Many people often ask, “How much does LASIK cost?” LASIK eye surgery costs fluctuate heavily in America due to a few factors. The kind of LASIK someone receives, their prescription, the technology used and the state in which they receive LASIK lends to the absence of a universal price standard.
Factor #1: Kind of LASIK
In general, the average cost for LASIK on one eye ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 (so $3,000 to $6,000 for both eyes). While there are LASIK procedures that fall below and above these prices, the majority of laser correction procedures land in this vicinity. The four kinds of LASIK someone can receive are All-laser, blade-free LASIK, PRK LASIK, Monovision and Presby-LASIK. Depending on how much corneal reshaping is necessary and which path best suits your vision issues can cause price fluctuation.
Factor #2: The Patient’s Prescription
In deciphering individual LASIK costs, patients should also consider their prescription. Once your prescription is considered stable and you are deemed a suitable candidate for LASIK eye surgery, keep in mind that because everyone’s eyes differ so much, vision correction procedures are more customized than standardized. For instance, a patient who is legally blind without glasses or contacts may require more reshaping than someone who had clear vision until after age 40.
Factor #1: Kind of LASIK
In general, the average cost for LASIK on one eye ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 (so $3,000 to $6,000 for both eyes). While there are LASIK procedures that fall below and above these prices, the majority of laser correction procedures land in this vicinity. The four kinds of LASIK someone can receive are All-laser, blade-free LASIK, PRK LASIK, Monovision and Presby-LASIK. Depending on how much corneal reshaping is necessary and which path best suits your vision issues can cause price fluctuation.
Factor #2: The Patient’s Prescription
In deciphering individual LASIK costs, patients should also consider their prescription. Once your prescription is considered stable and you are deemed a suitable candidate for LASIK eye surgery, keep in mind that because everyone’s eyes differ so much, vision correction procedures are more customized than standardized. For instance, a patient who is legally blind without glasses or contacts may require more reshaping than someone who had clear vision until after age 40.
Factor #3: Technology Used
Perhaps the most influential factor in determining how much LASIK costs is technology use. Eye surgery costs may be lower if the eye surgeon uses older, outdated technology. It is important to note that while some older technology still holds FDA approval and remains a functional piece of LASIK equipment, the latest, state-of-the-art technology offers maximized patient safety and increased accuracy. While hopeful LASIK patients likely consider lower cost as a large influence, it is important to remember safety and well being is the most important factor. One of the newest FDA-approved lasers for LASIK is the WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q Laser machine. While this may increase LASIK cost, it also delivers faster, more accurate corneal reshaping. Additionally, improved effectiveness and better patient throughput offers LASIK eye surgeons more precision during every procedure.
Factor #4: LASIK Eye Surgery Location
LASIK eye surgery cost can also be affected by where a patient undergoes their procedure. Due to fluctuating costs of living throughout the U.S. and the difference in LASIK fees in large cities versus smaller towns, folks can expect to see an unsteady trend in average LASIK costs. To keep your procedural bill down, consider searching for a LASIK surgeon in a sizable city where the cost of living is economical.
Things to Remember
While these (and other) factors constantly influence LASIK eye surgery cost, the key factor in searching for quality LASIK is to find a reputable, certified ophthalmologist that does not utilize a bait and switch tactic that promises LASIK at a low price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Ensure your LASIK eye surgeon is not only board certified, but also holds an active medical practitioner license. For help choosing an eye care specialist or LASIK eye surgeon, consider taking these steps during your research. To alleviate the strain of searching for certified ophthalmologists in your area, utilize this finder tool from the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Perhaps the most influential factor in determining how much LASIK costs is technology use. Eye surgery costs may be lower if the eye surgeon uses older, outdated technology. It is important to note that while some older technology still holds FDA approval and remains a functional piece of LASIK equipment, the latest, state-of-the-art technology offers maximized patient safety and increased accuracy. While hopeful LASIK patients likely consider lower cost as a large influence, it is important to remember safety and well being is the most important factor. One of the newest FDA-approved lasers for LASIK is the WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q Laser machine. While this may increase LASIK cost, it also delivers faster, more accurate corneal reshaping. Additionally, improved effectiveness and better patient throughput offers LASIK eye surgeons more precision during every procedure.
Factor #4: LASIK Eye Surgery Location
LASIK eye surgery cost can also be affected by where a patient undergoes their procedure. Due to fluctuating costs of living throughout the U.S. and the difference in LASIK fees in large cities versus smaller towns, folks can expect to see an unsteady trend in average LASIK costs. To keep your procedural bill down, consider searching for a LASIK surgeon in a sizable city where the cost of living is economical.
Things to Remember
While these (and other) factors constantly influence LASIK eye surgery cost, the key factor in searching for quality LASIK is to find a reputable, certified ophthalmologist that does not utilize a bait and switch tactic that promises LASIK at a low price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Ensure your LASIK eye surgeon is not only board certified, but also holds an active medical practitioner license. For help choosing an eye care specialist or LASIK eye surgeon, consider taking these steps during your research. To alleviate the strain of searching for certified ophthalmologists in your area, utilize this finder tool from the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
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