I can't believe it has already been a month since I had LASIK. I never thought I would get accustomed to not wearing glasses so quickly, but I am loving it! Not only can I see my shampoo bottles in the shower, but I also get to put on sunglasses anytime I want, press my face up against my girls' cheeks (without stabbing them with the side of my glasses), and see immediately when I wake up. Side note: I found out I have a smoke detector in my bedroom with a little blinking light. With my glasses off I honestly could not see any blinking light or the detector above our heads. I asked Kevin if it had always been there, because it was at an angle I would only see lying in bed, when I normally had my glasses off.
I'd like to share a little about what procedure day was like. First, let me say that Kugler Vision is the most customer focused business I have ever met. On procedure day, I was treated like royalty. I was brought into a peaceful room, asked what kind of music I liked for the procedure, and got to relax in a massage chair until the drops and relaxing medication kicked in.
The actual procedure is simple, a few flashing lights, and about 10 minutes under the machines...ta-da...you are able to see without glasses or contacts. Dr. Kugler talks with you through the appointment, letting you know what stage of the procedure you are in, and how much longer...its extremely calming.
Although you can "see" immediately after, things are a little foggy the first day as your eyes heal...but here is the BEST PART...the next day you wake up and you can see. You can see your alarm clock, see in the shower, and drive yourself to the follow-up appointment without glasses. The first day after my procedure I was already seeing better than 20/20 vision. It is really fascinating.
I've mentioned in a past post a few reasons why I decided to get LASIK, but it just wouldn't be one of my posts if I didn't talk about some of the financial aspects that went into my decision.
Below is a photo of the eyewear I get to throw away post-procedure. This is just a small glimpse into the amount of money I spent over the last 20 years in order to allow me to see on a regular basis. This doesn't include contact solution and gear we still need since Kevin wears contacts.
Since every person is different, I want you to add up what you spend in a year for all of these items:
Contacts-1 year supply of my daily disposable contacts is $500+
Glasses Frames-Even with vision insurance these cost me $200
Glasses Lenses- Again, since I want anti reflective coating, and thinner lenses so they don't look like pop bottles these cost me $150 with insurance
Prescription Sunglasses-Purchased every 2 years at a cheap online dealer for $50..these often cost closer to $250+ at a local retailer
Co-Pay for the above if you have eye insurance- $35 frame & $60 lens copay
Contacts Cases & Contact Solution -With my daily contacts, I don't use solution/cases, but Kevin's costs around $130/year
I'm 31 (not sure I've ever admitted that on here!) and let's conservatively say I'm going to live until I'm 81. That is 50 YEARS of not buying all of the above! So multiply that number by the years of life you expect to have left!
Say you're a bit older than I am... and you've estimated you have 30 years left of wearing glasses/contacts. According to Kugler Vision, if you look at just the cost of solution and cases over 30 years (not even the contacts or glasses themselves) it costs you $5,400.
...and here is where the math gets you...Add in prescription glasses and you're looking at $12,000 over 30 years,and with contacts you're now spending a whopping $34,000 over 30 years buying contacts.
Let's also not forget the joy (which can you really put a price tag on?) of never having to worry about glasses or contacts again. No more hassle of new prescriptions, ordering more contacts, worry about taking extra contacts on a trip in case your glasses break, and (as Kevin reminded me) I can now easily go to 3D movies without having to balance the glasses on my nose on top of my regular glasses.
Now considering that in one 10 minute procedure, and about $5,000 total for both eyes, you could be free from all of that for the rest of your life.
What else would I suggest before getting LASIK? Funding your HSA or FSA at work, because even though insurance won't cover the procedure you can take what I consider is 30% discount off the top just by paying for the procedure with your pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars.
This post was written as a result of a collaboration with our blog and Kugler Vision. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine!
I'd like to share a little about what procedure day was like. First, let me say that Kugler Vision is the most customer focused business I have ever met. On procedure day, I was treated like royalty. I was brought into a peaceful room, asked what kind of music I liked for the procedure, and got to relax in a massage chair until the drops and relaxing medication kicked in.
The actual procedure is simple, a few flashing lights, and about 10 minutes under the machines...ta-da...you are able to see without glasses or contacts. Dr. Kugler talks with you through the appointment, letting you know what stage of the procedure you are in, and how much longer...its extremely calming.
Although you can "see" immediately after, things are a little foggy the first day as your eyes heal...but here is the BEST PART...the next day you wake up and you can see. You can see your alarm clock, see in the shower, and drive yourself to the follow-up appointment without glasses. The first day after my procedure I was already seeing better than 20/20 vision. It is really fascinating.
Now, before the whole procedure I'm the first to admit I was nervous, but the results are amazing, I would do it again and again.
I've mentioned in a past post a few reasons why I decided to get LASIK, but it just wouldn't be one of my posts if I didn't talk about some of the financial aspects that went into my decision.
Below is a photo of the eyewear I get to throw away post-procedure. This is just a small glimpse into the amount of money I spent over the last 20 years in order to allow me to see on a regular basis. This doesn't include contact solution and gear we still need since Kevin wears contacts.
Since every person is different, I want you to add up what you spend in a year for all of these items:
Contacts-1 year supply of my daily disposable contacts is $500+
Glasses Frames-Even with vision insurance these cost me $200
Glasses Lenses- Again, since I want anti reflective coating, and thinner lenses so they don't look like pop bottles these cost me $150 with insurance
Prescription Sunglasses-Purchased every 2 years at a cheap online dealer for $50..these often cost closer to $250+ at a local retailer
Co-Pay for the above if you have eye insurance- $35 frame & $60 lens copay
Contacts Cases & Contact Solution -With my daily contacts, I don't use solution/cases, but Kevin's costs around $130/year
I'm 31 (not sure I've ever admitted that on here!) and let's conservatively say I'm going to live until I'm 81. That is 50 YEARS of not buying all of the above! So multiply that number by the years of life you expect to have left!
Say you're a bit older than I am... and you've estimated you have 30 years left of wearing glasses/contacts. According to Kugler Vision, if you look at just the cost of solution and cases over 30 years (not even the contacts or glasses themselves) it costs you $5,400.
...and here is where the math gets you...Add in prescription glasses and you're looking at $12,000 over 30 years,and with contacts you're now spending a whopping $34,000 over 30 years buying contacts.
Let's also not forget the joy (which can you really put a price tag on?) of never having to worry about glasses or contacts again. No more hassle of new prescriptions, ordering more contacts, worry about taking extra contacts on a trip in case your glasses break, and (as Kevin reminded me) I can now easily go to 3D movies without having to balance the glasses on my nose on top of my regular glasses. Now considering that in one 10 minute procedure, and about $5,000 total for both eyes, you could be free from all of that for the rest of your life.
What else would I suggest before getting LASIK? Funding your HSA or FSA at work, because even though insurance won't cover the procedure you can take what I consider is 30% discount off the top just by paying for the procedure with your pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars.
How would I suggest getting the most savings out of a LASIK procedure?
1. Plan ahead with budgeting. Go ahead and schedule a consultation to see if you are eligible for LASIK. The appointment will also give you a dollar amount for the procedure.2. Fund your HSA/FSA. Plan for when you want your procedure and fund your savings account.3. Save up the remainder. You may not have enough saved in your FSA (for example, FSA is limited to $2,700 per year in 2019) so you may need to also save up a little cash on the side to cover it.4. Schedule your procedure and enjoy your freedom from glasses!
1. Plan ahead with budgeting. Go ahead and schedule a consultation to see if you are eligible for LASIK. The appointment will also give you a dollar amount for the procedure.2. Fund your HSA/FSA. Plan for when you want your procedure and fund your savings account.3. Save up the remainder. You may not have enough saved in your FSA (for example, FSA is limited to $2,700 per year in 2019) so you may need to also save up a little cash on the side to cover it.4. Schedule your procedure and enjoy your freedom from glasses!
This post was written as a result of a collaboration with our blog and Kugler Vision. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine!
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