Laser Eye Surgery Cost

Knowing the cost of laser eye surgery is essential, so that you can plan out your treatment procedure for the eyes. The various elements that are involved in establishing the laser eye surgery cost have been discussed in this article. Read on....
If you are in the planning phase of deciding whether to have laser eye surgery, then one of the most important factors that you need to consider is the laser eye surgery cost. Many people having problems of short sightedness or long sightedness, have opted for laser eye surgery and have improved their vision. Among the various eye surgery options that are available in the hospitals, laser eye surgery has gained a lot of popularity among the masses. Laser eye surgery (Laser assisted subepithelial keratectomy ) and Lasik eye surgery (Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) are the two types of laser eye surgeries.

Cost of Laser Eye Surgery
A laser eye surgery cost is the sum total of various cost factors, which are as follows. Type of laser surgery that has to be performed.
  • The clinical costs.
  • Charge of the doctor/medical expert carrying out the laser eye surgery.
  • Administrative costs
  • Maintenance costs of the tools and machines involved in surgery.
  • Consultancy charge of the doctor.
  • Appointments and visits post operation.
  • Cost of the medicines.
As you can see, there are various parameters that decide the total cost, so before going for the operation, do inquire about various elements involved in the surgery that can contribute to increase in the overall costs. Here is a detailed information about the cost determining parameters.

Fee of the Surgeon
The credentials and achievements of the surgeon who will perform the laser eye surgery, will determine how much the surgeon will charge. A surgeon who has substantial years of work experience and has been involved with similar operations in the past is obviously going to charge more than some other doctor. Since, it is the question of eyesight, one should not compromise with the quality of the surgeon. Looking for a surgeon with good work experience in this field, is worth the effort rather than getting operated by some unskilled and less fee charging surgeon.

Technology Costs
A hospital with better facilities and latest technology will cost higher, than any other clinic or hospital with less advanced technology. Investigating about the type of laser system used in the clinic and the registered marks of FDA on the equipment, will be a proof that it is suitable for the treatment. The equipment used in the surgery are expensive ($500, 000 approx) and result in heavy maintenance costs (nearly $90,000 annually). So, it's imperative for the clinics to include these costs in the laser eye surgery.

Appointment Costs
The period before and after the laser eye surgery is absolutely important. While proper screening and testing before the operation is essential, to properly understand the complications, postoperative visits and consultancy with the doctor are equally important. These too are included in the surgery cost. Many eye clinics lure the patients with discounted eye surgery costs, however, they add the charges in some or the other way. Besides, they may not allow the freedom to consult their doctors after the operation, which is misleading and not appreciable, so, the benefits of such clinics should only be availed, if you are sure about the performance of that clinic. It is advisable to be safe and go for reputable clinics, no matter how high the costs are.

Prescription Costs
One of the important parameters in determining the surgery cost are the prescription costs. The type of laser eye surgery you will be advised to go, will determine the prescription costs. The prescription costs are decided on the basis of per eye treatment.

The average cost of laser eye surgery is about $1,000 to over $3,000 per eye and the huge difference in ranges is due to the various types of prescriptions, that will be advised to the patient. So, these were the factors that contribute to the laser eye surgery costs. Choosing a good doctor is the first step towards effective treatment. While you making a budget, ensure that you invest wisely, after analyzing all the pros and cons of laser eye surgeries.
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Last Updated: 9/19/2011
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