Laser eye surgery pricing: What to know
If you're looking into laser eye surgery, the cost is probably going to be one of your main concerns. Surgery is a significant investment, and you want to be sure the price you’re quoted is reasonable for your budget and eye care needs.
Cost can vary a lot from one procedure to another. Pricing typically depends on:
- The type of eye surgery and its complexity
- The surgeon's level of skill and experience
- The technology used
- Your vision and eye health needs
- Your location
- Whether you have insurance that will help cover the procedure
Lasers can be used to treat or correct:
- Refractive errors
- Cataracts and complications from cataract surgery
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration and other conditions that affect the retina
To most people, laser eye surgery usually means LASIK and similar optional procedures that correct vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness.
But doctors also use lasers to treat eye conditions and diseases. For cataracts, they might use lasers to assist in aspects of traditional cataract surgery. For glaucoma, they use special lasers to help fluid drain better from the eye. And for retinal problems, they may use thermal lasers to seal leaking blood vessels.
Below, we provide average prices for common laser refractive eye surgeries and medically necessary surgeries, along with more information about the factors that can influence their cost.
Refractive laser surgery cost comparison
Refractive laser surgery corrects vision issues caused by refractive errors. These include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Refractive eye surgery works by making adjustments to the cornea or crystalline lens so that light focuses properly on the retina at the back of the eye.
Each type of refractive laser surgery uses a different method to help you achieve clear vision. Your eye doctor may recommend a procedure based on the type and severity of your refractive error, your eye health, and other relevant factors.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK is a common refractive surgery that uses a laser to create a flap in the cornea and then reshape its tissue. Doing so allows the cornea to focus light more effectively on the retina.
The national average cost for LASIK surgery is around $2,600 per eye.
Laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)
Similar to LASIK, LASEK uses a laser to sculpt the cornea and improve its ability to bend light. The difference between the procedures is in how the corneal flap is made.
LASEK uses an alcohol solution on the epithelium of the cornea (its outermost layer). Then, a surgical spatula is used to detach the epithelium and move it away from the area that will be reshaped with the laser.
The average cost of LASEK is approximately $1,500 per eye.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
PRK differs from LASIK and LASEK in that the outermost layer of the cornea is removed instead of creating a flap. This is done using a laser, solution or surgical tool, then a laser makes changes in the corneal tissue. The epithelium grows back a few days after surgery.
PRK laser surgery costs approximately $2,500 per eye.
Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)
This procedure consists of a laser removing a disc-like piece of tissue, called a lenticule, from the deeper layers of the cornea. First, a tiny incision is made in the outer layer of the cornea. Then, the surgeon removes the lenticule through this incision, effectively reshaping the cornea.
You may find prices around $2,500 per eye for SMILE refractive surgery.
Comparing cataract laser surgery cost
Laser-assisted cataract surgery, such as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), allows more precision and has some potential benefits over traditional cataract surgery.
During laser-assisted surgery for cataracts, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to map out incision details such as size, location and shape before making the tiny incisions. The surgeon manually removes the cloudy lens through those incisions and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
If the patient also has some level of astigmatism, the laser may be used to resurface the cornea during the procedure to correct it.
The average out-of-pocket cost for laser-assisted cataract surgery is $4,000 to $6,000 per eye. While Medicare insurance covers traditional cataract surgery, it may not cover laser-assisted surgery. Discuss these details with your surgeon to better understand what you need and how much it may cost.
Glaucoma laser surgery cost comparison
Glaucoma is a condition characterized by optic nerve damage. It is frequently associated with elevated eye pressure, which can result from issues with the eye’s drainage system.
Laser surgery for glaucoma may be necessary when eye drops aren’t working well enough to manage the condition. These surgeries can lower the pressure in your eye, potentially saving vision by creating better drainage or reducing fluid production Your eye doctor will recommend the surgery most appropriate for your condition.
Laser trabeculoplasty
Several types of glaucoma surgery, called laser trabeculoplasty, use a laser to improve drainage function and reduce pressure within the eye. More commonly performed on people with open-angle glaucoma, there two types of trabeculoplasty: Argon laser (ALT) and selective laser (SLT).
The national average cost for laser trabeculoplasty can range between around $130 and $530 per eye.
Laser peripheral iridotomy
During this procedure, the surgeon uses a laser to make a tiny incision in the colored part of the eye (the iris). This lowers eye pressure by giving eye fluid an outlet through which to drain. It is often performed on people with angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma.
The average cost of laser peripheral iridotomy is around $180 to $530 per eye.
Cyclophotocoagulation
This procedure uses a laser to send energy to the ciliary processes, ridges in the ciliary body that produce the aqueous humor. The aqueous is the fluid in the front of the eye that helps maintain the eye’s shape and pressure.
The laser causes the ciliary processes to shrink, reducing fluid production and lowering eye pressure. Laser cyclophotocoagulation is usually reserved for people with advanced glaucoma who have already had other procedures.
The national average cost of laser cyclophotocoagulation ranges from $1,300 to $2,600 per eye but can vary depending on the type of procedure performed.
Other laser eye surgeries and average cost
Over time, surgeons have started to use lasers to assist different types of eye surgery. Photocoagulation is a common laser surgery used to treat conditions that affect the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina).
Photocoagulation
Photocoagulation is a common procedure that uses a laser to make tiny burns in the retina. This creates scar tissue that:
- Helps seal off unhealthy areas of the retina
- Stops abnormal blood vessels from growing or leaking
- Prevents additional complications
This surgery can be used to treat conditions that affect the retina, including retinal tears, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.
The average cost for laser photocoagulation is between $740 and $2,400.
If retinal laser eye surgery is considered medically necessary, Medicare and other insurance providers are more likely to help cover the cost. The amount your insurance will cover depends on several factors, so it’s best to discuss these details with your insurance provider.
Cost calculators
Different websites offer cost calculators to help give you an idea of how much your laser eye surgery will cost on average. You can get this information by selecting a category, like eye surgery, and a subcategory, like LASIK. The calculator will use this information to provide an average expected cost for the procedure.
Payment plans
Once you have the average cost of the procedure, some websites offer a payment plan calculator. This type of calculator usually asks for the following information:
- The procedure cost
- The percentage that your insurance will likely cover
- How much of a down payment you have
- How long you want to finance the procedure (how many months you’ll take to pay it off)
Using your input, the calculator will tell you how much a monthly payment would be when paid off over a specific period of time.
Lifetime cost of refractive surgery vs. eyewear
Some sites have a cost savings calculator that determines how much money you’d save in the long run by getting refractive eye surgery. To calculate, the tool will ask for:
- Your age
- The type of corrective eyewear you currently use (glasses or contacts)
- How much you typically pay for your eyewear
They use this information to predict how much you can expect to spend on glasses or contacts in a lifetime. This amount is compared to the cost of corrective surgery.
Cost calculators are beneficial because they can help consumers plan for their investments. Having a quote, comparing it to alternatives and being aware of payment plans can help consumers make an informed decision.
Contributors to laser eye surgery cost
Fees associated with laser eye surgery can vary. One reason for this is that different providers perform varying levels of preoperative testing. Proper screening can avoid post-operative complications. It's important to determine if all appropriate pre-testing is included in a quoted price.
Wide variation also exists in the cost of equipment used for testing and surgery. The procedure fee may include the use of:
- Eye tracking technology
- Tear film analysis
- Corneal thickness measurement
- Corneal topography and pupil size measurement
- The laser and other surgical instruments
In addition to the surgeon's fees for performing the procedure, eye surgery comes with a variety of other costs, including:
- The surgical center in which the procedure is performed
- The surgical technique used to complete the procedure
- The type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose (for cataract surgery)
You should also expect fees for:
- The pre-op evaluation meeting
- Your comprehensive eye examination, including technician time and equipment costs
- Follow-up office visits and tests
- Any medications
Many surgeons also offer free LASIK enhancement surgery if it is warranted. Often a team of doctors reviews your case to determine if this is necessary, and their time is included in the fee.
9 important questions to ask your surgeon about procedure prices
When discussing fees with your surgeon, ask:
- Do you accept my insurance?
- What is included in the cost of the procedure?
- What is not covered in the cost?
- May I have a written quote with everything itemized?
- Is the price quoted for one eye or both eyes? (Technically, one procedure equals one eye, even if both eyes will be corrected on the same day.)
- What will I have to pay for if complications occur or enhancement surgery becomes necessary?
- What will be the cost of prescription medications (such as anti-inflammatories and painkillers)?
- 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 are all pre-operative and post-operative appointments included in the price?
It’s wise to contact your insurance provider to find out how much of the procedure they will pay for. Doing so can avoid miscommunication on what is and isn’t covered.
What else you need to know about laser eye surgery prices
After you get the pricing information from your eye surgeon, do some extra research to determine:
- If the quote falls within typical ranges
- If the quote is significantly higher than usual. If so, does your eye surgeon have exceptional credentials that help justify the higher price?
- If the quote is significantly lower than usual. If so, is your eye surgeon relatively inexperienced? Are you being quoted the full price?
When a surgical center quotes a single price for all procedures regardless of technology or individual prescription, ask for more details, including:
- Whether you will receive a laser-created flap
- Whether your procedure will be wavefront-guided
- What factors do affect the price
This information will help you compare the type of procedure you receive with the average prices provided.
Ask questions and do your research
Whether you’re considering laser surgery to treat AMD or correct astigmatism, it’s important to do proper research before scheduling a procedure. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with prices and details of different procedures, surgeons and insurance coverage. However, understanding the most important points can help ensure you get the best option for your needs at the best value.
Asking questions, taking notes and getting a second opinion can help you make an informed decision about your eye and vision health.
