Lasik Eye Surgery Cost

The lasik eye surgery can correct refractive errors and can thus treat myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. The surgery can reduce a patient's dependency on contact lenses and glasses. Refractive errors affect the focusing ability of the eye and so patients who suffer from these conditions experience blurred vision along with other eye problems. As doctors remove a predetermined amount of corneal tissue during this surgery and reshape the cornea of the eye, it leads to improved focusing power of the eye and enhanced visual acuity of the patient. Lasik eye surgery cost is not covered by insurance as it is a corrective eye surgery.

Surgeons generally do not recommend lasik on children. Extreme cases may be considered as exceptions to the rule. Human eye is not fully developed until adulthood and so lasik surgery is normally performed on adult patients. There should be no eye infection like herpes, no injury, no autoimmune disorder like lupus, no scarring of cornea, no pregnancy, no 'dry eye symptoms' before the surgery, if you want yourself to be considered as a good candidate for lasik. Your vision must be stable for at least one year before the surgery and your pupils should not dilate beyond seven millimeters in the dark, for the lasik surgery to be performed. Your ophthalmologist will explain you all the risks of the surgery and the cost of the surgery. You should have realistic expectations regarding the results that can be achieved.

Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery

The cost of the surgery can vary according to the country or the place where it is performed. It may vary according to the level of experience a surgeon possesses. The advanced or latest technology used during the surgery and the degree of your refractive error are also responsible for lowering or raising lasik eye surgery cost. Average cost of the surgery can range anywhere from $500 per eye to $3,000 per eye. A less skilled ophthalmologist may charge a lower lasik eye surgery price, but you should not choose a lasik surgeon looking at the price of the surgery. He/she might be lacking in the experience, training or precise equipment which a more expensive doctor might be having.

The cost of the surgery increases according to the size of the city! In larger metropolitan cities, patients have to pay more; because there, the doctors try to stay ahead of their competitors by utilizing the latest laser technology. However, it is observed that the average cost of lasik eye surgery in the United States is relatively consistent from region to region.

Lasik Cost Breakdown

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

• Anesthesia cost
• Rent for surgical and office facilities.
• Purchase and maintenance of surgical and technical equipment.
• Other sterile and disposable materials.
• Post-surgical enhancement and eye care if required.
• Pre and post-operative evaluations for usually up to one year after surgery.
• Medications used before, during and after surgery, eye drops, pain relievers and oral medications.

Higher Cost of the Surgery

The type of laser and the technology used determine the cost of the surgery.

• Lasik surgery which involves the use of a laser rather than a microkeratome blade to create the corneal flap, costs between $250 and $500 or more per eye.
• Custom lasik, wherein wavefront technology to map the patient's cornea is involved, can cost between $200 and $500 or more per eye.

Patients should research thoroughly whether these new techniques are worthwhile or right for them. Sometimes, with aggressive advertising campaigns, lasik eye surgery price discounts are announced. There are various tactics to bring in more customers. Patients should check the rules or clauses, prices excluded, etc., before accepting such offers. Here, I also want to mention that paying a higher price does not necessarily guarantee that you will get the best lasik surgeon. You should spend ample time researching the best skilled, experienced eye surgeons who use advanced technologies and provide best facilities in your area.

As seen above, lasik eye surgery cost varies according to location, the technology used and other factors specific to each patient as well as surgeon. So, it is extremely important for the patients to fully research what they are paying for, before undergoing any surgery. The patients should request the doctors to clarify what is and what is not included in the surgery cost, before agreeing to any payment plans.