Are you tired of glasses and contacts? LASIK eye surgery is a tried-and-true vision correction procedure that has been publicly available in the US since 1999. Using a specialized laser to reshape your cornea (the clear front part of your eye), Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK, can provide long-lasting clear vision to patients. In fact, many patients who undergo LASIK report achieving 20/20 vision or better.
Many of our patients also wonder how much such a monumental surgery like this cost. The short answer is the average cost of LASIK surgery in the United States ranges between $1,500 and $2,500 per eye. It’s worth noting that some eye care centers promote LASIK for as low as $500 per eye. But these are often for minimal corrections, but these offers generally have many hidden fees which increase the total price drastically.
The cost of LASIK is a bit more nuanced than that. To fully understand what goes into LASIK pricing, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive insight into associated costs, empowering you to make an informed decision.
Determining If You Need LASIK Surgery
While LASIK can provide fantastic vision correction results, not everyone qualifies for the procedure. Luckily, Lakeland Eye Clinic offers other vision correction options as well, to provide you with the best vision care possible.
The first step in the LASIK journey is to schedule a consultation with your experienced Lakeland Eye Clinic ophthalmologist. They will help determine if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK. If your prescription has changed frequently, it might be best to wait until it stabilizes before considering LASIK. Your age may also determine if LASIK is right for you. The ideal age for LASIK is typically between 20 and 40 years.
Talk to your eye care provider about your medical history, including any medications you’re taking. Certain conditions and medications can affect your ability to get LASIK surgery.
LASIK can help eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses, but it might not guarantee perfect vision. In order to understand the potential outcomes, you should discuss and set your expectations with your eye doctor.
Benefits of LASIK Surgery
Quick Results
Your vision is typically improved within a day or two after the surgery. Recovery can take a few weeks, but many patients see vision improvement very quickly. Both vision improvement and recovery time tend to be longer if you get PRK surgery instead of LASIK.
To learn more about the differences between LASIK, PRK and which may be a better fit for your eyes, read our helpful PRK vs LASIK guide.
What Can I Expect for my LASIK Surgery?
LASIK uses pulses of laser light to reshape the cornea of your eye. During the procedure, the laser removes corneal abnormalities that cause refraction errors in your vision such as myopia or hyperopia. This allows you to achieve 20/20 vision or better.
After your surgery, you will have some restrictions on your activities. You will need someone to drive you home right after the procedure and will not be able to bathe for at least 12 hours. For the next 24 hours, limit yourself to light activities. Reading and watching TV is okay. Within two days, you should be able to resume work. You will need to avoid certain activities, such as strenuous exercise and swimming, for one to two weeks.
To learn more about what to expect from LASIK surgery, how to prepare, and what recovery looks like, consult our LASIK Service page.
What Impacts the Cost of LASIK Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery cost is dependent on several factors including geographic location and the type of equipment used during the surgery.
Technology and Equipment
Many people think of LASIK as a single procedure, but there are many different laser types and auxiliary equipment. Different LASIK technologies and lasers each have their own advantages and costs. The latest and most advanced technologies will subsequently be more expensive.
Surgeons who opt to use the newest laser technology may charge more for their services. These advanced laser technologies greatly improve the surgery experience and help patients see better results. Surgeons may charge more to use them to offset their cost.
During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your options and help you make an informed decision as to which LASIK or other vision correction procedure is best for you.
Customized and Additional Services
Just as there are different types of LASIK technology, there are also different add-ons and advanced services you can get to further improve your LASIK procedure. Customized LASIK surgery, such as Wavefront-guided or topography-guided LASIK involves using a scanning device to map the surface of your eye in minute detail. This allows LASIK surgeons to create a procedure that is unique to the surface of your eye to give you the best possible results.
The use of additional technologies and customization services may make LASIK more expensive due to the additional expertise and equipment required.
Additional Fees
Aside from the surgical procedure itself, other fees may come with LASIK surgery. These include consultations, surgery aftercare, medications, and follow-up visits.
If you have questions about additional fees, you can discuss your concerns with the staff of your LASIK provider. The team at Lakeland Eye Clinic will provide transparent pricing information to help you make the best-informed decision.