LASIK Cost Information – Cost of Laser Eye Surgery

According to a survey of refractive surgeons by a leading industry analyst that was commissioned by AllAboutVision.com, the average price for LASIK eye surgery performed in the United States in early 2010 was approximately $2,150 per eye.

(This figure is for all laser vision correction procedures — including LASIK, PRK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK — when a single comprehensive price is quoted that includes follow-up care during your LASIK surgery recovery.)

The survey also showed that average LASIK prices in 2010 were about the same or slightly lower than in 2009. For example, the average price for blade-free, wavefront-guided LASIK with the corneal flap created with a femtosecond laser dipped to $2,170 per eye from $2,357 in 2009.

The price you'll actually pay for your LASIK depends on a number of factors, including:

• The type of laser technology you choose
• The type of surgical instrument used to create the corneal flap
• Whether or not your pre-op exam and follow-up visits are covered in the fee
• Whether or not your post-op medications are covered in the fee
• Whether or not retreatments (if necessary) are covered in the fee
• The skill, reputation, and experience of your refractive surgeon
• The community and area of the country you live in

LASIK Options

The least expensive LASIK procedure is standard (not wavefront-guided) LASIK with the corneal flap created with a mechanical microkeratome. This also is the oldest LASIK technology.

Although visual outcomes usually are very good with standard LASIK, it has a higher risk of certain complications, including flap problems. Nighttime glare and other vision problems also may be more prevalent after standard LASIK compared with newer and more advanced wavefront LASIK procedures.

The highest-priced option typically is wavefront-guided LASIK performed with the latest-generation excimer laser and the corneal flap created with a femtosecond laser. Wavefront-guided technology uses precise computer-generated mapping of the eye to guide the excimer laser as it reshapes the cornea, often providing better visual outcomes than standard LASIK.

Also, using a laser to create the corneal flap eliminates the risk of most flap complications for a safer, more psychologically comfortable LASIK procedure.

Expect to pay approximately $500 to $600 more per eye for wavefront-guided LASIK with a laser-created corneal flap, compared to standard LASIK with a flap created with a bladed microkeratome.

According to the same survey cited above, all-laser, wavefront-guided LASIK currently costs an average of $2,170 per eye ($4,340 for both eyes), while the average cost for standard LASIK with a microkeratome flap is $1,580 per eye ($3,160 for both eyes).

LASIK Insurance, Financing and Taxes

Most health insurance companies consider LASIK and other vision correction procedures to be not medically necessary, since vision can be corrected with eyeglasses and contact lenses. Therefore, the cost of LASIK typically is not included as a benefit of most major medical plans. However, some medical and vision plans offer a discount for LASIK performed by certain eye surgeons. Ask your plan administrator for details.

To help patients afford LASIK and other vision correction procedures, many refractive surgeons offer financing plans that might fit your budget. In some cases, zero percent financing is available for a limited payback period. Ask your eye surgeon for information about available in-house or third party financing plans during your LASIK consultation.

Though LASIK is not covered by most medical insurance plans, it "meaningfully promotes the proper function of the body," according to the Internal Revenue Service and therefore qualifies as medical expense that can be deducted from your taxable income according to Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contact your accountant or tax attorney for details or visit the IRS website for more information.

If you serve in the U.S. military, you may be eligible to have LASIK or PRK performed at a military base surgical clinic free of charge. Ask your recruiter or commanding officer for details. Also, some private refractive surgeons offer special discounts for military personnel.

"Discount" LASIK

Be wary of advertisements by surgery centers that offer LASIK at very low prices — "LASIK as low as $299 per eye," for example. If you read the small print, often only a small percentage of patients (sometimes less than 10 percent) typically qualify for this pricing, based on their refractive error.

Typically, "bargain"-priced LASIK is a standard LASIK procedure with a microkeratome-created corneal flap, and pre-operative exams, follow-up visits, medications after surgery and retreatments often are not included in the price.

Sometimes these surgery centers use a "mobile" laser, meaning the excimer laser is trucked to the surgery center that day, and then gets loaded back on the truck and is taken to another surgery center the next day. This frequent movement and transport of the laser may affect its calibration and the consistency of LASIK outcomes it produces.

According to a leading industry analyst, less than 7 percent of LASIK procedures performed in the U.S. in 2008 cost less than $1,000 per eye. As with most things, "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."

As with most things, "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."

You have one set of eyes. Choose wisely when it comes to laser vision correction surgery, and don't let the cost of the procedure be your only consideration.

More about the cost of refractive eye surgery: How much does cataract surgery cost?

Note: This information is for general education purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice from your eye doctor or refractive surgeon.

Last updated: January 21, 2011

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