average cost of lasik eye surgery
What is the Average Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery
Mike Jerry
Mike Jerry
You have decided on the surgeon and the clinic that you plan on getting your lasik eye surgery done. The next thing you want to know is how much it is going to cost you. From 2002 to 2005, the average cost has risen from $1,500 to almost $2,000. You will want to check with your surgeon on the breakdown of your bill and what will be included. Of course, the cost will cover the surgery, but you will also be paying the person who made the machine. Companies that make the machines to do lasik eye surgery get anywhere from 10-20% of the surgery. Another important thing to know when looking into this type of surgery is your surgeon's reputation. A surgeon with a good reputation is the only surgeon you should use.
A proper decision is based on a little "market research". When you are going through the consideration process, you need to find out both what the average cost of the lasik eye surgery is going to be, as well as what is included for that price.
LASIK Price Increase
In the last few years the prices have been rising, on the one hand because new procedures are used such as "custom LASIK" which is more expensive than traditional LASIK, and on the other hand new technologies such as intralase technology have appeared on the scene.
In 2002 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was between $1,550 and $1,600, but by October 2003 the average had risen to $1,710. At the end of 2004 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was a little over $1,800, and in 2005 it was $1,965.
Why the price variation ?
One reason prices vary is that different providers perform different levels of preoperative testing so it is very important you should determine if in the quoted price proper testing is included.
Also the cost of testing and surgery equipment varies widely. Technologies for tear film analysis, eye tracking, and measurements of corneal thickness, the laser and corneal topography and pupil size, are available at various prices and are reflected in the procedure fees.
What Are You Paying for?
Refractive surgery fees should cover a variety of costs such as lease or purchase and maintenance of the laser, corneal ring segments, microkeratome and/or other devices used. The excimer laser manufacturer receives a royalty fee of $100 to $150 per eye to develop the machine. If it's a custom procedure the royalty fee per eye is between $145 and $250, depending on the laser manufacturer.
In the cost of lasik surgery are also included masks, gloves, gowns and other items to make sure the operation is kept sterile.
And let us not forget about surgical solutions, medications and microkeratome blades used during the surgery; office and surgical staff benefits and salaries, office equipment, rent, and office administration; insurance, patient acquisition costs, which include seminars and advertising, and surgeon's fees if he or she is not on staff.
LASIK is a relatively new technology and thus the long-term effects are not well known. You should take into account the average cost of lasik eye surgery but don't make your decision relying simply on cost, ask your surgeon what is included and what is not included, what will you have to pay for if enhancement surgery becomes necessary or complication occur, and of course a good surgeon is better than a good price!
LASIK Price Increase
In the last few years the prices have been rising, on the one hand because new procedures are used such as "custom LASIK" which is more expensive than traditional LASIK, and on the other hand new technologies such as intralase technology have appeared on the scene.
In 2002 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was between $1,550 and $1,600, but by October 2003 the average had risen to $1,710. At the end of 2004 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was a little over $1,800, and in 2005 it was $1,965.
Why the price variation ?
One reason prices vary is that different providers perform different levels of preoperative testing so it is very important you should determine if in the quoted price proper testing is included.
Also the cost of testing and surgery equipment varies widely. Technologies for tear film analysis, eye tracking, and measurements of corneal thickness, the laser and corneal topography and pupil size, are available at various prices and are reflected in the procedure fees.
What Are You Paying for?
Refractive surgery fees should cover a variety of costs such as lease or purchase and maintenance of the laser, corneal ring segments, microkeratome and/or other devices used. The excimer laser manufacturer receives a royalty fee of $100 to $150 per eye to develop the machine. If it's a custom procedure the royalty fee per eye is between $145 and $250, depending on the laser manufacturer.
In the cost of lasik surgery are also included masks, gloves, gowns and other items to make sure the operation is kept sterile.
And let us not forget about surgical solutions, medications and microkeratome blades used during the surgery; office and surgical staff benefits and salaries, office equipment, rent, and office administration; insurance, patient acquisition costs, which include seminars and advertising, and surgeon's fees if he or she is not on staff.
LASIK is a relatively new technology and thus the long-term effects are not well known. You should take into account the average cost of lasik eye surgery but don't make your decision relying simply on cost, ask your surgeon what is included and what is not included, what will you have to pay for if enhancement surgery becomes necessary or complication occur, and of course a good surgeon is better than a good price!
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