Eye Surgery Insights.com

Cost of Laser Eye Surgery

The cost of laser eye surgery varies widely from one clinic to another, and generally takes into consideration several determining factors. The only consistent standard is that providers almost always quote the cost of laser eye surgery for a single eye and not the pair.

Although, you may come across advertisements that offer Lasik eye surgery for as little as $500 per eye, this price is generally not available for most people and can often require extensive correction and treatment after surgery. In fact, only about three percent of all Lasik providers offer their laser eye surgery at cost below that of $1000 per eye. So be wise. If you come across an eye surgery center offer their services at bargain prices, thoroughly investigate the fine print for any hidden costs, and take the time to check out as many references from past customers as you can.

Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Cost

The cost of Lasik laser eye surgery has been steadily increased over the past several years. To give you a general idea of the increases, here’s what the refractive industry has reported as the average price of this type of procedure:

* In 2002, the average Lasik laser eye surgery cost ranged between $1,550 and $1,600.
* By October 2003, it had already increased to approximately $1,710.
* At the end of 2004, Lasik laser eye surgery cost rose above $1,800.
* In the first half of 2005, the average price was $1,965.

These figures reflect several types of businesses, from individual surgeons who use rented equipment to those who own their own equipment, and from regional eye surgery centers to nationwide eye surgery networks.

For example, TLC Laser Eye Centers, a leading Lasik provider, had an average price of $1,800 in 2002. By the end of 2004, the average Lasik laser eye surgery cost had risen to $1,957, and at the beginning of 2005 the price was $1,983.

Lasik Plus, another famous nationwide provider, reported an average price of $1,344 per eye in 2005, which is slightly lower than the $1,351 price it was quoting at the end of 2004, but much higher than the $1,173 at the beginning of 2003.

Prices for Other Types of Eye Surgery

The cost of other eye surgery procedures also tends to vary dramatically, depending on such factors as individual prescriptions, the surgeon you choose, and the area where you reside. Here are the average prices, per eye, for other common eye surgery procedures:

* Corneal inserts: $2,800 to $3,800
* CK (Conductive Keratoplasty): $1,200 to $2,500
* PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): $1,000 to $1,800
* LASEK: approximately the same prices as for Lasik

New Technology Laser Eye Surgery Cost

Laser eye surgery procedures that use newer technologies are generally more expensive. In Lasik with IntraLase, the surgeon cuts a flap from the cornea with a laser, not a microkeratome. The price is generally higher than for regular Lasik procedure, increasing by $250 – $500 per eye. The increase is partly justified by the fact that the surgeon has to cover the cost for the system. Patients paying for this procedure are said to have fewer flap complications, require fewer treatments after surgery and have a better chance to achieve an acuity of 20/20 or higher.

Generally, you’ll find that financing is available to help you with the cost or your laser eye surgery. There are a number of lenders that specialize in elective procedures and offer plans with long-term payments and fixed rates. Many laser eye surgery centers and private surgeons work with lenders they’ve found to be reliable in the past to provide affordable financing plans for their patients.