Lasik Surgery: Costs

Upfront Costs

   The total price of Lasik surgery can vary anywhere from $1,200 to $3,600 per eye. The average Lasik surgery runs about $1,400 per eye. This is all dependant on the doctor, technology used, and the location of your surgery. Remember this is surgery on your eyes, pay little and you will run a higher risk of problems. The best advice is to make sure you trust your surgeon and do reserach on his practice.

Different Procedures

    All types of Lasik surgery are different. A normal Lasik procedure is going to be cheaper than a wavefront custom procedure. EPI-LASEK, PRK, and LASEK are all going to have different costs. The more specific your surgery, the higher the costs. Keep this in mind when looking at average costs of Lasik procedures.

Financing

    There is no arguing the fact that Lasik is an expensive surgery. There are several ways to finance this operation. First check with your current health insurance to see if they cover Lasik. Most companies will not cover your surgery, but it can't hurt to check. Your second option is to ask your employer if they offer FSA's (Flexible Spending Accounts). These are flex plans where pre-tax earnings are deposited into a account that is used for healthcare purposes strictly at your discretion. Your last option is to contact a healthcare financing company. They will provide you with a loan for your surgery. You can expect to pay interest on the loan, much like a car loan. Some doctors will not work with financing companies, so always check with your Lasik company first.

Am I a candidate for Lasik eye surgery?

   A candidate for any type of eye surgery must meet a few general pre-requisites. Patients should be at least 18 years old (and often times at least 25 years of age), demonstrate no change in eye sight for at least one year, and as with most surgeries have realistic expectations regarding the results of eye surgery. Patients who have experienced an eye infection or injury in the past year should not undergo the surgery. In the end this is something that only a doctor can decide. Normally, if you meet these requirements listed above you will be accepted.