This
time of year presents opportunities for people considering LASIK to take
advantage of some potential tax advantages to make LASIK readily
affordable. “For anyone who wears
glasses or contact lenses, LASIK offers the possibility of seeing clearly at
distance without the hassle and dependence,” noted Jerette Lerner, Director of
Surgery Programs at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in Westfield, New Jersey.
“Typically, patients who are hesitant about LASIK surgery tell me that they
either need to see some more long term results or they just can afford it at
this time,” shared Ms. Lerner.
Corneal
Specialist & LASIK Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. commented on long term LASIK
results, “I have been performing LASIK since the mid-1990s with excellent results. My
experiences and outcomes are consistent with the LASIK Quality of Life
Collaboration Project between the FDA, National Institutes of Health and the
Department of Defense and data from PROWL studies
reported by the FDA,
in that with thorough screening and preoperative testing, careful patient
selection and realistic patient expectations, in the hands of experienced
surgeons there is little negative effect and LASIK is safe, effective,
predictable and beneficial over long
time horizons.”
“For those thinking
about LASIK the decision is often about how to make it affordable and tax time
can offer some opportunities,” explained Ms. Lerner. Ms. Lerner offered the
following information:
Take Advantage of LASIK Tax
Deductions
While each situation is different, in
general, depending on your personal income and how much you have incurred in
out of pocket medical expenses-including deductibles and co-pays, it is quite
possible that LASIK eye surgery might be a deductible medical expense. “Anyone
considering LASIK should check with their tax advisor, preparer or C.P.A. to
see how they might be able to take a LASIK tax deduction.
Take Advantage of Using Tax
Refunds for LASIK
If you think you might be eligible for a tax refund or
already know that you are getting a tax refund and want to consider using it to
pay for LASIK, there are some simple steps to take. First, after filing your
tax return it generally takes the U.S. Department of Treasury about three weeks
or so to process your return and send you a refund check. This is a good time
to schedule your complimentary consultation with a LASIK surgeon to find out if
LASIK is the best vision correction option for your eyes and lifestyle. At this
consultation you and your surgeon can determine if, how and when to proceed to
schedule your LASIK surgery.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about
whether they are a candidate for LASIK, please call The
Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule a Free Evaluation.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue,
Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059
and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout
central and northern New Jersey.
