LASIK Eye Surgery Cost & Tax Refunds

Every year, people use their tax refunds for numerous things. Going on vacation is nice, but so is paying off your bills or student loans. However, another option that many never think about is using tax refund money to help pay for LASIK eye surgery cost. After being deemed a fitting candidate, it is important to plan how you will pay for such a rewarding procedure that offers numerous long-term benefits.

Due to the price of undergoing a quality LASIK procedure, of which there are  with a board-certified LASIK eye surgeon, tax refund dollars can pay for a large portion of your surgery, possibly all of it, depending on your refund amount. Aside from undermining “bait and switch” tactics that are likely too good to be true, LASIK eye surgery cost can average around a couple thousand dollars per eye. This may sound high, but in order to receive a quality surgery that utilizes proven technology, medical expertise and top shelf patient care, LASIK eye surgery cost is validated.

Under the right circumstances, certain individuals who meet IRS qualifications may be able to deduct LASIK eye surgery via itemizing on their 1040 forms.* As with most things involving money, there may be loopholes, exceptions and a great deal of intricate details involved. So, if you’re considering either paying for LASIK eye surgery costs with tax refund money or want to try and deduct the procedure from your filing, be sure to ask your C.P.A. or other tax professional what the best plan is for your specific situation.

To calculate your approximate refund ahead of time, consider using professional-approved calculators before talking to a tax professional about LASIK eye surgery cost. Being proactive will better prepare you for conversations with both your C.P.A. and open payment conversations with the office who will perform your LASIK eye surgery. In many cases, LASIK eye surgeons offer financing plans for patients who are unable to pay for LASIK eye surgery all at once.  

*This material is not meant to advise or counsel the public in any way, especially in relation to tax filing and deduction capabilities. This material is only meant to educate on common knowledge in relation to LASIK eye surgery. Always consult a tax professional with any questions or concerns regarding your taxes, deductions, refunds, etc.

The Cost of LASIK & Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q Benefits

While LASIK eye surgery cost has dropped substantially in the last decade, it is still considered an expensive procedure by many patients. One of the main reasons why LASIK eye surgery cost is so high stems from the use of best-in-class LASIK technology. Today, let's discuss the Wavelight Allegretto Eye- Q Laser, a recently FDA-approved piece of LASIK technology used in industry-leading LASIK facilities that can increase LASIK costs, but can improve someone's quality of life in faster time.  

Approved by the FDA in September 2013, the impressive Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q Laser is currently the fastest LASIK laser available in the United States market. Manufactured by the trusted Alcon brand name, this next-generation technology has reduced surgery times and improved corneal reshaping precision. In cases where the Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q laser is used, this can greatly affect LASIK eye surgery costs. However, LASIK eye surgery should not be seen as a coupon-clipping procedure. Essentially, you get what you pay for. Bait and switch tactics typically promise impeccable results at a low expense. But, more than likely, the technology used will be considered outdated and less safe. Sacrificing quality for short term financial savings is not worth it if a less-than-reputable eye surgeon performs your LASIK eye surgery with legacy equipment.

Luckily, the Allegretto Wavelight Eye-Q Laser's technology is brand new and offers LASIK patients a multitude of innovative surgical benefits, including:

• A high-speed 400 Hz eye tracker that follows a patient's eye positions 400 times per second for optimal laser pulse accuracy    
• Energy controlled calibration settings that are engineered to pass through three checkpoints before pulsing, ensuring a rounder, more natural corneal surface
• One of the largest optical zooms available today, overcoming a previous LASIK eye surgery limitation that caused procedural difficulty for patients whose pupils are larger than the normal optical zoom of a LASIK laser 
• Lightning fast laser pulsing speeds of 400 bursts per second, correcting one diopter every two seconds

Investing in and operating the Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q Laser is not cheap for eye surgeons. Deploying brand new technology such as this increases LASIK eye surgery cost, but hopefully does not hinder ideal candidates from saving for their procedure.

Yes, LASIK eye surgery cost is substantial for most folks. But, when considering the quality of life improvement and the year-over-year expenses of glasses and contacts, LASIK eye surgery cost may not seem so unreasonable.

How Much Does LASIK Cost?

One of the first questions people ask while researching eye surgery is, “How much does LASIK cost?” Answering this question is an important step in determining if laser vision correction is the right solution for you and your specific situation. After conducting a healthy amount of research and undergoing a comprehensive eye exam to identify your physical eligibility for LASIK eye surgery, cost is the next logical research step.

In general, having LASIK eye surgery is costly. For facilities using older technology that utilizes a blade to create corneal flaps, surgery will likely cost $1,000.00 to $2,500.00 per eye. In other settings where bladeless, all-laser technology is used, LASIK costs approximately $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 per eye. A price report conducted by an industry-leading analyst identified the following prices as average LASIK eye surgery costs in 2012 (Source: allaboutvision.com):    

• $1,689 for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument and excimer lasers. These lasers are not guided by Wavefront technology.

• $1,947 for Wavefront-guided LASIK using a laser-created flap. A state-of-the-art example of Wavefront-guided technology is the WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q Laser, an industry-leading machine that creates flap using only lasers.  
• $2,159 for all laser-based vision correction procedures in which a single price is quoted.

Learning how much LASIK costs is a proactive step in determining how you will pay for it, should you be deemed a suitable candidate. While the price of LASIK is considered high, there are avenues individuals can take to ease the pain of their procedural bill. For instance, while numerous folks save money over a span of time or finance their surgery, many patients use FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds to pay for a portion of LASIK. If your employer offers an FSA option through your health benefits, any money put into the account counts as pre-tax dollars. This can save LASIK eye surgery patients as much as 20% when it comes time to pay for your procedure.