Laser eye surgery, or lasik, has become an incredibly popular procedure in recent years. Laser eye surgery uses a laser to reshape the surface of the eye, the cornea, in order to improve vision. It has made it possible for many people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, to end their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
You may have considered lasik surgery, but been wary of the cost of laser eye surgery. Then again, you may also have noticed that the cost of the operation has been decreasing in recent years. This downward trend in surgery price means that lasik has become more affordable for many people.
The cost of this surgery when it was first introduced meant that the procedure was out of reach the majority of the population and remained a luxury. However, the lower cost of the procedure today means that lasik has become incredibly popular and many more people are able to enjoy the benefit of life without glasses or contact lenses.
If you are considering the procedure, you should be aware that there are a number of things affect the cost of laser eye surgery.
- Depending on where you live in North America and the associated cost of living in that area, the cost of lasik will vary.
- It is important that you are aware that with laser eye surgery, prices are quoted per eye. So be sure that when you are looking at the different prices on offer, you double the advertised price to work out the actual cost of the procedure. Obviously, if you only need one eye done, as is often the case with astigmatism, this will be a cheaper procedure for you.
- The cost surgery varies depending on the degree of refractive error of your eyes (this relates to your prescription). Therefore, the low price you see advertised may be for the most basic procedure for minor vision correction. The price can increase dramatically depending on your condition and what type of pre- and post-operative care you want.
- The doctor pays royalties each time they perform procedure. These fees are the biggest cost of lasik as they are usually quite high. In addition, these costs differ depending on the type of laser used. This is therefore another thing that could affect the cost of your laser eye surgery.
- You may find that prices fluctuate depending on the surgeon, with more experienced, qualified surgeons commanding higher prices. However, you may also find that certain clinics with highly qualified surgeons now offer very competitive prices.
Despite all these different factors that may affect the cost eye surgery, expect to pay in excess of $1000 for quality laser eye surgery. This is actually quite reasonable, considering what you would have paid a few years ago for the same procedure. If this price is still unaffordable for you, consider the financing options available. Choosing a financing option may help to decrease or disperse the cost of the surgery