| By: |
Julia Ferullo Kellly Ruggles Bina Lokchander Christina Siryk Puneet Panda |
Although there are social and aesthetic benefits to the surgery, such as having no need for glasses or contact lenses, the slight risk of complications is a heavy one to take. Since LASIK is an elective procedure and thus is not covered by many insurance plans, patients pay as much as $1,000 to $2,000 for the procedure. Thus, those who wish to undergo LASIK must save enough money to pay in full for the procedure. Also, the chance of complications could force further procedures that in turn cost more money and cause more grief to an individual who thinks the surgery is surely a one-time thing. If the flap shrinks during the procedure, it won't align properly with the rest of the cornea once the surgery is done. Thus, daily eye drops to hydrate and expand the flap must be administered. This procedure also combats the effects of excessive dryness of the eyes after the surgery. Although doctors say recovery time from LASIK is a few hours after the procedure, the flap never completely anneals with the rest of the cornea. Much precaution must be taken on windy days or in playing sports since a harsh wind or a tough blow could reopen the flap, causing much discomfort and fear in the once complacent patient. Thus, we may conclude that though the surgery has immediate aesthetic benefits, the physical risk may not be worth the money put into undergoing LASIK surgery.
The complete
article is available from http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/handle/1813/131
and http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/bee453/student2004/LASIK+REPORT.pdf
Posted by Admin at June 17, 2004 11:02 PM