We often wonder if all lazy eyes are the same. But actually, there are two types of lazy eye conditions that we see around but they can be two completely different things, or at least their cause but they can sometimes be connected; the Amblyopia and the Strabismus.

The first is caused by a problem with the brain and eye coordination, whereby the brain often neglects the signals being sent by the eye that has an issue. It can be caused by the decreased vision in one eye or it can be the other way around, in which the eye becomes misaligned first, eventually becoming impaired in the process.

On the other hand, the strabismus is your typical “crossed-eyes” which is typically present at birth but could also be a result of some conditions or trauma. And since we mentioned that misaligned eye can cause visual impairment, the same applies to this condition.

Having these conditions can be depressing not only in terms of the difficulties and limitations they bring to a person but also the social stigma that comes with it. With all the teasing and bullying especially in schools, these can be very traumatic especially for children. In adults, how painful it is to be the subject of different memes and to be affected by innocent emojis, not to mention the loss of self-esteem.

Worry no more as it is not yet the end of the world. Your condition can still be treated depending on your age. Children can be treated through natural method so long as the condition is addressed as soon as possible. Adult people tend to be less fortunate on this occasion as they may need the surgery to correct these problems.

Average Cost of Lazy Eye Surgery

How much does lazy eye surgery cost?

According to HowMuchIsIt.org, the strabismus surgery cost anywhere between $7,000 up to more than $20,000 for patients without insurance, depending on the doctor’s rate, the hospital where the procedure was performed, the severity of the condition, among other factors.

The average lazy eye surgery cost is $8,000 according to RealSelf.com, with the cost ranging between $7,000 and $9,000 based on the reports of its members.

If surgery would not be recommended, the ophthalmologist may just require the patient to undergo an eye exam and try to correct the eye issue with the use of eyeglasses and through monitoring. This treatment would only cost about $750 without insurance. Vision therapy, on the other hand, ranges from $2,000 to $3,000.

What are Included

The inclusions in the cost of the eye treatment depend on what is recommended to the patient. The cost of treatment by eyeglasses and monitoring includes the fee for the eye examination and the price of the eyeglasses.

The vision therapy includes the therapy sessions and may also include the supervision of an optometrist. The therapy would include training the eyes during certain activities using different tools in order to function properly.

The two kinds of approaches above are typically recommended for children whose conditions are still perceived to be reversible through the natural method.

In worst case scenarios, surgery would be the last option. The strabismus or amblyopia surgery price would include the facility fee, the surgeon’s professional fees, and post-operation care. This type of surgery is just an outpatient procedure and usually last for one and a half to 2 hours, unless other unforeseen complications set in.

Additional Costs

Regardless of the treatment plan, a follow-up check-up is usually required especially if monitoring would be critical in the success of the treatment. During these visits, the eye doctor checks for progress and would recommend further treatment if he or she feels that it is necessary. These visits typically cost $75 to $200 per appointment.

After-surgery care and medications may also be required like numbing medications and the use of goggles to protect the eyes while they heal. 

In cases where the doctor recommends either the eyeglasses or the surgery, vision therapy may still be recommended as an additional treatment to ensure the optimum result. Each session costs around $150 to $250 depending on the therapist, location, etc.

Anesthesia is mostly included in the surgery package. However, you may encounter some instances where it is billed separately. This can range between $700 up to $1,100. So be sure to clear this with the surgeon prior to the surgery to avoid being shocked once your bill comes out.

Shopping for Dog Boarding

For your convenience, Amino.com offers an ophthalmologist locator based on your location, your preferred level of the surgeon’s experience, your insurance provider, the doctor’s hospital affiliation, and even the doctor’s gender if you will.

Referral from your physician can also be considered but do not be limited to it. You can go out and check some other surgeons especially if you would work around a budget.

Factors Affecting Cost to Board a Dog

The wide disparity of the strabismus surgery cost is evident in the reported costs of the patients who have gone through the surgery while the facilities offering these services are mum on the pricing unless you come up knocking at their door and inquire. Otherwise, you would not see any price list on the Internet and you might just keep on guessing.

While you may use this article as a starting point in your budgeting, it is important that you consider the following factors as the prices evolve depending on the circumstances. Here are what you should consider in choosing the right health care:

• The surgeon – the professional fees always vary depending on the level of expertise of the doctor and how well-known he is in the field
• Location – you may find the costs of the surgery of two different locations different, even if they are just a few miles apart. That is because the factors cost of living and cost of doing business may play a role especially when the other location is more economically prosperous than the other.
• Severity of the condition – the level of the difficulty in correcting the eye issue is also expected to affect the cost of amblyopia surgery price because it may take the surgeon longer to work on the patient’s eye and could also mean that additional anesthesia may be administered depending on how long the surgeon estimates the surgery to last.
• The facility – the clinic or hospital where the procedure is to be performed also has an effect on the cost so it is wise to inquire with different clinics first to compare their prices.
• Insurance – most insurance companies cover this type of surgery depending on your plan, which may include co-pays and deductibles. Also, be sure to get the services from the facility and the doctor that are within the network of your insurance company to save on your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Cash payments – some facilities offer discounts for the uninsured cash-paying patients.