Laser Eye Surgery Cost On The Rise?

Laser eye surgery cost has steadily increased in recent years. This is only natural given the amazing advancement in surgery technology. There is a variation in cost from center to center and some homework for you to perform before you decide on your surgery.

You need to be wary of bargain basement surgery prices being advertised as there are hidden factors usually associated with them. Prices quoted for less than $1000 per eye should be treated on face value as in many instances, factors such as eligibility to have the surgery performed at these low prices will depend largely on stringent qualifying rules. In fact, reality is that only a very small percentage of laser eye surgery cost will be offered or performed at under four figures.

The Rise In Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Cost

LASIK laser eye surgery cost has been on a constant increase. Just to get an idea, here is what a refractive industry reported on the average price of this type of procedure:

In 2002, the average LASIK laser eye surgery cost ranged between $1,550 and $1,600.
By October 2003, it had already increased to approximately $1,710.
At the end of 2004, LASIK laser eye surgery cost raised above $1,800.
In the first half of 2005, the average price was $1,965.

These figures include several types of businesses, from individual surgeons use rented equipment to those who own it and from regional clinical centers to nationwide eye surgery provider networks.

TLC Laser Eye Centers, a leading LASIK provider, had an average price of $1,800 in 2002. At the end of 2004, the average LASIK laser eye surgery cost rose to $1,957 and at the beginning of 2005 the price was $1,983.

LasikPlus, another famous nationwide provider, reported an average price of $1,344 per eye in 2005, which is slightly lower than $1,351 at the end of 2004, but much higher than $1,173 at the beginning of 2003.

More Eye Surgery Cost Estimates

Other types of eye surgery have different prices, also varying upon many factors, such as individual prescription, the surgeon you choose and the place where you live. Here are the average prices per eye for other common eye surgery procedures:

Corneal inserts: $2,800 to $3,800
CK: $1,200 to $2,500
PRK: $1,000 to $1,800
LASEK: approximately the same prices as for LASIK

Technology Is Pushing Up The Price?

Laser eye surgery procedures that use new technologies are also more expensive. In LASIK with IntraLase, the surgeon cuts a flap form the cornea with a laser, not a microkeratome. The price is generally higher than for regular LASIK procedure, increasing with $250 - $500 per eye. The increase is partly explained by the fact that the surgeon has to cover the cost for the system. Patients paying for this procedure are said to have less flap complications, require less treatments after surgery and have as better chance to achieve a 20/20 or even higher acuity.

Financing is available to help you reduce laser eye surgery cost. There are many financing companies specialized in elective procedures which offer plans with long-term payments and fixed rates. Many laser eye surgery centers and private surgeons work with one of such companies to be able to offer more affordable financing plans to their patients.

In the end, the decision to have laser eye surgery should only be made after a rigorous qualifying process. First of all, you need to weigh up the risks associated with such a procedure. The good news is, if you are not suitable for laser eye surgery, then this will be bourne out during the interview stage. If you do qualify, then laser eye surgery cost will be a major factor in determining whether you actually go ahead with the procedure.