Kamra Inlay Cost
If you’re older than 45 and need glasses or bifocals to see clearly up close, then Kamra™ inlay may be able to provide the relief you’re looking for.
Approved by the FDA, the Kamra™ inlay is an opaque, rigid circular micro-disc, with a small opening in the center, which is designed work similar to a camera’s aperture, allowing any focused light to move through. With this technology by regulating the focused light as it reaches the retina and blocking out the unfocused light, the inlay is able to allow for a range of enhanced vision at near, far and in between distances.
The procedure, as per the company, is similar to the popular LASIK procedure, with minimal downtime and discomfort.
How much does the Kamra™ inlay cost?
The costs of the Kamra™ inlay procedure greatly depends on your geographical region, the doctor you choose, the complexity of the case, and if you’re considering LASIK with the procedure. From our research, the costs of the Kamra™ inlay procedure and LASIK, which is often combined, can range anywhere from $6,500 to $8,500 without any sort of insurance coverage. The average cost of just the Kamra™ inlay is about half this or close to $4,000. Seeing this is a new procedure, it will cost more than comparable surgical and non-surgical options.
In general, insurance will not cover the insurance, but it doesn’t hurt to check as there are thousands of policies, with some able to make an exception.
ClearSightLASIK, as per its website, says the procedure can range anywhere from $6,998 to $7,998, with payment options available for as little as $139 a month. The fee will include the preoperating diagnostic examination, the inlay correction procedure, LASIK, all medication, post-operative examinations for two years as needed and a lifetime commitment that will include any laser touch-ups.
The average price reported by RealSelf.com is $3,950, with half of the reviewers, albeit a small selection, saying it was worth it.
Gooalphaeon.com states the average corneal inlay cost, such as the Kamra™ inlay, can cost $4,500.
The Kamra™ inlay procedure
The procedure, from beginning to end, will take close to 20 minutes to perform, and the technique being used will depend on if you’re having LASIK alongside with this procedure. You will remain awake for the medication and will receive eye number drops as well as medication to help you relax and remain comfortable.
For those who want treatment for presbyopia only, a small opening is formed with a femtosecond laser, the same kind of laser that’s used during LASIK, on your cornea’s surface on the face of the pupil. Once the tiny opening is formed, the inlay is added, and over time, the cornea will naturally heal around, usually taking up to 30 days to see full results. The company states that almost all patients can continue regular activities within 48 hours. For those who are being treated for both distance and close up vision, then the Kamra™ inlay procedure can be combined with LASIK to perfect your vision. Both of these treatments are very comparable and can often be done the same day.
During the entire procedure, you will lie on your back and focus on the light located above your eye. For some, they report slight pressure during the procedure but very little pain.
Tips to know
The company notes a good candidate for the inlays are for those who are 45-60 years old and experience the onset of presbyopia, in good health and presently use glasses for reading or bifocals.
Within 48 hours, you should be able to resume normal activities, including going back to work, but if you combined the Kamra™ inlay procedure and LASIK, then the recovery period may be slightly longer — about five to six days. You will, however, notice some fluctuations over the next six months as your brain adapts to the new vision. As you will receive medication to help you relax, your doctor will ask you to bring in a family member or friend to help drive you home.
To enhance your recovery, you will want to avoid using your reading glasses, take your medications as prescribed and keep attending your follow-up appointments.
One major benefits of the inlays are that they can be removed, which means you can restore your vision to its pre-Kamra™ state.
Potential Kamra inlay side effects can include dry eye, glare, haloes, just like LASIK, but other side effects may persist as well. Be sure to talk with your doctor before the procedure to understand your risks.
Pilonidal Cyst Surgery Cost
Pilonidal cyst surgery is a surgical procedure is designed to remove the pilonidal cyst, a benign cyst filled with debris and hair, located close to the tailbone in the upper part of the buttocks.
In the case of an infection, the cyst can become quite painful, often leading to a surgical option.
How much does pilonidal cyst surgery cost?
The average cost of pilonidal cyst surgery will depend on your geographical region, the type of procedure, your surgeon, the facility, the billing inclusions and your health insurance coverage. For a straightforward incision and drainage of a smaller-than-average cyst, without any complications, the costs can range from $1,200 to $3,200 without any health insurance coverage. In some cases, however, if the cyst has grown so much it requires surgery at a local hospital, then the costs can surpass the $10,000+ range.
The Pilonidal Support Alliance has a very informative website, explaining the costs, treatment options and any questions you may have in regards to the surgery. According to the cost page, a lancing can cost anywhere from $100 to $400, whereas a flap surgery, being the most expensive option, could cost $10,000+
According to MDSave.com, an online portal which connects you with doctors who list their prices, the MDSave national average, at the time of this publishing, was $1,594, with the national average being reported at $2,772.
One user on Reddit.com shared his costs, stating he paid $700 after his insurance for the surgery and two follow-up visits.
Via Yahoo! Answers, a mother noted she received a $12,000 bill after her child needed surgery in an outpatient center after his cyst grew too large. She recommended that if it was small enough and it’s bothering you now, you will want to have it done at a local doctor’s office to save on the costs.
Additional costs to consider
Tests – Prior to the procedure, routine tests will be required such as a routine blood/urine analysis, chest x-ray and sigmoidoscopy to confirm the surgical procedure and/or if you’re a healthy enough candidate.
Surgeon’s fee – The estimates mentioned above may or may not include the surgeon’s fee, depending on the billing policy. To know, for certain, if the surgeon’s fee is included, be sure to ask the facility ahead of time to be prepared to budget this additional expense. Depending on the surgeon fees, it will greatly depend on the time of surgery you’re having.
Anesthesiologist fee – The anesthesiologist fee, just like the surgeon’s fee, is often a separate charge, but it can be included as well, all again, depending on the billing policy. The anesthesiologist fee, in the end, will depend on the duration of your treatment, the type of anesthesia and the anesthesiologist you use. If it’s performed at a local doctor’s office, using a local anesthetic, then you probably do not need to worry about this charge; however, if performed at a hospital, then you will want to know if the additional charge will exist as these charges are often more than $800 for a typical surgery.
Facility – The surgery center, doctor’s office or hospital could be yet another additional expense you may have to budget for. Again, talk with the surgical center or hospital to know exactly what’s going to be included in the bill and which additional expenses you may have to budget for once you receive your bill in the future. A doctor’s office will always be your cheapest option, whereas a hospital, often required for a complex surgery, will be costlier.
The types of pilonidal cyst options
Lancing: During the lancing procedure, a small incision is created inside of the abscess, allowing the puss and debris inside to drain out of the cyst. When all of the liquid is removed, the cyst is covered with a sterile gauze to heal. According to Pilonidal.org, however, 85 percent of those who get their cysts drain often suffer this condition in the future as the cavity will fill up with puss again.
Marsupialization: This procedure requires a doctor to cut a portion of the skin covering the cyst in question. Then, the edges of the wound are sutured to the base of the wound, leaving the wound open, in the end, to heal naturally. Those who choose this type of procedure will often need a local recovery period in comparison to other removal options, according to Mercola.com.
Incision and drainage: A common option, often performed inside of your local doctor’s office, the surgeon will remove the cyst via an incision, but the wound will not be closed, allowing to heal on its own, which can take up to two or more months. Another method option, involving an incision, will close the wound entirely.
Cleft lift: Developed by Dr. John Bascom, this procedure consists of creating a natal cleft where the cysts are known to grow, lowering the chance of debris and moisture buildup in the future.
Pilonidal cyst side effects
As with any surgeries, you need to know the risks associated with anesthesia use if put under a local anesthesia, including the risk of allergic reactions or the possibility of an overdoge.
After the procedure, there is the possibility of an infection or excessive bleeding if the wound is not taken care of properly.
While treatment options can get rid of the cyst, it does not mean it will not come back in the future. Discuss your chances of the cyst coming back in the future and what you can do personally to prevent it from coming back.
Ocumetics Bionic Lens Cost
The Ocumetics™ Technology Corporation, according to its official website, was established to help achieve the goal of creating an intraocular lens suited to restore your eyesight at all distances.
Using advanced materials and production techniques, the corporation, today, is currently in the processing stages of developing an advanced intraocular lens, known as the Bionic Lens™, that is able to restore clear vision at any and all distances, without the need of any contact lenses or eyeglasses and without any vision quality problems often associated with current accommodative and multifocal intraocular lens designs.
As of today, the Bionic Lens™ is a trademark applying to an array of patented intraocular lens designs, relating to intraocular lenses that have the capability to auto-regulate inside of the eye, helping it focus at a variety of ranges — distance, intermediate, near and very near.
The cost of the Ocumetics™ bionic lens
At the time of this publishing (2018), the company is currently in the clinical testing stages, according to BigThink.com, and if everything were to go according to plan, then the lens could be available in the next few years. The early adopters, according to the article, will have to pay about $3,200 per lens, excluding the costs of the surgery. As the lens will use a cataract surgery technique, with the average cost of this surgery being $3,000 per eye, our estimates, when the lens releases, could be in the $6,000 per eye range, including surgery, without any insurance coverage. This is just an estimate, and seeing the lens is not available just yet, we can update the costs posted by other patients in the future once the information is readily available. For now, this is an estimate based on guesstimates from other publications that were able to talk with the company.
Like any surgery, other factors can affect this cost, including the geographical region, your surgeon, the facility, the bill inclusions, your insurance and if any complications were to arise.
What is the Ocumetics™ bionic lens?
The Ocumetics™ bionic lens, in simple terms, is a dynamic lens which is able to replace your natural lens inside of your eye via one of the most common methods of surgery, cataract surgery. Once the lens is inserted via surgery, it can help restore your vision at all distances, without the need of any contact lenses or even eyeglasses, all without any visual quality problems. This lens, in a way, will be able to auto-regulate within the eye by connecting its muscles the help change the natural curvature of our lenses, which is responsible for helping it focus at different ranges. In addition, as this lens will respond with much less energy, about 1/100 of our natural lens energy, patients will be able to focus all day without the worry of any eye strain.
Aside from improving the quality of your vision, it could improve your eye vision beyond the accustomed 20/20, up to three times better. In essence, through this lens, you can see at further distances, in sharp detail, all with improvements well beyond our natural capabilities. As BigThink.com puts it, picture looking at a sliver inside of your finger and being able to see the cellular detail.
If that’s not enough, the lens can also be developed with additional components, allowing you to modify and/or upgrade it in the future. For example, you may be able to install a projection system inside of the lens, giving you the opportunity to project your phone screen to allow for a better focusing resolution.
The procedure
According to the Tech Times, the procedure will not require any anesthesia or an overnight stay in the hospital, with the average procedure taking about eight minutes to perform.
As mentioned, the procedure is similar to cataract surgery, where the lens is implanted into the eye by replacing the natural lens with the artificial lens. Placed using a saline solution-filled syringe in less than 10 seconds, the new lens, which is folded, folds over the eye as it’s inserted.
Tips to know
This lens will not be able to help cloudy corneas, color-blindness, severe macular degeneration, severe genetic retinal diseases or a torn/damaged optic nerve.
BrightOcular Surgery Cost
BrightOcular, according to the company, is an artificial iris implant, developed in the United States, created from a thin, flexible, biocompatible, medical-grade silicone designed to alter your iris color for either cosmetic or for medical reasons such as to help treat or alleviate heterochromia, ocular albinism or other iris-related abnormalities by protecting the eyes from the bright sunlight rays.
Since your iris determines your eye color, often due to two types of pigments, melanin and lipofuscin, this artificial implant, when inserted into the eye, can permanently change to the color of your choice.
As the procedure isn’t FDA approved and highly avoided by United States surgeons, most, who are interested, often have to resort overseas to countries, such as Tunisia, India, Mexico, Lebanon, and Jordan, to have the procedure done.
How much does BrightOcular cost?
The cost of the BrightOcular procedure will depend on the country you have the procedure, the facility, what’s included in the bill and the surgeon you choose. From our research from those who did have the procedure done, the costs seemed to range anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000. Being a cosmetic procedure and not FDA approved, your health insurance will not cover it, so it’s best to be prepared to pay out of pocket. As most of the procedures will be performed overseas, you will want to factor in any travel expenses as well.
According to this CBS Local article, one patient traveled overseas to India to have the procedure done for $5,000 to $7,000.
On this VH1 article, the journalist, Christopher Rosa, emailed the company and received a response stating the procedure costs about $5,000 to $7,000.
How does the BrightOcular procedure work?
The procedure is commonly done in an ambulatory environment and will take about 15 minutes per eye, almost always done under a topical anesthesia. As the implant is flexible, it’s able to be folded and inserted into the eye via a peripheral corneal surgical incision about 2.8 millimeters long, according to the website. No sutures are needed for the incisions, and even though it is not FDA approved at the time of this publishing, the company claims the implantation technique has been performed worldwide for years by using FDA-approved techniques.
During the procedure, the surgeon unfolds the prosthetic iris, the color of your choice, and spread atop of the natural iris.
After the procedure, you will need someone to take home and it’s important to follow the doctor’s post-operative instructions such as avoiding any heavy lifting, bending and rubbing your eyes. After recovery, you can resume your normal activities but will be asked to refrain from swimming for the next 90 days after the surgery completes.
Color choices available
The company offers a variety of color options, including sea green, ice gray, baby blue, olive green, amber, light brown, with multiple colors coming “soon” in the future.
Tips to know
While the color will be permanent, the procedure can easily be reversed by removing the implant from your eyes.
Risks, according to the company, include chronic uveitis, deformed pupil/s, endothelial cell loss, ocular hypertension and the alteration of the cornea. One eye surgery expert on The Sun noted the procedure can carry potential risks related to the foreign material sitting next to the delicate inner cells of the cornea, which could cause long-term damages such as vision loss. However, do keep in mind that as this procedure is relatively new, long-term side effects are not yet known.
All patients are not considered a candidate for the procedure as a good doctor will want to measure your eyes and perform up to nine tests to determine if you are, indeed, a candidate. Tests include a visual acuity and refraction test; anterior chamber depth of the eye test; intraocular pressure test; white to white corneal diameter test; gonioscopy of anterior chamber angle test; peripheral retinal examination and axial length of the eye test; and endothelium cell count
The iris is made of a medical grade silicone and colorants which have been tested and USP VI certified. The materials used, as per the company’s FAQ, have been used in implantable devices by the FDA.
The recovery period is different, based on the patient’s circumstances, but for most, it will be normal to feel mild discomfort, such as redness in the eyes and/or blurred vision, for the following two weeks after the surgery completes. Some patients may also feel tearing from the eyes and/or more sensitivity to the light. Generally, after about 30 days, you will feel normal again, being able to resume your daily activities. For prescriptions, patents are often prescribed eye drops to be used for six to eight weeks.
You can view BrightOcular before and after pictures on the official website.
Prevnar 13 Cost
Prevnar 13, one of Pfizer’s biggest product and best-selling vaccine, is a vaccination used to help prevent pneumococcus bacterial infections, an infection which can cause serious infections such as meningitis, pneumonia and/or blood infections.
Commonly known to lower your chances of getting pneumonia, even if you were to get it after the vaccination, the symptoms will be much milder and shorter.
While the vaccine cannot treat an infection and will not be guaranteed to cause the infection, the vaccine is highly recommended for infants, young children, adults older than 65 years old and adults with certain medical conditions.
How much does Prevnar 13 cost?
The cost of the Prevnar 13 vaccination will often depend on where you receive it, your geographical location and your health insurance policy. Based on our research, without any insurance coverage, the average vaccination can cost about $180 to $230 per dosage, plus an office examination fee if you were to have the vaccination inside your local doctor’s office. However, as for local pharmacies, such as CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Costco, to name a few, you can bypass this fee and strictly pay for the vaccination, often around that $180 to $230 range. The price, according to the CDC, averages $169 per dose, up from $108 in 2010.
As for Medicare and private insurance coverage, Pfizer for Professionals states that Prevnar 13® is covered by the Medicare Part B fee-for-service (FFS) benefit for adults aged 65 and older with $0 in out-of-pocket costs and goes onto to say Medicare will cover the administration of two different pneumococcal vaccines for adults aged 65 and older as long as you are considered pneumococcal vaccine naive or were previously vaccinated with Pneumovax® 23 at least one year prior. To know for certain if your health insurance would cover it, refer to this link to offer the CPT or ICD-10 code to your insurance coverage to know your limitations and what you will be responsible for.
How to save on Prevnar 13
Get assistance from Pfizer: Pfizer, the official manufacturer of the drug, offers the program, Pfizer RxPathways, a program which was designed to help patients receive the vaccination at little or no cost if you meet certain guidelines. Even if you have Medicare or a private insurance policy, the company still encourages you to apply as you may still be eligible.
Download a free prescription discount card coupon: There are multiple pharmacy discounted card websites that allow you to save money by printing a free coupon. For example, the website mentioned earlier, GoodRX.com, they offered a coupon for $183 at multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and Walmart, to name a few. To use this coupon, all you have to do is click the button next to the pharmacy you want to use, print the coupon and simply display it as you would your insurance card at your pharmacy to save.
Prevnar 13 side effects
Side effects can include allergic reactions, breathing problems, a fast heartbeat, fever, seizure, unusual bleeding, muscle weakness, aches, diarrhea, headaches, a loss of appetite and/or pain at the injection site. This is not a full list of side effects; to view the full list, you can do so here via the official FDA website. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk with a medical professional immediately for assistance.
Tips to know
According to the Prevnar 13 label, children ages six weeks to five years will get four doses at two, four, six and 12 to 15 months, whereas others will receive a single dosage.
Meningitis Vaccine Cost
The meningococcal meningitis vaccination protects us from meningitis, a disease which is caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spine. While most people do eventually recover, it can cause brain damage, learning disabilities and/or even hearing loss in some circumstances.
A vaccination will be the most protective way to protect yourself from any type of meningitis.
How much does the meningitis vaccine cost?
The cost of the meningitis vaccine depends on your health insurance coverage, which vaccine you need, where you get the shot and your geographical location. For those who do not have insurance, the entire vaccination, including the vaccination, should cost around $125 to $185 per dosage. In some cases, you can receive both vaccinations, the meningococcal conjugate and serogroup B, preferably in both arms at the same time.
However, as for health insurance, most plans will cover a set of preventative services based on the CDC recommendation schedule, with no out-of-pocket expenses. Be sure to talk with your health insurance policy to know if you’re covered.
A booster shot, in the future, will be recommended about five years after the first vaccination and then every five years thereafter if vaccinated after age 7. If vaccinated between the ages of two and seven, then the first booster is often recommended three years after the first vaccine and then every five years after.
According to the official Walgreens pricing sheet at their walk-in clinics, for example, the cost for the Meningococcal vaccination is about $134 per dosage, whereas the Meningitis B series vaccination, designed for those 10 to 25 years old, can cost $175 per dosage. These are the prices for those who do not have a health insurance policy.
| Location | Average Reported Cost |
|---|---|
| Health Department | $115 |
| Walgreens | $134 to $175 |
| CVS | $159 |
| Walmart | $130 |
The New York Times notes a complete Bexsero series costs $320, while the competing vaccine for meningitis B, Trumenba, a Pfizer product, costs $345.
What is the meningitis vaccine?
According to the CDC, the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) can prevent the infection of the meningococcal disease, and the vaccine can protect close to 90 percent of those who get it. This vaccine is not indicated as a treatment method for meningococcal infections. The other meningitis vaccine, serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine, will protect against an additional bacterial strain that’s known to cause the disease.
Some meningococcal vaccines are designed to protect again four serogroups: A, C, W and Y, while others can help protect one serogroup: B. As of this publishing, there is not one vaccine that is able to protect against all common serogroups.
Who should receive the meningitis vaccine?
Any college students, especially incoming freshmen, who live on campus inside dorm rooms.
All adolescents ages 11 to 12, with a booster at 16
All military personnel
Any travelers who are traveling to an area known where the meningococcal disease is common
Anyone who is known to have a damaged or removed spleen
Anyone with an immune system disorder
Those who feel they were exposed to meningitis
Who should not get the vaccine?
Anyone who is pregnant, unless, in rare cases, your doctor feels it’s necessary
Anyone with a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccination component
Those who are severely ill at the time of consideration
Anyone who has had Guillain-Barre Syndrome in the past
How to save on the meningitis vaccine
Check out health departments and pharmacies: Consider bypassing your local doctor’s office to save on the office examination fee and instead, consider the local health department or even a local pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens or Walmart. These locations tend to be up to 40 percent cheaper than your doctor’s office. To be certain, though, check with your office over the phone, as well as the locations listed, to see what they charge and if they accept your insurance. Most places should be able to offer you an estimate over the phone.
Student health center: For students, college students who did not get vaccinated can often take advantage of student discounted vaccinations at their student health center. Check out your university’s health center website to see if you can find information.
Health insurance coverage: As mentioned above, talk with your health insurance company to see if the vaccination is covered and if so, where you can go to take advantage of the insurance discount. Oftentimes, as long as you’re in-network, you can either have the entire vaccination covered or you will be responsible for the co-pay.
Special vaccination days held by the city: Some cities often hold a vaccination clinic day, where all of the local residents can come on a special day to take advantage of many vaccinations, aside from the meningitis vaccine, for a low cost.
Meet income requirements for free vaccinations: Those who meet certain income restrictions and are uninsured may be able to receive vaccinations for free at authorized locations.
Meningitis vaccine side effects
Mild to moderate problems may occur redness or swelling at the site of administration and/or a fever, drowsiness and/or muscle aches.
Severe problems, albeit rare, can include a difficult time breathing, wheezing, hives, pale skin, dizziness and/or a fast heartbeat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects. A full list can be found here. If you experience any of these side effects, contact a medical professional immediately for help.
Tips to know
All children, around ages 11 to 12, should be vaccinated via a single dosage of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, as per the CDC. Since this protection will decrease over time, as mentioned above, a booster will be recommended at around 16 years old, where teenagers are at their highest risk of attracting the disease. While teenagers and younger adults can be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, the CDC does recommend you talk with your physician for more information to see if it’s necessary or not.
A lot of college campus will require proof of the meningococcal conjugate vaccination within the past five years before starting school.
The minimum time needed between the doses of meningococcal conjugate vaccine is eight weeks.
The CDC, according to its official website, has no preference as to which brand your child reecievs, whether its Menactra® or Menveo®.
Eye Color Changing Surgery Cost
As a relatively new surgery and is currently not FDA approved at the time of this publishing, eye color changing surgery, as the name implies, will change the color of your eyes via surgery.
Usually, unfolding a prosthetic iris and spreading it atop of the natural iris, a surgeon, if they feel you’re a candidate, can change your eye color permanently. Other procedures, which are relatively new and are not commonly found worldwide, will use a laser to take away the pigment inside of the eye to change the color.
Since most doctors in the United States will refuse to perform the surgery or advise against it, there’s a 99.9% chance you will need to go overseas to have the procedure performed.
The cost of eye color changing surgery
The cost of an eye color changing surgery can greatly depend on the surgeon you choose, the geographical region, the facility, the type of surgery and all of the inclusions in the bill as every facility will bill differently. Based on our research online, it appeared as if most people had to go to a foreign country, such as Brazil, to have the procedure performed, at a cost of about $4,500 to $7,500 without any health insurance. As this will always be considered a cosmetic procedure, do not plan on insurance covering it, but in some cases, some doctors may offer a discount if you were to pay in cash.
The procedure, as per VH1.com, can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 overseas.
Time.com talked about a company called Stroma Medical that offered a laser procedure which could turn brown eyes blue. Conducting multiple successful procedures, the costs would be about $5,000 for the procedure, according to the article.
How does the eye color changing surgery work?
According to this CBSLocal.com article, the eye color is often changed via a popular implant called Bright Ocular — an implant designed to be placed inside the eye in front of the iris. This implant, in essence, has an opening in the center which allows light to pass through, changing the color. The implant is made of a thin, flexible and biocompatible medical grade silicone which is designed to change the iris color, and aside from changing the color of the eye, the Bright Ocular company also notes it can treat or alleviate cases of heterochromia, ocular albinism, and other iris-related abnormalities by protecting the eye from the harmful sunlight UV rays. It can also cover iris defects such as coloboma, aniridia, severe iris atrophies and iridoschisis.
Common colors offered by Bright Ocular, for instance, includes sea green, ice gray, baby blue, olive green, amber and light brown. You can see photos of patients who took part in the surgery here.
During an implant type procedure, the doctor will create a small incision in the cornea and insert the silicone-based artificial iris, such as the Bright Ocular. Then, the doctor will unfold the artificial ris undenreath the cornea so that it is able to cover the natural iris. Typically, during the procedure, only a local anesthetic will be used.
Aside from the Bright Ocular procedure, laser procedures, also not FDA approved, can change the appearance by taking away pigment inside of the eyes. Since the underlying color of the iris is a pale gray-blue, most people will have melanocytes that are able to produce melanin, just like the skin. This melanin is what will create your eye’s color, whether it’s a brown or green, and to determine this color, it will all depend on your iris. With a laser, the melanocytes can essentially be destroyed, just like dark spots can be removed from the skin, essentially changing the colors of the eyes. Again, like the implants, the laser is relatively new and the long-term effects are not known.
Tips to know
As with any surgical procedures, risks do exist, including endothelial cell loss, chronic uveitis, deformed pupil, ocular hypertension and/or the alteration of the cornea. One doctor, according to the VH1 article mentioned above, noted the risks may not be seen until 10, 15 or even 20 years in the future as the risks are considered to be long-term. For example, glaucoma can develop over the years and will not be seen immediately after the procedure. Being a brand new procedure, most doctors do recommend you wait at least 10 to 15 years to see if any long-term risks do arise. There were reports from a YouTube user claiming he had to take the implants out four years later as it did cause damage to his one eye. To see a full list of potential side effect, refer to this medical study.
Not everyone is eligible for the procedure as your eye measurements will determine whether or not you’re a candidate for the procedure.
Surgery, being the riskiest option, isn’t the only way to change your eye color. Other methods, which are much safer, include using makeup to influence your eye color, colored contact lenses or even colored eye drops.
Iris implants, at the time of this publishing, are not approved by the FDA, so you will find many doctors in the United States will not offer it. In fact, as of 2014, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advised against this type of procedure.
Crizal Lenses Cost
Crizal®, a branded name of an anti-reflective coating applied to your optical lenses, are known to provide a smoother finish to the lens, which can help reduce glare and make it harder for dust and water to adhere to the surface.
Known as the industry standard for lens coating, created by Essilor, the world’s largest lens company, in comparison to other brands, Dr. Jeff Pinkerton notes Crizal® performs comparably to other anti-reflective coating brands.
The company recommends the coating for computer users, photographers, drivers, students, professionals, children and sports enthusiasts to name a few.
How much do Crizal® lens cost?
The cost of Crizal® lenses will depend on where you purchase them, which lenses you buy, the type of Crizal® coating and if you plan on using your vision insurance. The costs of Crizal® lenses will be added to the cost of the lenses, meaning you will have to pay an additional $100 to $200 more, on average, aside from your total lenses cost. If your lenses cost around $150 and a Crizal® coating cost another $150, then your total would be about $300. As you can see, a variety of factors need to be factored in, such as the lenses you are prescribed, the optometrist you choose and again, the type of Crizal® coating you choose. From most of the quotes we read online, the coating alone will cost about $85 to $150~, not factoring in the lens, frames and eye exam.
According to this CBetterNow.com forum thread, forum members discussed the prices they had paid for the additional Crizal® coating. One member said the coating cost him an extra $154, while another said they paid $400 for Crizal® Prevencia progressives with an anti-glare coating, scratch resistant and purple tint.
This price list on rxframesnlenses.com, for example, notes that a Crizal Avance UV coating will cost about $82, while an Easy UV coating will cost about $68. Again, keep in mind this is a coating charge that is applied to your frame and lens charge.
Via another list on Eyeglasses.com, the costs of the Crizal coatings they offer, range from , depending on the type.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Crizal Prevencia™ | Blocks out harmful blue light while allowing the beneficial blue-turquoise light to pass through. |
| Crizal Avance™ | An enhanced scratch resistance lens that is also able to repel dust and water for clearer vision. |
| Crizal Alize UV® | Smudge resistance, keeping your lenses cleaner for longer than average. |
| Crizal Easy UV™ | As an entry-level product, it's easier to clean and will come with scratch resistance features. |
| Crizal Kids™ | Offers UV protection, designed specifically for kids. |
| Crizal Prevencia Kids™ | Protect overexposure from blue-violet light, often caused by digital devices. |
| Crizal SunShield™ | Introduced for sunglasses, providing a double-sided hardcoat and backside integrated multi-layer and anti-reflective coating stack. |
| Crizal Sapphire™ | Advanced UV, scratch and anti-reflective protections, featuring cleaning abilities that prevent fingerprints, water and smudge marks. |
The benefits of Crizal®
Blue-violet light protection: Some of the Crizal® products can block up to 20 percent of blue-violet light from reaching your eyes.
Glare reduction: Whether it’s a glare from night-time driving or while playing on your tablet, Crizal® lenses can help alleviate this concern for those who use digital devices and/or drive at night more often than most.
Repels dust: All Crizal® products are designed to reduce dirt, smudges and water overall, but the Avancé UV™ and Sapphire® 360° UV and Prevencia® brands can decrease dust buildup as an application of an anti-particulate layer is applied between the anti-reflective layers to give the lens an anti-static property.
Repels water: The top layer of some Crizal® products, specifically the Alizé UV™, Avancé UV™, Sapphire® 360° UV and Prevencia®, will allow the rain to roll right off the lens.
Resists smudges: The HSD process can repel smudges due to the high-density oleophobic molecules located on the lens.
UV protection: One benefit, as compared to other coatings, is the backside UV protection. This backside of other anti-glare lenses has been shown to allow UV light to reflect from the back and the sides, directly into the eye, increasing the UV exposure to the eye. All Crizal® products, according to the company, offers backside UV protection.
Tips to know
The warranty will vary among the professional you choose, so be sure to ask before your purchase to know how you’re protected. From what we did research, the average warranty seemed to be in the two-year range.
Contact Lens Exam Cost
A contact lens exam, separate from your comprehensive eye exam, will be required by your optometrist if you want a contact lens prescription.
Contact lens exam cost
The cost of a contact lens exam will primarily depend on where you have the exam, your vision insurance policy (if you have one), your geographical location and if any promotions are active. In comparison to the traditional eyeglasses exam, a contact lens exam will always cost more, about 20 to 30 percent more, due to the other diagnostic tests that help determine which lens are best for you. In the end, for just the contact lens exam and nothing else, be prepared to pay $40 to $125 without insurance. Do not forget that you will still need to budget for your prescription lenses and if any health issues were to arise.
As there are so many franchises and even retail chains, such as Walmart, that offer contact lens exams, we compiled the costs of each and included the prices in the table below.
| Where? | Price (for JUST the exam) |
|---|---|
| America's Best | $79 each or customers can join the Eyecare Club for $99, which includes 3 years of contact lens exams, up to 2 per year |
| Costco | $99~ (can vary depending on the location as they are independent) |
| JCPenney | $135~ |
| LensCrafters | $155~ for exam and fitting (this can vary depending on location) |
| Pearle Vision | $140~ |
| Target Optical | $95~ (varies on location) |
| Visionworks | $99~ (varies on promotion and location) |
| Walmart | $125~ (but this can vary depending on location as they are independent) |
What happens during a contact lens exam?
If you want contact lens, then aside from the eye exam, your optometrist will want to perform additional special tests to evaluate your eyes for contacts. According to VSP.com, a contact lens exam is much different as an eyeglass prescription will measure for lenses positioned approximately 12 millimeters away from your eye, whereas a contact lens will be measured for a lens that sits directly on the eye itself. If this prescription was either the wrong prescription or wrong fitting/size, then it could cause damage to your eyes.
First of all, your optometrist will want to measure your prescription from your current glasses, if you were to have them and convert them into a prescription. With this conversion, you will be asked to view an eye chart, while using your current prescription, to see how well your prescription is and based on this information, your prescription will be adjusted for a new prescription.
Next, your eye doctor will measure your eye surface and apply the contact lenses to help determine what size and type of contact lens will be best for you as contact lenses do come in various types and sizes. Depending on your situation, your doctor may also recommend a tear film evaluation to ensure you’re naturally producing enough tears to wear contacts comfortably. With these results, your eye doctor can then determine which contact lens prescription is the right fit for your eyes and allow you to choose between either a disposable contact, colored or extended wear contact, all of which can provide its own benefit. After your script is written, your eye doctor will provide a small trial to last you the next few days until your actual prescription comes in.
If you are new to contacts, then your optometrist will want to educate you as to how they work and what you can expect, as well as help you insert your contacts for the first time once your prescription is done and watch you do the same to make sure you’re doing it correctly. Most of the time, after the first few weeks, your optometrist will ask you to come in for a follow-up visit to see how they are performing and if you have any questions in regards to the process.
Tips to know
How long does it take to get contacts? In some cases, you can receive your contacts on the same day if the company has it in stock, which is quite common; however, for those that are not in stock, then it could take up to 10 days to receive your supply.
You cannot legally buy contacts lenses in the United States without a valid prescription as the FDA categorizes contact lenses as a prescription medical device, which means they are not to be sold over the counter without a prescription. As long as your prescription is less than 12 months old, then you will be able to purchase your contacts online legally.
Malarone Cost
Malarone, an antimalarial agent, is used to help prevent and treat malaria infections, a red blood cell infection that is transmitted by a mosquito bite.
As the costlier option, there is a generic version of Malarone on the market, ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL (a combination two of the medicines), at a fraction of the cost.
How much does Malarone cost?
The cost of Malarone will depend on a few factors, including the type you’re prescribed (brand or generic), the dosage, where your medication is prescribed and the quantity. From our researching comparing the top pharmacies — CVS, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Costco — the average price was $7.15 per Malarone tablet or closer to $0.20 per ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL tablet.
| Type/Dosage | Average Price |
|---|---|
| ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL 250mg/100mg | - 30 tablets: $150 - 50 tablets: $228 - 100 tablets: $425 |
| Malarone 250mg/100mg | - 30 tablets: $215 - 50 tablets: $375 - 100 tablets: $725 |
As for insurance, your results will greatly vary, but for most, many did claim Medicare and many private insurance companies will cover Malarone, while the same can be said about the generic version, ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL. On this TripAdvisor.com forum thread, for instance, travelers discussed insurance coverage for Malarone, with many the responses claiming their insurance would not cover Malarone but would cover other travel-related immunizations and medication. To be certain, check with your health insurance company and/or pharmacy for more information as to what you should be responsible for, but do not be surprised if you’re denied.
Malarone usage
To make sure this medication is as effective as possible, be sure to take it at the same time every day.
Take this medicine with either a milky-like drink or with food as this will help your body absorb the maximum amount of medicine.
There are reports of those vomiting in less than an hour after taking the medication, and if this were the case, it is recommended you take the entire dosage once again until your stomach can handle it.
If your child has a hard time swallowing, the medication can be crushed or mixed with a condensed milk before administered.
Dosages
The dosing will be different for all patients, and as with any prescription, be sure to closely follow your doctor’s orders to ensure it remains effective. For most, however, adults, who are using it for malaria prevention, will take 1 tablet starting at least 24 to 48 hours before the trip begins, once a day while in the malarial infested area and for seven days following the completion of the trip.
For treatment, an adult will take four adult strength tablets once a day for three days in a row until symptoms improve.
As for children, the dosage will vary depending on the child’s weight and the doctor’s recommendation.
Malarone side effects
Reported side effects may include allergic reactions, breathing problems, vision changes, fever, skin blistering, feeling weak, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain and/or trouble sleeping. This is not a complete list of all of the side effects. For more information in regards to the side effects you may experience, refer to this official FDA documentation. As with any side effects, talk with your medical doctor immediately if you experience any of the said side effects.
Tips to know
Always keep away from any moisture, heat and direct light and stored in a tight container away from children and pets.
GSK, the manufacturer of the drug, does offer an assistance program for those who do qualify. This supporting program can help decrease the costs of your prescription, again, if you qualify for it. For more information, refer to the application on the official website at GSKForYou.com.
