How Much Would You Pay For Lasik Eye Surgery?

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

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.



Finding Reputable Lasik Eye Surgery In New York

November 25, 2009 by  
Filed under Health

J. Lloyd asked:


As more and more people choose to seek alternatives to pricey and inconvenient eyeglasses and contact lenses, the popularity of Lasik eye surgery continues to grow exponentially. The Lasik procedure was first performed in the United States in 1991; today over one million people in the U.S. have undergone the procedure. For patients looking to embark on Lasik, finding a reputable surgery center is paramount to achieving success.

For those living in the New York area, reputable Lasik eye surgery in New York is relatively easy to find. In such a populated area – and one that is a medical hub of the east coast – Lasik has been made available to the masses.

Lasik eye surgery works to repair the way in which our eyes refract light. In a normally functioning eye, the lens of the eye works to refract – or bend – light to the retina. The retina – a group of cells in the lining in the back of the eye then takes that light and converts it to messages that can be understood by the optic nerve of the brain. The optic nerve receives these messages as visual images. When one link in the chain is affected the end result changes – much like the childhood game of Whisper Down The Lane.

In the case of refractive disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, light is not refracted properly to the retina. In turn the message that the retina sends to the optic nerve in the brain is received as a blurry image. Lasik surgery corrects the way in which we refract light through the use of laser technology.

During a Lasik procedure the eye is numbed, held open with a speculum, and immobilized with a corneal suction ring. After immobilization, the surgeon cuts a small incision in the top layer of the cornea making a flap. The flap is then folded back and the surgeon is able to access the underlayer of the cornea known as the stroma.

A low-powered laser is used to resurface the stroma so that light is refracted correctly going forward. After the laser procedure, the flap is replaced over the eye and allowed to heal naturally. Such a surgical procedure – while completed quickly – requires enormous precision and skill by experienced surgeons. Those undergoing Lasik eye surgery in New York often have little problem finding reputable and experienced surgical centers.

Ultimately, finding Lasik eye surgery in New York requires some research from the prospective patient. Those living in the New York area can often get a referral from their regular eye doctor or primary physician. But often the best way to find reputable Lasik eye centers is through a recommendation by someone who has had the procedure performed.

Talk to people who you know to have had the procedure and ask questions regarding their particular experience – including comfort level, respect received by the staff, the way in which surgeons addressed their questions and concerns, billing procedures, and aftercare.

Make sure to conduct your own research when it comes to finding Lasik eye surgery in New York; visit surgical centers in which you are interested and interview the surgeons to make sure that you are compatible with them on a personal and professional level. Ultimately – no matter where you have your procedure performed – you should feel as if you have been educated thoroughly regarding the procedure and have had all your questions answered.