LASIK Eye Surgery Cost

• The cost of laser eye surgery, known as LASIK, varies widely from surgeon to surgeon, with a national average of about $1,950 per eye. Average prices do not vary much by geographic region, but minimum and maximum fees do. All About Vision^[1] provides a chart of regional cost differences.
• The cost of laser eye surgery also depends on whether your surgeon is performing traditional LASIK or the more expensive Custom LASIK, in which the doctor uses new technology to create a three-dimensional map of the patient's eye. This allows for a more precise vision correction and possibly lower chances of post-surgery complications. Most surgeons charge between $200 to $500 extra per eye for this.
• Also, if your surgeon uses IntraLase, another new technology, you can expect to pay an average of $344 more per eye. In IntraLase, the surgeon uses a laser, instead of a small metal blade, to cut a flap in the cornea where a laser is then used to reshape the cornea. Surgeons who use it say it provides a lower risk of complications and a better chance of achieving 20/20 vision.

• The International Society of Refractive Surgery gives a diagram, and an overview of the LASIK procedure, which takes about 30 minutes.

• Your surgeon should offer a series of follow-up visits as part of the total cost of the procedure. But, if something goes wrong and you need more visits or additional surgery not spelled out in your agreement, you will have to pay for it out-of-pocket.

• Many health insurance providers consider laser eye surgery a cosmetic procedure and do not cover the cost. But patients who pay for eye surgery out-of-pocket might be eligible for a tax deduction.
• Tip: Check to see whether your employer has negotiated a corporate discount with a certain provider on LASIK surgery for employees. If they have not, check with human resources to see if they would be willing to consider the possibility. Sometimes it is possible to get 10 to 25 percent off this way.

• Tip: Beware of advertisements that offer LASIK surgery at prices that seem too good to be true. Some LASIK providers have paid fines, after actions by state attorneys general, for false advertising of bargain-priced laser surgery that turned out to have hidden fees. When shopping for LASIK, always make sure that the quoted price includes regular follow-up visits and any medically necessary follow-up surgery needed in the first year. SeeWithLasik.com^[2] offers a guide for consumers on evaluating LASIK prices.
• Tip: Be aware that LASIK is not right for everyone - poor candidates include patients whose glasses or contact prescription fluctuates due to pregnancy or disease such as diabetes; athletes who regularly participate in contact sports; and patients with conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, that may interfere with healing.

1.  www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/cost.htm#reg
2.  www.seewithlasik.com/docs/lasik-costs.html

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does a Heart Stent Cost?		How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?		How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

In case signing up was a resolution, we cover the cost of diet plans. Need help uncovering your driveway? You may need a snow removal service. The CDC recommends it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year. Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Garden all winter long with an indoor greenhouse.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Radiologist Fee Paid: 350.00 Any radiologist reading your mammogram will be at least $350. They have 11-13 years of training after high school before they begin work. If they are not board certified, watch out. Most are and it beats getting cancer... [more] -Lowes Fan Mammogram Cost DIY Ceiling Paid: 50.00 We bought a house with a cheap paint job. The ceilings were sprayed the same color as the walls. During COVID I painted the ceilings and a bathroom. A 120 square foot room took me about 4 hours (2 coats)... [more] -Lowes Fan Painting an Interior Cost DIY vs Installed Small Deck Paid: 3000.00 We paid $1300 for materials and $1700 for labor on a 100 square foot composite deck plus a redwood gate. It took 30 hours, done last year. My husband built a 100 sf heart redwood deck for about $1000 in materials in 2019... [more] -Lowe's Fan Redwood Deck Cost Colposcopy with biopsy Paid: 756.00 This service was wayy to expensive in my opinion. For a 20-25 minute total visit I had to pay out of pocked 756 - 187 to OBGYN, 229 to pathologist, then 340$ for facility fee or the hospital. I don't even know what that charge was for... [more] -D S Colposcopy Cost Bilateral Diagnostic Mammogram and Third Mammogram Paid: 1389.66 My 2021 bill, still in shock! Weill Cornell, in-network provider, billed my insurance $908 for a bilateral diagnostic mammogram, and $712 for a third mammogram one breast... [more] -GinaF Mammogram Cost shoulder mri Paid: 8000.00 Seriously, 8K for an MRI before all the secret insurance kicks in. I was stuck with a 1200 bill and my insurance is pretty good. This is insane for a 20 minute procedure with no nurse assistance... [more] -stevej45 MRI Cost