KnowLASIK

The price of LASIK could be one of the most important factors preventing the majority of Americans from undergoing laser vision correction. While many people are still afraid of having lasik eye surgery because of concerns about side effects or complications, the majority of Americans would still choose to have the procedure if they thought it was affordable.

LASIK costs have decreased significantly since it was introduced in the late 1990’s. The prices probably reached their lowest point shortly after 9/11. Since then the price of LASIK has continued to rise. Today LASIK generally costs between $2000 and $3000 each eye. Occasionally, you will see prices for $299 or $399 per eye for LASIK eye surgery. Patients ask if these prices are realistic. Let us consider the price of LASIK.

Cost of LASIK Advertising

LASIK centers generally pay about $500 or more per eye in advertising costs. A single advertisement on the TV or radio will often cost more than $300. Advertisements in the newspaper are 3 to 4 times that cost. This generally results in media and advertising costs of more than $500 per eye. With that much alone, no center could afford to charge prices such as $299 per eye.

Cost of LASIK Equipment

LASIK equipment is not only expensive but it must be upgraded ever 2 years. The laser itself can cost $75,000 or more. Also required are wavefront measuring devices, topography machines, pachymeters (to measure the thickness of the cornea), and a half dozen other important and expensive machines. Some LASIK centers don’t upgrade these as often as needed or fail to perform regular (and expensive) maintenance. Other LASIK centers purchase cheaper equipment that might not be as accurate.

Overall, the cost of equipment is at least 30%-40% of the price of the surgery. The equipment is extremely important to the success of the surgery so saving money to receive an inferior surgery is generally not a good idea. Make certain that the LASIK center uses the most advanced equipment. Familiarize yourself with the names of the lasers and other LASIK equipment. Don’t allow a doctor to offer you a lower price by offering you inferior LASIK equipment.

Cost of Personnel

LASIK surgery centers depend on more than just the skills of the LASIK surgeon. Many of the measurements are performed by staff or supporting doctors or optometrists. A highly trained and effective staff can be expensive as well. If you feel like the staff is undertrained perhaps you should consider finding a new center. Errors can occur if the staff and the LASIK surgeon do not communicate effectively.

Cost of the LASIK Surgeon

An experienced LASIK surgeon values his/her skills more than an inexperienced LASIK surgeon. They have performed more surgeries and consider the cost of their experience to be fairly significant. Do not underestimate the value of a skilled LASIK surgeon. An experienced LASIK surgeon will have a significant number of patients and will generally not need to resort to low prices and special sales to attract LASIK patients.

LASIK Financing

Most LASIK centers can decrease the cost of LASIK be offering financing options. 18 months same as cash or low interest rates over 3 to 5 years are fairly common. If you would like LASIK be certain to ask about these. Remember that advertising $31/month for LASIK is ridiculously low. It would take 15 years to pay off LASIK at that rate. Set reasonable expectations. The total cost of LASIK will often be between $4000 and $6000.

Hidden Cost for LASIK

Occasionally a LASK center will try to hide costs such as follow-up visits or possibly later retreatments if necessary. Other LASIK centers will promise free retreatments for life if the patient returns to the same doctor every year for the rest of his life. Sometimes medication costs or other LASIK costs could be hidden. Be certain to clarify what your LASK fee actually covers. It will save you from being angry later in the process.

Is LASIK worth the cost?

LASIK can provide freedom from glasses and contact lenses with a minimal chance of side effects or complications. While no elective procedure is completely risk free the majority of LASIK patients are very satisfied (perhaps 95% or higher).

LASIK can be expensive. Don’t try to find a cheaper surgeon if you have found an experienced LASIK provider with good service, advanced equipment, and a skilled LASIK surgeon. Certainly don’t chase a LASIK surgeon offering prices of less than $1000 per eye. It is most likely a bait-and-switch approach. If it isn’t, you shouldn’t accept the surgery anyway. There is no way the surgeon can cover costs at the rate.

LASIK exam fees

Most LASIK centers offer free screenings. Take advantage of this opportunity to find the right LASIK center. Find an honest, experienced surgeon with a trained staff and the newest equipment. You could even ask for a couple opinions from optometrists They can be an excellent source for good referrals.