Costs of LASIK Surgery

In a 2008 industry analysis, average costs for laser refractive surgeries were as follows:

• $2,105 for all laser-based vision correction procedures in which a single price is quoted
• $1,662 for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument (microkeratome) and excimer lasers that are not guided by wavefront analysis
• $2,341 for wavefront-guided LASIK using IntraLase

However, prices differ widely from one provider to another and depend on many factors such as area of the country or large city vs. small town. The universal standard is that all prices for laser eye surgeries are quoted per eye. LASIK surgeons may also charge extra for new technologies, including wavefront analysis, which is used for extra precise corrections. You may also be charged extra for bladeless LASIK, such as IntraLase.

You should be wary of advertisements that claim to perform LASIK for very low prices. When you read the fine print, you will probably note that there are many extra costs or that the prices quoted are only for very basic procedures for which most people do not qualify.

The trend in the last year or so has been toward cheaper prices for non-customized LASIK procedures that don't use more expensive options. Due to the downturn in the economy, many surgeons and laser eye clinics have reduced the cost of LASIK. However, prices have remained stable or even risen for procedures that require some of the newer techniques such as wavefront technology.

During your surgical consultation, be sure to ask your doctor just what the costs include, i.e. follow-up visits, bandage contact lenses and any necessary follow-up surgeries. You should also be aware that most insurance policies do not cover LASIK or any other form of laser eye surgery.

When you are in your initial consultation, you should speak with the ophthalmologist about pre- and post-operative instructions as well as LASIK recovery.

Please click on the form on this page to receive more information about LASEK, LASIK, PRK and other forms of laser refractive surgery. You will be glad you did.