Cost of LASIK and Other
Corrective Eye Surgery

By Liz Segre, with updates by Marilyn Haddrill;
reviewed by Robert L. Epstein, MD

The cost of LASIK differs widely from one provider to another and depends on many factors. The only universal standard is that LASIK and other refractive surgery prices are quoted per eye (as we do in this article).

Remember that one LASIK procedure equals only one eye even if both eyes are corrected on the same day. So the price quoted for a procedure doubles if you intend to have both eyes corrected.

LASIK surgeons also might add extra charges for new technologies, including wavefront analysis for extra precise corrections (custom wavefront LASIK).

You also might be charged extra for all-laser or bladeless LASIK (IntraLase and other technologies), a LASIK procedure in which a laser is used instead of a bladed instrument to create the flap on the front of the eye. In LASIK, this thin flap is lifted so that laser energy can be applied to shape the eye, and then replaced to serve as a natural bandage.

Average LASIK Costs

A report commissioned by AllAboutVision.com from a leading industry analyst was based on results of a survey of refractive surgeons conducted during the first quarter of 2009. Average LASIK costs were:

• $2,140 for all laser-based vision correction procedures (including LASIK) in which a single price is quoted.
• $1,748 for non-customized LASIK using a bladed instrument (microkeratome) and excimer lasers that are not guided by wavefront analysis.
• $2,314 for wavefront-guided LASIK using a laser-created flap.

Note that there can be wide variation in what an advertised price will include. Beware of advertising that, for example, promises "LASIK from $499 per eye." Look for the fine print. Typically, only a few select people are actually eligible for LASIK at prices that sound unusually low, because most eyes require more extensive correction or more follow-up after the surgery.

Average LASIK prices have not risen substantially in several years. That trend continued in 2009, no doubt because of the generally poor state of the U.S. economy. Many potential laser eye surgery candidates appear for now to be choosing more economical vision correction choices such as eyeglasses or contact lenses until the economy heats up again.

Certain average LASIK prices in 2009 were slightly higher than in 2008, but only by one or two percentage points. In fact, the average price for wavefront-guided LASIK using a laser-created flap on the eye dipped slightly from $2,341 in 2008 to $2,314 in 2009.

Many more eye surgeons (47.2 percent) now quote a single price for LASIK or similar vision correction procedures than in 2008 (39.5 percent). This means new technologies such as customized wavefront procedures and laser-created flaps are not priced separately and charged as "extras," in addition to a basic fee for a laser vision correction procedure.

In previous years, you might have been able to find a few eye surgeons willing to charge less than $1,000 per eye for LASIK and other procedures. But the newest 2009 AllAboutVision.com report indicates that most eye surgeons have backed off entirely from charging prices that low.

But on the flip side of that trend, fewer eye surgeons are charging the highest prices in typical ranges quoted for vision correction surgery.

Non-customized procedures are performed with the less expensive options of bladed microkeratomes and excimer lasers that are not guided by wavefront analysis. Most customized wavefront procedures that also use laser-created flaps cost from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye (see charts below).

The cost of LASIK and other vision correction surgery remained stable in 2009 because of the major economic downturn that began in late 2008.

As an example, LCA-Vision Inc. (Cincinnati) officials in June 2009 reported that procedure volumes at the company's 75 LASIKPlus vision correction surgery centers in the U.S. and Canada had declined by 45 percent compared with the previous year. But they noted that the economy's impact was worse in late 2008, and that year-over-year comparisons might improve as the year progressed.

As predicted, the decline in procedure volumes toward the end of 2009 was not as severe as it was during the first half of the year. LCA-Vision Inc. company reports for the first three quarters of 2009 showed that procedure volumes had dropped by 36.2 percent compared with the same time period in 2008.

LCA-Vision Inc. in late 2009 had 71 centers still operating, but announced plans to close 10 that were less profitable.

TLCVision Corp. (St. Louis), which also operates vision correction surgical centers nationally, reported a 38 percent decline in procedure volume during the first quarter of 2009 and a 32 percent decline during the first three quarters of 2009.

Many surgical centers hurt by low demand for LASIK and other procedures now are expanding cataract surgery offerings to help increase profitability.

Beware of "Bargain" Prices for LASIK

When you deal with centers and surgeons that advertise LASIK surgery at bargain prices far below what is mentioned above, you would be wise to ask plenty of questions related to what a procedure actually costs beyond what is advertised. Be sure to ask for an estimate, in writing, that details exactly what you are getting for that low price.

As an example, Florida's Attorney General in November 2005 announced a settlement with Lasik Vision Institute for allegedly misrepresenting the actual cost of eye surgeries as stated in the company's advertisements. One dispute in the case involved non-refundable deposits, even when an individual opted not to have surgery.

Based on these types of isolated incidents, make sure you clearly know what the total cost of the procedure will or could be, including surgeon and facility fees and any other extras. One advertised price represented as a "bargain" might include those types of extra costs, while another might not.

LASIK Prices

LASIK prices, after rising for several years, seemed to stabilize from 2006 to 2009. Industry sources report that the average LASIK price in late 2006 was about $1,950. In 2007, LASIK and laser-based procedures charged at a single price (no extra charges added on for new technologies) cost an average of $2,099. And at prices reported in 2008, the average rose only slightly, to $2,105. The average LASIK price reported in 2009 was $2,140 (see charts below).

In comparison, LASIK in 2002 was $1,550-$1,600; by October 2003 it had risen to $1,710; at the end of 2004, it was a little over $1,800; and in 2005 it was $1,965. These averages take into account procedures performed at surgeon-owned laser centers, institutions, and corporate laser centers. Also, keep in mind that earlier prices do not reflect new technologies of wavefront analysis and laser-created flaps, which have been adopted for widespread use only in recent years.

TLC Laser Eye Centers reported an average per-procedure fee of $2,000 in early 2008, 2007 and 2006. In 2002, the average procedure fee was $1,800.

At TLC, an extra charge of $350 to $650 per eye is added for wavefront analysis combined with an IntraLase laser-created flap. The company's 2007 annual report released in early 2008 indicated that customized all-laser LASIK can cost as much as $2,700 per eye at a TLC center.

In late 2009, TLC announced that prices per procedure had dropped but did not specify by how much.

LasikPlus (LCA-Vision) reported in early 2008 that its per-procedure prices at various centers had increased about 7 percent, from $1,387 in 2006 to $1,481 in 2007 — partly due to the addition of IntraLase laser-created flaps in LASIK procedures.

But in late 2009 company reports, LCA-Vision noted an overall decrease of 1.8 percent in per procedure income compared with the first three quarters of 2008. The annual average revenue per procedure through Sept. 30, 2009 was $1,756, compared with $1,788 for the same time period in 2008.

Following is a chart of average LASIK prices, per eye, as reported in 2009 by a leading industry analyst.

Average LASIK prices rose for several years early in the decade, partly because of demand and an increasing number of LASIK procedures. However, industry reports indicate that the number of LASIK procedures performed annually in the United States had stabilized in the past few years at around 1.4 million until a meltdown in the U.S. economy beginning in 2008.

Citing information from a leading industry analyst, company reports from LASIK providers note that 1 million LASIK procedures were performed in 2008 and 700,000 procedures were expected to be performed in 2009.

New Technology Increases LASIK Cost

You usually can expect higher LASIK prices when you add these two newer options:

• "Custom" or "wavefront" LASIK, which is often more expensive than traditional LASIK. (See below for custom LASIK pricing, and refer to our custom wavefront LASIK article for an explanation of the procedure.)
• Laser flap technology, which increases procedure cost (see charts below).

LASIK with IntraLase and similar laser flap-making technologies, a procedure in which the surgeon creates the LASIK flap with a laser rather than a microkeratome, typically costs more than traditional LASIK. IntraLase reported in early 2007 that the average extra cost per eye added onto a LASIK procedure for use of IntraLase was $394.

Later in 2007, Advanced Medical Optics (now Abbott Medical Optics) acquired IntraLase and incorporated the technology into the company's wavefront-guided excimer laser platform. The total system now is marketed under one name, iLASIK.

Those surgeons who use laser-made flaps in LASIK cite studies that show patients have fewer flap complications, need fewer retreatments and have a greater likelihood of achieving 20/20 visual acuity or better.

Not all eye surgeons agree that laser-made flaps are superior, and the merits of blade versus bladeless LASIK continue to be debated.

Custom LASIK, which involves using wavefront technology to measure and map the aberrations and vision problems that occur when the eye fails to focus light rays correctly, also usually costs more than traditional LASIK.

As noted above, many eye surgeons don't charge a separate fee for new technologies used in LASIK, and instead quote their price as a single fee.

 

 

We found several sources for pricing information:

• In 2009, AllAboutVision.com commissioned a report from a leading industry analyst who found that wavefront LASIK combined with IntraLase and similar technologies costs an average of $2,314, compared with $1,748 for conventional LASIK. This is a price difference of $565 per eye between the two procedures. Note that 2009 prices are slightly lower for wavefront-guided all-laser LASIK, and slightly higher for conventional LASIK.
• A March 2007 TLC Laser Eye Centers report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the company's range of charges was $350 to $500 extra per eye for wavefront analysis (custom LASIK) combined with IntraLase. For a three-month period covering July through September, TLC in its late 2007 quarterly report noted increased refractive surgery center revenues of 13 percent compared with the same three-month period the previous year. The number of procedures grew at a rate of 7 percent during the same time period. The report says the extra increase in revenues was due to people opting for higher-priced procedures during 2007 — just prior to the 2008 economic meltdown. TLC in late 2009 reported that procedure prices have declined, but did not specify by how much.
• In late 2009 reports to the SEC, LCA-Vision said the company's annual average revenue per procedure was $1,756 at LASIKPlus centers.
• In 2009, it was much more difficult to find specific advertised LASIK prices online. Instead, surgical centers marketed incentives such as $200 off coupons and low interest financing.

Prices for Other Types of Eye Surgery

Below are typical prices, per eye, for other types of refractive eye surgery. As with LASIK, the prices vary based on many factors, including your individual prescription, where you live, and which surgeon you choose.

• CK: $1,500 to $2,900
• PRK, Epi-LASIK and LASEK: about the same as LASIK
• Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): $2,500 to $4,500 per eye or more, depending on extra costs such as facility fees

What Contributes to Cost

One reason fees vary widely is that different providers perform varying levels of preoperative testing. Since proper screening can avoid problems, it's important to determine if appropriate testing is included in a quoted price.

If you are considering LASIK or other laser-based corrective eye surgery, you are more likely to encounter multiple charges reflecting different technologies used for your procedure.
 
These technologies can include a laser to create a flap on your eye's surface and wavefront analysis for guiding the way a laser reshapes your eye.
 
But about 47.2 percent of eye surgeons will charge you a single price that already incorporates use of these technologies.

There's also a wide variation in the cost of equipment used for testing and surgery. Technologies for eye tracking, tear film analysis, and measurements of corneal thickness, corneal topography and pupil size, as well as the laser itself, are available at various price points; and can be reflected in the procedure fee.

Refractive surgery fees cover a variety of costs, including:

• Purchase or lease and maintenance of the laser, microkeratome and/or other devices used in the procedure.
• A $100 to $150 per eye royalty fee to the excimer laser manufacturer, who must recoup the cost to develop the machine.
• A $145 to $250 per eye royalty fee if it is a custom procedure, depending on the laser manufacturer.
• Gowns, masks, gloves and other items for keeping the operation sterile.
• Microkeratome blades, surgical solutions and medications used during the surgery.
• With IntraLase, disposable equipment that includes a metal cone and glass lens connecting the laser to the treated eye.
• Overhead for the surgery center, which includes office and surgical staff salaries and benefits, rent, office equipment, and office administration.
• Patient acquisition costs, which include advertising, seminars, and fees paid to other eye care practitioners for comanagement.
• Insurance.
• And, especially, "the surgeon," who is the single most important part of any surgical procedure.

Also included in most fees are the pre-op evaluation meeting, comprehensive eye examination (including technician time and equipment costs), follow-up office visits and tests, plus any standard medications.

Many surgeons also offer free "enhancement" surgery if it is warranted. Often a team of doctors reviews your case to determine this, and their time is included in the fee.

Questions for Your Surgeon

When discussing fees with your surgeon, ask:

• What is included?
• What is not included?
• What will I have to pay for if complications occur or enhancement surgery becomes necessary?
• How much do prescription medications (such as anti-inflammatories or painkillers) cost?
• If I require temporary contact lenses or glasses after the procedure, how much will they cost?
• How many follow-up visits will I need to make, and at what cost?

Defraying Eye Surgery Cost: Insurance and Financing

Most vision insurance plans don't cover refractive surgery because they consider it cosmetic. However, some employers make arrangements with a given LASIK center (or refractive surgery center) for a special price. Also, you may qualify for a tax deduction for refractive surgery, so check with an accountant.

You may be tempted to choose a surgeon based only on the fee charged, but that can turn out to be unwise. It's better to choose the best surgeon you can find and then, if you need it, get the most affordable financing you can. Think of it this way: If you choose Surgeon A who charges $400 less than Surgeon B, but you know that Surgeon B has more experience, you are risking your vision for the sake of $1 per day over the course of 13 months. Is the higher risk really worth the monetary savings?

Financing is available for LASIK and other vision surgeries. Several financing companies specialize in elective procedures and offer plans with fixed rates and long-term payments. Most LASIK surgery centers and private medical practices work with one of these companies to offer a financing plan to their patients.

Note that some large companies offer subsidized health plans that cover at least part of LASIK costs. If you work for a major company, ask about possible benefits that might cover elective corrective eye surgery procedures.

Also, the U.S. military has been making LASIK and other corrective vision surgery options more available to troops. The procedures may be performed free of charge, depending on the nature of a soldier's duties.

[Page updated January 15, 2010]