Dean Caporella asked:


The average cost of lasik eye surgery can vary quite significantly from provider to provider and it’s imperative that prospective patients do some necessary due diligence before making any undertaking to have the procedure performed.

The average cost has been rising steadily during the past few years due mainly to new technologies and procedures such as custom lasik.

Did You Know?

Intralase is a new procedure introduced recently which uses a laser rather than a metal blade used in traditional laser methods. There are two lasers used in this procedure; one to create the flap and the excimer laser which removes abnormal growth.

Cost Factors To Consider

Recently, a close pal of mine who had been considering lasik eye surgery for some time took the plunge and had the procedure performed. The result: an extremely happy patient who after weeks of due diligence and homework now regrets not having had the surgery performed earlier. It set him back close to $3000 Australian dollars but in his own words…”it was money well spent!”
So how much can you expect to pay? Well, this depends on the amount of correction and follow up treatment required per eye. You see, it’s well and good to get excited about an ad advertising lasik at under $500 per eye but you need to consider several factors. The price advertised is more than likely for less intensive treatment and if this applies to you then all well and good. However, what most people find is the price they originally see advertised is a far cry from the quote they are finally given simply because they haven’t factored in the amount of correction required and in some instances, this can be extensive.

During 2002, the average cost of lasik eye surgery was about $US1500 but by the end of 2005, it had risen to just under $US2000. In 2006 and beyond, well, I’ve given you an example of $AUS3000 which equates under current currency conversions to about $US2300.

Testing And Screening Before Treatment Is Very Important

A common dilemma for prospective lasik patients is the great variance in fees and this comes down to pre-operative testing. This is something you must consider. Why? Well, in my friend’s case, he opted for proper screening before he agreed to have his surgery performed. He reasoned that this was a sensible way to avoid any unnecessary complications and it also ascertained whether he was a proper lasik candidate. If he had gone ahead with the procedure without the proper pre-operative test then it could have presented problems.

It must be remembered that while lasik has been a “god-send” in the world of eye surgery to millions around the world there are still those unsuitable for treatment because of a pre-existing condition.

There is one very simple way around this: get screened beforehand. Talk it over with your surgeon. Lasik is a time efficient procedure but people must remember it is still a complex one. “Cover all bases” before you commit to it.

Steven Walters asked:

Lasik eye surgery is very safe when compared with other types of vision correction surgery. The problem is that like most other types of surgery lasik can be quite expensive and many people might have problems affording lasik surgery. If you’re considering having the lasik procedure done to correct your vision then you should do some homework to find out what’s involved with the cost of lasik eye surgery.

The standard among eye surgery centers is to quote lasik prices on a per eye basis. Since this is the case you may be wondering what the average cost per eye is for lasik surgery. Unfortunately this is not an easy question to answer since the cost of lasik eye surgery can be influenced by many different factors. Keep in mind that the supper cheap prices of $500 per eye that you may see advertised are often not valid for most people.

Some of the factors involved in the cost of lasik eye surgery are as follows:

The first cost factor you’ll run into is the cost of pre-operative evaluations. This is critically important to determine if you are a good candidate for lasik and to tell if there are any potential complications to your lasik surgery. It will also help the surgeon determine what type of eye surgery is most appropriate for your individual circumstances. Many lasik surgeons offer free evaluations so you can get the opinion and costs from several doctors before making a decision on who will do your lasik eye surgery.

Another cost factor is the type of equipment being used in the eye surgery. Lasers, computerized eye scanners, tear analysis and eye tracking equipment are all expensive and some of the laser manufacturers actually get a residual every time the surgeon uses their laser. These equipment expenses all impact the cost of lasik eye surgery. Each eye surgery center may use different equipment and the costs can vary dramatically.

To save yourself some money on your eye surgery look for lasik discounts, but be cautious as well when considering these discount offers. You’ll need to read all of the fine print to know what is included and more importantly what is not included in discount lasik prices. In some cases the discounts won’t be available to everyone and some discounts don’t include important pre-operative and post-operative testing and follow up. This can end up making your lasik eye surgery more risky, which is never a good idea.

Based on what eye surgery center you choose the cost of lasik eye surgery can vary by as much as $1500 per eye. This is a huge difference so be sure to shop around and have consultations with several lasik providers prior to making your decision. And don’t forget to read the fine print if you’re considering discount lasik eye surgery to keep yourself safe.

Roger Overanout asked:


It is very important to choose an experienced LASIK surgeon in order to make sure that your Lasik eye surgery is done effectively and with the correct safe guards, remember it is your eyes if anything goes wrong. Quite often Lasik eye surgery centers that are offering discounts attract a lot of patients, but beware of such centers because sometimes they may try to hide the actual cost and just display the charge for part of the procedure. After getting your surgery, you might find that there are a lot of other additional charges such as for consultations, follow-up care, etc. As a result of this your total bill could well exceed the amount that an honest well-experienced Lasik surgeon would have charged in the first place!

In this article, I have listed a few points that you should consider when it comes to the cost of Lasik eye surgery.

1.Do not get caught by the non-refundable deposit gimmick. These are nothing more than a ploy to get you hooked. If you do pay before hand you may find it is really a fee to learn the details of the surgery that the Lasik eye surgery center offers. It doesn’t matter if you find out later that the center is not a good one, they have got your money and if you decide not to go ahead with the surgery there is no refund. Always remember that reputable Lasik eye surgery centers will never ask for any fee to give you the necessary details about their procedures and practices.

2.You must make sure that the advertised cost is for the entire procedure including all preparation and after care. The cost must not be only for a part of procedure. Otherwise you might find that the actual bill will be a much higher amount than you were quoted.

3.You must make sure that the low cost of Lasik eye surgery being advertised covers the follow-up care as well. The follow-up care visits shouldn’t be restricted to just one or two. It should also include any problem that might arise following the surgery.

4.Also make sure that the low price includes all the necessary medical care for up to one year after your surgery. If any additional fees are charged then make sure you are aware of what they will be.

The overall cost of Lasik surgery is reasonable and is falling as more people have this type of eye surgery. Rather than going to the discount surgeries it is always recommended that you go to a reputable eye surgeon in order to get the best results.

Don’t worry, you will not be overcharged, also most surgeons now have payment plans available to fit even the most restricted budget.

Bill Urell asked:


Lasik eye surgery is the most advanced laser procedure that can be performed on the eyes. It can correct several common eye defects such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. This eliminates the need to wear clunky spectacles or even contact lenses. Lasik eye surgery can give you greatly improved eyesight and even up to a 20/20 vision.

This procedure makes use of special laser that directly treats the cornea and corrects the abnormality.

First, the surgeon will slice off a thin flap in the cornea, and then use a special laser to reshape the cornea. The flap is then returned, and should heal in about an hour. This procedure can be done all in the span of around 10 to 15 minutes per eye, and involves minimal pain or discomfort to the patient.

This quick and easy-to-do nature of this operation has naturally made this very popular, even among those who are normally reluctant to go under any kind of surgery.

There are now many Lasik eye surgery centers making this procedure easily available to everyone.

The cost of Lasik eye surgery can range anywhere from $500 to $5,500 per eye and the average cost is about $2000. The prices can vary depending on the region and the reputation of the surgeon performing the operation. The equipment that the center uses is also a factor. Those opting for custom Lasik should expect to pay $200 to $400 more.

It’s important to be cautious of advertisements offering low-cost Lasik surgery. Surgeons advertising Lasik for less than $1000 per eye are probably of substandard quality or these offers actually contain many additional hidden fees. These can include things like consultation fees and essential follow-up care.

They might also require special requirements or are only applicable to certain circumstances. When all these hidden costs are added up, the overall price of these low cost operations might even surpass that of other Lasik eye surgeons, that openly includes these expenses in their evaluation.

There are things to consider when choosing a Lasik eye surgeon. Be sure to make sure to have all the necessary information regarding the surgeon performing the operation, the price of the operation and what this price covers. Be sure to make all the necessary inquires. This is especially true for those advertising discounted Lasik surgery.

Be sure to ask if there are any additional charges for further enhancement surgeries and follow-up care.

Ask how many follow up visits will be made. Centers only offering one or two are follow up visits or ask for an additional fee per visit are discouraged.

Any necessary medical enhancements should be covered for up to 1 year after the surgery. If not, be sure to be aware of any additional charges that are to be made.

Find out the cost of the medication needed. This includes painkillers, etc. Also special protective goggles or glasses might be needed as well.

If you are considering Lasik eye surgery it is important to remember to prioritize the safety of your eyes over the potential cost. Although minimal, there is a risk involved with undergoing any surgery. It is advisable to choose a reputable eye surgeon who’s done at least 1000 successful Lasik eye surgeries, even if it might cost more, to minimize the risk of complications occurring.

Most Lasik eye center offer very reasonable payment plans, so that anyone can get Lasik surgery and pay for it in a way that works for them.