Cost of LASIK Eye Surgery

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The cost of laser eye surgery can vary widely depending on the area of the country in which LASIK is performed, the level of experience a surgeon possesses, the technology used during the surgery, and the degree of your refractive error. Your LASIK eye surgery price can range anywhere from $499 per eye to $2,500 per eye. However, it is important to remember that you should not base your choice of a LASIK surgeon solely on the cost of LASIK eye surgery; a less skilled ophthalmologist may charge a lower LASIK eye surgery price, but he or she may not have the same experience, training, or precise equipment as a more expensive doctor.

Cost of LASIK by Region

Many patients are curious if the cost of LASIK varies by region, and to some extent it does. Patients will encounter a higher LASIK eye surgery price in larger or more metropolitan cities, where doctors are trying to stay ahead of their competition by utilizing the latest laser technology. However, despite these influences, the average price of LASIK eye surgery in the United States remains relatively consistent from region to region.

LASIK Cost Breakdown

The cost of LASIK eye surgery may or may not include any of the following:

• Royalties owed to laser manufacturers.
• Purchase and maintenance of surgical and technical equipment.
• Surgical gowns, gloves, masks, and other sterile and disposable materials.
• Medications used before, during, and after surgery, including anesthesia, eye drops, and oral pain medications.
• Rent for surgical and office facilities.
• Surgical and office staff salaries.
• Advertising fees.
• Pre- and post-operative evaluations for up to one year after surgery.
• Post-surgical enhancement, if needed.

Since many of these LASIK eye surgery price quotes are variable according to office location, the technology employed, and other factors specific to each surgeon, it is important for prospective patients to fully research what they are paying for when they have LASIK laser eye surgery. Be sure to ask surgeons to clearly outline what is and what is not included in their prices for LASIK before agreeing to any payment plans or methods.

What Increases LASIK Price?

Another cause for variations in LASIK eye surgery price is the type of laser and technology used. LASIK with IntraLase®, which uses a laser rather than a microkeratome blade to create the corneal flap, costs between $250 and $500 more per eye. Custom LASIK, which employs wavefront technology to map the patient’s cornea, can cost between $200 and $500 more per eye. While many patients find these increased fees worthwhile, it is important for LASIK patients to fully research these new techniques to see if they are right for them. If you would like to learn more about financing options for laser eye surgery, please visit our LASIK Financing page

LASIK Eye Surgery Price Discounts – What You Should Know

Many experts recommend avoiding discount laser eye surgery centers with aggressive advertising campaigns. Such centers often employ bait-and-switch tactics by bringing customers in with the promise of a low LASIK eye surgery price, then tagging numerous added fees onto the final cost of the surgery. Some surgeons advertise a low price, but patients come to realize this price applies only to patients who need very minimal corrections, and more extensive corrections boost the cost of LASIK eye surgery. Furthermore, some surgeons may charge less for LASIK because they do not have the experience or technology that other, more expensive surgeons may possess.

On the other hand, paying a higher price does not necessarily guarantee that you will get the best LASIK surgeon. To ensure that you find a skilled LASIK surgeon to perform your surgery, spend ample time researching the credentials of the eye surgeons in your area.

Find a LASIK Surgeon

When researching the cost of LASIK eye surgery, it is important to ask surgeons what factors contribute to their LASIK eye surgery price. If you would like to contact highly qualified LASIK surgeons in your area, please use our DocShop directory.