A message from Dr. Bezek:
Welcome and thank you for placing your trust in our team here at the Laurel Eye Clinic. We look forward to caring for you! The primary focus of our practice is treating complex eye disease and performing surgery if and when it is needed. Our goal is to provide you the best care possible by great skill, communication and compassion.
To meet this goal, we embrace a team approach to your care. Our administrative, technical, optometric and ophthalmic clinical teams are specifically trained to provide support before, during and after your surgery. Therefore, some or all of your care following surgery will be provided by the members of our clinical team and your referring doctor. However, I am always available if there are any specific questions or concerns.
In preparation for your visit please take a few minutes to review the enclosed information and complete the questionnaire prior to coming in for your appointment. We have worked to develop a set of educational videos that I am requesting you watch BEFORE your appointment as well. These videos will educate you on the options you have that we will review together and can be accessed by any of the methods below.
We want you to be fully informed before you make any decisions regarding your cataract surgery. Once you have watched the videos, please plan to bring any questions you may have with you on the day of your appointment.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Joel Bezek, MD
Things to know:
Please remember this is an evaluation visit. You will not be having your surgery this day.
- Please fill out all enclosed paperwork and bring with you to your appointment.
- Please bring a driver with you, as we will be dilating your eyes. Sunglasses will lessen your sensitivity to light while your eyes are dilated.
- Please bring your current glasses to your appointment with you, even if you have not been wearing them regularly. If you do not bring your glasses with you, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
- Patients who require assistance or are unable to walk on their own, must have a support person available for the entire visit.
- Expect to be here 2 to 2 ½ hours.
- Bring a complete and updated eye drop and medication list. If you are uncertain, bring your bottles with labels.
- Bring your insurance cards. If your insurance requires a copay and/or referral from your family doctor, be sure to bring those with you.
- If you are a contact lens wearer and have your evaluation scheduled in our Brookville, Grove City or Seneca office – you must be out of soft contacts 7 days prior to your visit and 14 days for hard contact lens wearers to have testing performed.
- Bring your calendar of appointments along to be prepared to schedule a date for surgery.
- If you are scheduled for surgery at the Laurel Laser & Surgery Center, a kit containing supplies you will need following surgery will be provided to you for $25. Please be prepared to make payment as your insurance does not cover the cost of the kit.
- Regardless of the office in which your initial evaluation is scheduled, cataract surgery is generally performed in our Ambulatory Surgery Center located in Brookville. Please plan appropriately for your transportation needs on the day of surgery. Exceptions may apply depending upon underlying medical conditions and/or your insurance requirements. Those exceptions will be discussed with you if appropriate.
Artificial Tears:
Due to advancements in technology, cataract surgery is considered to be one of the safest and most successful surgeries in the United States today. Our surgeons offer the full range of options to you, from the most traditional surgery, to the most advanced options. Our goal is to customize your procedure to your wishes and unique lifestyle needs.
During your visit, we will take very precise measurements of your eye. This is why we ask contact lens wearers to not wear them for at least 7 to 10 days prior to your evaluation. This helps with the accuracy of the measurements.
Based on these measurements, your surgeon will explain which options might fit your needs.
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PURCHASE AND USE
PRESERVATIVE FREE ARTIFICIAL TEARS (see picture below of vials) EVERY 2-3 HOURS WHILE YOU’RE AWAKE FOR TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT. ADMINISTRATION OF THESE DROPS ARE VITAL FOR ACCURATE EYE MEASUREMENTS TO BE OBTAINED AND MAY ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR A RETURN VISIT FOR ADDITIONAL TESTING.
Please note that generic artificial tears with preservatives may cause increased dryness.
What are my options for Cataract Surgery at Laurel Eye Clinic?
** Please note that if you have not watched the series of educational videos yet, some of this information may be confusing. We suggest watching the videos before proceeding**
Deluxe Option (Multifocal and Accommodative Lens Implants)
$3,200 out of pocket cost per eye plus copays, co-insurance & deductible if applicable.
- Upgraded multifocal and extended vision lens implants are designed to provide a broader range of vision at both distance and near
- Deluxe package lenses can greatly decrease your dependence upon eyeglasses
- Several different lens options are available based upon your needs
- If necessary, additional vision correcting services are included with this package, for example laser vision enhancement, following your primary implant procedure
Enhanced/Toric Option
$2,000 out of pocket cost per eye plus copays, co-insurance &, deductible if applicable
- Upgraded “Toric” lens implants are customized to correct mild to severe astigmatism
- Good option to achieve good distance vision while needing eyeglasses for close work
Traditional Option
Procedure billed to insurance minus copays, co-insurance, & deductibles
- Monofocal lens with a single fixed focus
- Eyeglasses will likely still be needed for most activities. Dependence may lessen, but not be eliminated completely
Surgical Costs
- Traditional cataract surgery and anesthesia is a medical procedure that is billable to your medical insurance, minus any copays, co-insurance, or deductibles that may apply.
- Additional out of pocket costs may be incurred if an enhanced or deluxe upgraded lens package is purchased.
- Patients who are scheduled for traditional cataract surgery will also be responsible for purchasing a supply kit for $25 that will be used before and after surgery.
The Laurel Laser & Surgery Center Advantage
At the Laurel Laser & Surgery Centers, patients can have a cataract surgery without the hassles and higher cost of a hospital admission. Our Lifestyle Lens Options are also available to you when having surgery in the Laurel Laser & Surgery Center.
Dr. Bezek, along with his highly skilled staff, will assist you in determining which lifestyle option is best suited for you.
Financing options are available through Care Credit. Click HERE to learn more!
Approximately two weeks prior to your evaluation appointment, you will receive a text message or email containing a link to the VISUAL FUNCTION QUESTIONNAIRE. This is an insurance requirement and needs to be completed prior to your arrival at our office.
If you have any questions on any of the material above, please contact us at (814) 849-8344.