Laser eye surgery cost

The cost of LASIK differs widely from one provider to another and depends on many factors. The only universal standard is that LASIK and other refractive surgery prices are quoted per eye (as we do in this article).

Remember that one LASIK procedure equals only one eye even if both eyes are corrected on the same day. So the price quoted for a procedure doubles if you intend to have both eyes corrected.

LASIK surgeons also might add extra charges for new technologies, including wavefront analysis for extra precise corrections (custom wavefront LASIK).

You also might be charged extra for all-laser or bladeless LASIK (IntraLase and other technologies), a LASIK procedure in which a laser is used instead of a bladed instrument to create the flap on the front of the eye. In LASIK, this thin flap is lifted so that laser energy can be applied to shape the eye, and then replaced to serve as a natural bandage.
Average LASIK Costs

A report commissioned by AllAboutVision.com from a leading industry analyst in 2009 listed average LASIK costs as:

* $2,140 for all laser-based vision correction procedures (including LASIK) in which a single price is quoted.
* $1,748 for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument (microkeratome) and excimer lasers that are not guided by wavefront analysis.
* $2,314 for wavefront-guided LASIK using a laser-created flap.

Note that there can be wide variation in what an advertised price will include. Beware of advertising that, for example, promises "LASIK from $499 per eye." Look for the fine print. Typically, only a few select people are actually eligible for LASIK at prices that sound unusually low, because most eyes require more extensive correction or more follow-up after the surgery.

Average LASIK prices have not risen substantially in several years. That trend continues in 2009, no doubt because of the generally poor state of the U.S. economy. Many potential laser eye surgery candidates appear for now to be choosing more economical vision correction choices such as eyeglasses or contact lenses until the economy heats up again.

Certain average LASIK prices in 2009 were slightly higher than in 2008, but only by one or two percentage points. In fact, the average price for wavefront-guided LASIK using a laser-created flap on the eye dipped slightly from $2,341 in 2008 to $2,314 in 2009.

Many more eye surgeons (47.2 percent) now quote a single price for LASIK or similar vision correction procedures than in 2008 (39.5 percent). This means new technologies such as customized wavefront procedures and laser-created flaps are not priced separately and charged as "extras," in addition to a basic fee for a laser vision correction procedure.

In previous years, you might have been able to find a few eye surgeons willing to charge less than $1,000 per eye for LASIK and other procedures. But the newest 2009 AllAboutVision.com report indicates that most eye surgeons have backed off entirely from charging prices that low.

But on the flip side of that trend, fewer eye surgeons are charging the highest prices in typical ranges quoted for vision correction surgery.

Non-customized procedures are performed with the less expensive options of bladed microkeratomes and excimer lasers that are not guided by wavefront analysis. Most customized wavefront procedures that also use laser-created flaps cost from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye (see charts below).

The cost of LASIK and other vision correction surgery may remain stable or even decrease in 2009 and beyond because of the major economic downturn that began in late 2008.

As an example, LCA-Vision Inc. (Cincinnati) officials in June 2009 reported that procedure volumes at the company's 75 LASIKPlus U.S. vision correction surgical centers had declined by 45 percent compared with the previous year. But they noted that the economy's impact was worse in late 2008, and that year-over-year comparisons may improve as the year progresses.

TLCVision Corp. (St. Louis), which also operates vision correction surgical centers nationally, reported a 38 percent decline in procedure volume during the first quarter of 2009.

Higher volumes of surgical procedures help control costs by maintaining profitability of surgical centers. So if demand continues to drop, prices for elective vision correction surgery actually could increase in 2009. Many surgical centers hurt by low demand for LASIK and other procedures now are expanding cataract surgery offerings to help increase profitability.
Beware of "Bargain" Prices for LASIK

When you deal with centers and surgeons that advertise LASIK surgery at bargain prices far below what is mentioned above, you would be wise to ask plenty of questions related to what a procedure actually costs beyond what is advertised. Be sure to ask for an estimate, in writing, that details exactly what you are getting for that low price.

As an example, Florida's Attorney General in November 2005 announced a settlement with Lasik Vision Institute for allegedly misrepresenting the actual cost of eye surgeries as stated in the company's advertisements. One dispute in the case involved non-refundable deposits, even when an individual opted not to have surgery.

Based on these types of isolated incidents, make sure you clearly know what the total cost of the procedure will or could be, including surgeon and facility fees or any other extras. One advertised price represented as a "bargain" might include those types of extra costs, while another might not.