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.