LASIK Surgery Cost

LASIK surgery is very popular and has been around for almost 20 years now. The technology has come a long way and is able to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Doctors are employing new techniques that allow the healing time to be shorter and have less risk of complication. They are also able to screen patients better and predict who would be a good candidate and who would not.

Prices vary depending on what part of the country you live in and on the exact type of LASIK performed. The older type where a tiny blade is used to create the flap of the cornea is cheaper than the newer way of cutting the cornea with a laser.

This type of surgery uses a laser for all parts of the surgery, including the creation of the flap and the reshaping of the cornea. The average price in 2010 was about $2,150 per eye. Naturally this can vary depending on where you live and how much competition there is among doctors.

This is an older version of the procedure where a tiny blade (microkeratome) creates the flap and the laser shapes the cornea.  The price is a little bit cheaper and the outcomes are still very good.  Expect to pay around $1,600 per eye.

This is the newest type where the cornea is analyzed with advanced scanning techniques to take into account higher order aberrations which can cause glare and halos.  Wavefront will help with the aspects of vision “beyond 20/20”.  Again, the flap and reshaping are done with the laser.  Expect to pay a little more for this type.  The average price is around $2,000 per eye, with a range of $1,500 to $3,000. 

Sometimes you will see ads for “LASIK surgery from $499”.  This usually applies to only a small percentage of patients with low prescriptions.  This is merely an advertising gimmick, so beware.  Other times they will advertise a price like $1000 per eye as a base price and add on additional charges for higher prescription, all laser procedure, wavefront, etc.  The price will be in fact closer to what I mentioned before.

As with anything, if it sounds too good (or too cheap) to be true, it probably is. Make sure you research the clinic doing the surgery, as well as the doctor. Ask for references and get a second opinion. Ask your normal eye doctor what they think and if you would be a good candidate. LASIK surgery can be life changing and give you freedom from glasses and contacts forever.