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.

Monica Keller asked:


We live in a time of seemingly endless innovation and rapid technological progress. It is hard enough to keep up on the latest e-mail filters and cell phone video cameras, much less such specialized medical procedures as LASIK eye surgery.

But if you are considering laser vision correction of any kind—the popular and effective LASIK procedure or, if you are not a good candidate for that, an alternative such as LASEK or PRK—then it is no longer just a matter of passing interest. It is your responsibility to be an informed, prepared patient for any kind of surgery, so you need to learn the latest on LASIK technology used in LASIK eye surgeries as part of that preparation.

The best doctors and clinics want to ensure the very best possible results for their LASIK eye surgery patients, which often means having not one but several different kinds of equipment. There are technologies that are more appropriate for some patient conditions than others, which is why many practices are equipped with several examples of the latest equipment available.

There are at least five or six kinds of laser eye surgery equipment being used widely in the field today, and others are being developed all the time. Medical research and technology continues to make breakthroughs that improve and maintain people’s quality of life, and the last few years have been particularly good ones for advances in LASIK treatment.

The WaveScan™ Wavefront® System used by many specialists in LASIK eye surgery works by creating a “map” that shows how your optical system, as a whole, processes perceived light. This results in something akin to a “fingerprint” of each eye’s unique vision profile, meaning that each of your eyes can be treated for their own special imperfections during the LASIK eye surgery.

The VISX® Star S4™ laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak®. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers astonishing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. (For comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter.)

CustomVue™ systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of “fingerprint”) of your vision to an “ideal” optical system. Once again using the VISX® Star S4™ laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue™ allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.

One of the newest developments on the LASIK eye surgery scene is the IntraLase® laser. It uses a special technology and method for creating the corneal flap required in laser vision correction surgery. Replacing a standard metal blade, the IntraLase® laser produces a very precise flap.

Dean Caporella asked:


The risk of complications from lasik eye surgery definitely exist but in reality, they are only minimal.

Obviously, surgery is not suitable for everyone and if you are considering lasik, you are not automatically guaranteed going under the surgeon’s laser. The pre-screening period is vital in assessing your suitability as a candidate for surgery.

If you are experiencing certain problems which will place you at risk or increase your risk of becoming impaired in some form or another, then don’t be surprised if you are not approved.

Less than one per cent of patients have experienced serious complications arising from lasik eye surgery. This figure just proves that there is risk associated with any kind of operation and while it’s only slight with this procedure it’s there nevertheless and you you should be aware of it.

So what are some of the complications from lasik eye surgery you could be at risk from? Let’s take a look at just a few.

Flap Complications

Issues with the flap can make up about 5% of lasik complications. Basically, problems can arise when the flap is not properly re-shaped and could either be too thin or too thick. Ill-fitting flaps may wrinkle soo after being placed on the eye’s surface.

The good news is on most occasions, this can be corrected with follow up treatment. Can it affect your vision? Yes, but in the majority of cases, only temporarily.

Cornea Issues

Double vision can arise from issues such as bad laser correction which doesn’t center on the eye. The cornea can also react to foreign debris which is caught under the flap. Inflammation usually occurs and permanent vision loss is a risk however, this is a slight risk provided follow up treatment is conducted in quick time.

Some of the other more common complications of lasik eye surgery include dry eye along with over and under correction. The issue of regression, meaning the eye returns back to it’s former condition after a certain time, is also a possibility but this cannot really be predicted.

As with most of the complications mentioned, follow up treatment will in most cases rectify any issues and this treatment doesn’t have to be more surgery. It could simply be medication prescribed by your doctor.

You will place yourself at great risk if you are initially rejected as a lasik candidate and then attempt to get the procedure performed elsewhere. Sure, get a second opinion but a quality and responsible eye surgery center will not want to perform treatment on your eyes if it means putting you at risk.

Alex Bellweather asked:


Lasik eye surgery has performed by the eye surgeon to the patients who are suffering from the various diseases like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The lasik surgery can cure all the problems and improve the vision.

1. People normally perform the lasik surgery needs extra care after the surgery. People who performed the lasik surgery and needs special care and wear lenses or glasses for extra care.

2. The doctor given the eye drop to protect the eyes, you must have to put the drop at regularly. The after care treatment is more important. It will take time to correct the eyes.

3. The post operative position is essential in the lasik eye surgery to take care of the eyes. The lasik surgery needs few weeks and it requires treatments properly to take extra care in the post operative position. Once the lasik surgery performs than the post treatment anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic medicine are used for the treatments.

4. Post operative eye care is one of the essential tasks to take care of eyes. You must have to follow the guidelines like you must have to wear the dark glasses and follow the strict instructions given by the eye surgeon. It is essential to keep the proper treatment to give better care of the eyes.

5. You must have to take care of your eyes and avoid any types of infections till the healing of eyes. It is essential to avoid such types of complications. It is better you can strictly follow the guidelines under post operative condition.

Alex Rider asked:


If you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery consider the fact that some people may be unsuitable for this operation. LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries

herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex

disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.

Dan Sherman asked:


Are you near sighted? Or maybe you have trouble reading the book right in front of your face. Sure, you can reach for those glasses and all will come into focus. However, you’re back to square one when you take them off. This is no solution. It’s more like a temporary fix. Some individuals are just getting sick and tired of reaching for those glasses every time they need to look at something. Fortunately these days there are other options. Have you ever heard of lasik eye surgery? This is a procedure gaining popularity as time moves on. Many of us want the vision dilemma fixed permanently, and this is what lasik eye surgery offers. Have you ever had 20/20? Well, these days you can achieve that perfect vision, and do it without the burden of eyeglasses.

Do you wear contact lenses? Boy, were these all the rage in the 80′s. Everyone wanted to ditch there prescription eyewear and conform to a more attractive solution to vision impairment. The contact lense not only allowed users to see clearly, but it also granted peripheral vision, which was not possible with old-school glasses. Now, the only downside was having these darn things sitting in your eyes all day. Have you tried contact lenses? They are not as comfortable as advertised. Big surprise! In addition, they are a redundant maintenance. Each morning and night you have to take them out, clean them with saline, and then store them in a container. It’s time to ditch this hassle and look into lasik eye surgery. This new-age procedure is done for a reasonable price. You can acquire that 20/20 vision we all dream of. And the best part is it’s permanent. There’s no fumbling with contact lenses every morning or worrying about your glasses. With lasik eye surgery comes an actual solution to your vision affliction.

To learn more about lasik eye surgery, and the going rates in your area, you can hop on the World-Wide-Web. Read testimonials from others who’ve received lasik eye surgery and love the results. Virtually anything you wish to know regarding this innovative procedure can be found online for free. So stop wasting your time with the old-school temporary fixes, and get with the program. Hey, if my 82 year old grandmother can have 20/20 vision, then so can you.

So get on with your search and find the nearest place that offers lasik eye surgery.

Steven Walters asked:


If you’re thinking about having lasik done then obviously the first thing you’ll think about is the safety of the procedure. I’m sure right after that you’ll start thinking about eye surgery cost. While the cost is lower than it was, you’ll have a hard time nailing down a number because lasik costs can vary based on several factors.

The first factor that will influence the cost of lasik is your location. Prices vary from state to state and city to city, with the most expensive places being the east and west coast major cities. You’ll find that lasik prices are higher in Atlanta and San Francisco than they are in Kansas City for example.

Another huge factor is the type of technology used for your laser eye surgery. The newer the technology the more expensive your surgery is going to be.

Finally, you’ll find that the experience and qualifications of the doctor will have an effect on the price of lasik.

What are typical lasik eye surgery costs?

When all is said and done, the average price of lasik eye surgery is around $1500 per eye. This price includes everything from the consultation right through the post operative follow up. Two of the factors that can change this price significantly are you’re location and the type and severity of your vision problem.

Will there be any additional Costs?

Additional costs will depend on how the price of the eye surgery is quoted. Some clinics and eye doctors will quote a base price with anything else costing extra, while others prefer to quote an all inclusive price. Any time you see extremely low advertisements for laser eye surgery these are the base prices without anything extra. Most people won’t even qualify for this extremely low lasik price.

Is discount lasik available?

It is still possible to save money on your lasik surgery. Some eye clinics will give you a discount for paying in cash and still others will print coupons in the local newspapers or yellow pages. Since eye surgery is a highly competitive market you may even be able to negotiate your own discount. Ask about possible discounts during your consultation.

Lasik eye surgery cost is certainly one of the most important things that will keep people from having the procedure done. Even though the price of lasik is a big consideration, there’s no need to let it hold you back from having the procedure done. With the lowest prices ever, possible discounts and financing available anyone who wants to can now have lasik.