A common balloon catheter dilation of tear ducts at surgery center facility in South Carolina includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ophthalmologist visit provider fee
First-time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$114 |
Provider fee to probe nasal-tear duct
With balloon catheter dilation
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$298 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to probe nasal-tear duct
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$1,033 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$199 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
83 |
$164 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common balloon catheter dilation of tear ducts at outpatient hospital facility in South Carolina includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ophthalmologist visit provider fee
First-time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$114 |
Provider fee to probe nasal-tear duct
With balloon catheter dilation
Bilateral Procedure
|
1 |
$298 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to probe nasal-tear duct
level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$2,386 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$199 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
83 |
$164 |
Total average cash price |
|
Balloon dacryoplasty is a surgical procedure where a special tube is inserted into the tear duct and then carefully inflated. Balloon catheter dilation opens up tear ducts that were obstructed. Tear ducts can be obstructed in children due to a birth abnormality. In adults, tear ducts are commonly obstructed due to infection or injury.
Balloon dacryoplasty is used after several other treatment options have failed to work. Before getting a balloon catheter dilation of your tear duct, the doctor should try probing and irrigation to resolve the issue. You can compare the costs of these procedures before visiting your doctor’s office.
Tear duct surgery with balloon catheter dilation is not painful. Before the procedure, the doctor uses a numbing medication to prevent you from feeling any discomfort. However, the numbing medication may sting while it is being injected. For extremely young patients, the procedure may be done under general anesthesia.
Balloon dacryoplasty is a very quick procedure. The doctor inserts the special catheter into the blocked tear duct and inflates the balloon for 90 seconds at the point of obstruction. The balloon is then deflated, and the area examined. The doctor may re-inflate the balloon for another 60 seconds to improve results. You should be able to go home the same day as your balloon catheter dilation.
An ophthalmologist usually treats blocked tear ducts. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with specialized training to understand diseases that affect the eyes. They have four years of training after medical school, after completing a one-year medical internship. Ophthalmologists can continue to train for another two years in a subspecialty like pediatrics or glaucoma.
You should recover from a balloon dacryoplasty in a little over a week. After the procedure, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops as well as steroid eye drops to minimize inflammation. You need to use these for one week after your procedure. If you don’t have prescription insurance coverage, a customized health insurance plan can help cover the costs of your medications.
Since balloon catheter dilation is minimally invasive, there is usually little pain after the procedure. You may have some minor swelling, but this should subside in a few days.
You should be able to see normally after a balloon dacryoplasty. The first few days after the procedure, your vision may still be affected as the excess tears in your lacrimal sack slowly drain off. Once this has emptied, your vision should return to normal. Your doctor will continue to monitor you for about six months after the procedure to make sure the tear duct stays open.
Your tear duct may become re-blocked after a balloon dacryoplasty. Most patients have long-term success following the procedure. However, up to 30% of patients may have a recurrence of their blocked tear duct. In cases where balloon dacryoplasty has failed, your doctor can recommend a different surgical procedure called a dacryocystorhinostomy.
About the balloon catheter dilation of tear ducts Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
