initial treatment. Don’t wait until your 30s or 40s to enjoy life without glasses. We can perform this procedure on adults of any age, including college-age patients. Poor college student? Don’t worry, we’re sharing our best tips for affording LASIK surgery on a budget. After all, we understand that tuition, housing, and fees are already a lot to handle.

Better vision is priceless, but it is still an investment. We want all of our patients to enjoy the benefits of better vision. The tips in this guide will make LASIK more affordable and achievable for many of our patients.

How Much Does LASIK Really Cost?

Price ranges for LASIK surgery are all over the board, but remember, quality isn’t always the same. At Will Vision & Laser Centers, we offer state-of-the-art LASIK, using the most advanced technologies and a skilled and experienced refractive surgeon for each procedure. This improves safety and outcomes for our patients. As you examine LASIK pricing, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples, by only comparing LASIK providers that use an experienced surgeon and the latest technologies.

In the Pacific Northwest, the price range for this type of LASIK is between $4000-$6000, an average of about $2500 per eye. Quotes that are significantly less than this likely aren’t using the best technologies or an experienced surgeon. Don’t try to save a few dollars and compromise your vision in the process. Your specific vision needs will affect the final price of your procedure.

Top Ways to Pay for LASIK Surgery

There are many different ways to pay for LASIK Surgery. Many of our patients use their savings or put the procedure on a credit card. Other options include:

• HSA or FSA- If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), LASIK is often a covered expense. These accounts allow you to pay for the procedure using pre-tax funds, offering a significant discount on your out-of-pocket costs.
• Tax Refunds- Tax time is a busy time at Will Vision & Laser Centers because so many of our patients use their refunds to pay for the procedure.
• Financing- You don’t have to have cash in hand to get LASIK. Financing options are available. We offer 0% financing plans and low monthly payments to our patients. No money down and almost anyone can qualify!

Investing in Better Vision

LASIK provides value in two different ways. First, after surgery, you’ll likely spend less on glasses and contacts. On average, a contact lens wearer will spend about $10,000 in their lifetime on hardware and supplies. After LASIK, many of our patients no longer require glasses or contacts. These savings are easy to calculate.

LASIK also provides a quality of life improvement. In our opinion, this is the biggest value of the procedure, although much harder to put a dollar value on. LASIK frees many of our patients from glasses and contacts, providing better vision than they had before. LASIK makes sports and outdoor activities easier, makes it possible to see immediately upon waking up, and provides more freedom when choosing sunglasses.

Invest in yourself and in your vision. The sooner you do it, the more value you’ll get from your procedure.

Better vision awaits! Contact us at 877-542-3937 to schedule a free consultation at our Vancouver, WA or Salem, OR offices. You don’t have to be rich to afford 20/20 vision.

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At Will Vision & Laser Centers, we believe in the power of laser vision correction. Undergoing surgery and achieving freedom from glasses or contact lenses is a life-changing experience. If you ask us, everyone should have access to the incredible benefits of LASIK surgery.

Part of making LASIK accessible to a diverse group of patients is offering financing options. LASIK financing enables qualified candidates to pay for their surgery over time through monthly payments, instead of paying the entire cost of surgery up-front, in a lump sum. We work primarily with a third-party organization called CareCredit, which is one of the best companies in healthcare financing. Because we refer a high patient volume to CareCredit, the company has set up wonderful terms for us.

Through CareCredit, we are able to offer LASIK financing for 24 monthly payments, with 0-percent interest. The monthly payments work out to about $175 per month. There are no pre-payment penalties or consequences if you pay off your surgery in less than 24 months.

Paying for your LASIK surgery through CareCredit could not be easier!

How to Apply for CareCredit Financing

Applying for LASIK financing through CareCredit is simple and straightforward. The online application process takes about five minutes to complete (it does involve a credit check). You will receive an answer to your application almost instantly.

Putting a Price on Clear Vision

It’s difficult to assign a value to a life free of glasses or contact lenses. How much is clear vision worth? Could you even put a price on it?

Perhaps not, but you can think about the costs associated with your current vision prescription. Think about the continual costs of new glasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution. Now, imagine that you invest in LASIK and no longer have to pay for these visual aids. That alone makes LASIK a worthy proposition!

For more information about your LASIK financing options, please call or email Will Vision & Laser Centers today. You can reach our Vancouver office at (877) 542-EYES (3937), our Beaverton office at (877) 542-3937 or our Salem office at (877) 542-3937.

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