For many years, LASIK surgery has been the most preferable treatment to correct visual acuity. With thousands of successful procedures performed and a good reputation, LASIK surgery is definitely something a lot of people who have to wear glasses consider. However, if you visit an eye doctor about getting LASIK surgery, you may be surprised to learn there is now a more advanced option: intra-LASIK. Intra-LASIK involves using a laser to create a more evenly cut flap in the cornea during the surgery. Take a look at a few of the most common questions patients tend to have about the intra-LASIK procedure. 

Does insurance cover the cost of intra-LASIK?

Whether your insurance will cover any type of laser eye surgery or not can depend on the type of policy you have. The procedure is usually deemed optional or not medically necessary, which means a lot of state or federal plans like Medicare or Medicaid will not cover the cost associated with the surgery. By contrast, private insurance policies may offer a certain amount to cover the costs associated with intra-LASIK eye surgery for vision correction. 

Will the procedure take longer than standard LASIK?

Intra-LASIK procedures take about the same amount of time as a standard laser eye surgery procedure. In fact, the procedure may even be completed quicker because the computer-guided laser does most of the work during the treatment. 

What is the healing process like after intra-LASIK?

Healing after intra-laser eye surgery is much like healing after standard LASIK. The only difference is that you may actually heal a bit faster. Your eye will start to heal almost immediately, but the full healing process tends to take about six months. This is because the flap created in the cornea is smaller and less of the corneal tissue has to heal after surgery. 

Are the risks of complications reduced with intra-LASIK?

There are always risks associated with laser eye surgery, including intra-LASIK. However, there may be less of a chance of problems with intra-LASIK than standard LASIK simply because using the laser to create the tiny flap in the cornea offers a more precise surgical action that may be less likely to heal improperly. For example, some patients experience night glare after laser eye surgery, but this may be less likely with the more advanced procedure. Also, due to the shorter healing period, intra-LASIK may leave you less vulnerable to issues with infection. 

For more information on intra-LASIK procedures, contact a professional near you.