FAQs

Questions about doctors/facilities

Why should I see a VSP Laser VisionCare doctor?
Why should I go to a VSP-approved laser facility?
When should I talk to a Laser VisionCare surgeon?
What if another facility offers me the same price?
Can I go to a non-VSP doctor?

Questions about laser correction surgery

What kinds of laser vision correction surgery are there?
Is it painful?
What are the risks?
Are both eyes treated the same day?
How long does it take?
What is the recovery time?
What if I'm not happy with the results?
Where can I find more information?

 

Questions about doctors/facilities

Q. Why should I see a VSP Laser VisionCare doctor?

A.Our Laser VisionCare doctors are experts in caring for you before and after your surgery. They’ll help you decide if the surgery is right for you by:

• Evaluating your eyecare needs and providing a thorough eye exam
• Discussing your vision correction options
• Helping you understand the benefits and risks of each option

If you decide to have laser vision surgery, your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor will help you choose a surgical facility and:

• Test your eyes and evaluate the results before the surgery
• Give your test results, eye health history, prescription and any recommendations to the laser surgery facility and surgeon

After your surgery, you’ll receive follow-up care from your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor, who will continually monitor the health of your eyes.
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Q. Why should I go to a VSP-approved laser facility?

A.You’ll get the best care through a VSP-approved Laser VisionCare facility. They’re chosen carefully based on certification, professional ethics and equipment.

Plus, our members receive discounts at participating facilities as well as guaranteed “not to exceed” pricing. You won’t pay more than $1,500 per eye for PRK, $1,800 per eye for LASIK and $2,300 per eye for Custom LASIK.
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Q. When should I talk to a Laser VisionCare surgeon?

A. After you’ve met with your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor for your free pre-operative screening, they’ll coordinate your surgery with a VSP approved facility and surgeon. After surgery, you should return to your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor for postoperative and ongoing care.
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Q. What if another facility offers me the same price?

A. Other facilities may offer to match our discounted prices, but there’s no guarantee their services will meet our high standards.
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Q. Can I go to a non-VSP doctor?

A. If you decide to see a non-VSP provider, your benefit is less. If you have non-VSP provider benefits, we’ll reimburse you up to a specific amount according to your plan, if applicable. You’ll get more from your benefit with a VSP doctor.
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Questions about laser correction surgery

Q. What kinds of laser vision correction surgery are there?

A.Our Laser VisionCare program covers three types of surgery:

• LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis): after a flap of cornea is made and folded back, a computer-programmed excimer laser reshapes the cornea and the flap is replaced.
• Custom LASIK: this process uses FDA-approved, wavefront-guided technology to measure the eye from front to back to create a three-dimensional map. This measurement then guides the laser to reshape the cornea, enabling the surgeon to customize the LASIK procedure to the patient's unique needs.
• PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): a laser is used to reshape the curve of the cornea after the surface layer is removed by gentle scraping.

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Q. Is it painful?

A.The surgery is painless because the surgeon puts drops in your eyes to numb them. After the surgery, your eyes may be irritated for a few days. Any discomfort can be treated with medication.
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Q. What are the risks?

A. All surgical procedures have some risks, including laser vision correction. These may include some minor pain or discomfort after surgery, night glare, regression (a gradual decrease in visual sharpness over time), scarring, under- or over-correction and infection. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor.
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Q. Are both eyes treated the same day?

A. It's common to have both eyes treated the same day. Your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor and VSP laser surgeon will help you decide if this is best for you.
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Q. How long does it take?

A. Allow two to four hours for the entire process. The actual surgery takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
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Q. What is the recovery time?

A. Many people return to work one or two days after surgery. If you have a higher prescription, you may recover more slowly.
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Q. What if I'm not happy with the results?

A. Talk to your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor. Laser centers in the VSP network offer enhancement procedures at no cost to you, if necessary. However, it is important for you to talk about your expectations with your VSP Laser VisionCare doctor before the surgery.
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Q. Where can I find more information?

A. We recommend TLC Laser Eye Centers (tlcvision.com) and All About Vision (allaboutvision.com).
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