Advances in Laser Vision Correction Procedures

I’ve been wearing prescription glasses since I was a child, and when laser eye surgery came around I was sceptical to say the least. A friend of mine had the surgery when it first came about and complained of dry eyes and blurry night vision. I figured before I gave it any consideration, I’d give the medical community a few years to work out the bugs. 

LASIK

LASIK which is the most common type of laser eye surgery stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Although it’s not invasive, removing tissue from the cornea to change its shape sounds invasive to me. Although I am still a little afraid, the advances in procedure I’ve been reading about have gotten me to re-consider it.

New advances in the last two decades have introduced the new and improved LASIK, known as LasikXtra which is said to dramatically reduce the risk of infection, regression, and eptheial ingrowth. Opthalmic surgeon Bobby Qureshi says it is “the biggest thing in laser eye surgery in the last 20 years”. The treatment cross-links corneal fibres making them thicker and more resilient. 

If you’re like me and considering having the surgery, and you have a health insurance plan you might be surprised to find that you have coverage for the laser eye surgery. If you don’t have health insurance but are considering having the surgery check into a plan that offers coverage to help lessen the cost.

Dealing with and Affording a Mental Illness Diagnosis

My son is twenty years old and suffers from depression. For the longest time he has been in a very dark place, not willing to accept that he could possibly be suffering from a mental illness. What are his options for treatment? Well for starters, he works in a local fast food chain, earning minimum wages, and doesn’t have health insurance coverage to be able to seek the services of a psychiatrist of his choosing. He doesn’t have a family doctor so he either has to go a hospital emergency room or visit the local walk-in clinic in order to get a referral slip to see a psychiatrist, which could take months due to the long wait lists. No matter what, it will be a long time before he sees a doctor and receives treatment.

Statistics Canada released a study in September, 2014 that revealed the following data with regard to young people with mental illnesses.

• Since 2002 there has been an increase of about 10% of Canadians aged 15 and older who are experiencing a mental health issue.
• The total number of 12 to 19 year olds in Canada who are at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.

The study also revealed how inaccessible it is in Canada to get psychiatric and/or psychological treatment. Only 1 out of 5 children needing mental health services receives them. 

A diagnosis entails both psychiatric and psychological assessments. Psychiatric services are covered under the public health insurance program, but psychological services are not, unless the doctor works from a hospital. That is, services from a psychologist practicing in a private office, outside the hospital, are not covered by the public health insurance program; therefore, patients must pay out-of-pocket.  However; with a private health insurance plan, a patient can afford counselling sessions as well as any prescribed medications.

When I think of the troubling issues my son is facing, I also think about the many others who, like him, will not have easy access to treatment. While Canada’s health care system has many advantages, there are areas where it falls short, and too many young people pay the price. 

A good healthinsurance plan can go a long way in allowing you treatment options and helping with the costs of prescribed medications should you need them.