How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?
How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?
$1,000 – $4,000 average cost (per eye)
$2,000 – $8,000 average cost (both eyes)
Average cost for LASIK
LASIK eye surgery costs $1,000 to $4,000 per eye without insurance, or $2,000 to $8,000 on average for both eyes. LASIK is a surgical treatment that uses laser technology to fix common vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Since it's an elective surgery, most insurance policies don't cover LASIK.
| National Average Cost | $2,500 |
| Minimum Cost | $250 |
| Maximum Cost | $4500 |
| Average Range | $1,000 to $4,000 per eye* |
*Without insurance
What is LASIK eye surgery?
During LASIK eye surgery, the doctor uses a blade or laser to create a flap on the surface of the cornea. Then they use laser energy to reshape the eye and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
LASIK cannot treat severe near or farsightedness, so some patients need either implantable contact lens (ICL) or refractive lens exchange (RLE). Both of these surgeries cost more than LASIK.
What is included?
The specific services covered in your LASIK bill vary by surgeon and location, but most will include:
Initial consultation and eye exam
Surgeon fees
Post-operation exams
Post-op eye drops
Follow-up appointments
LASIK cost factors
These factors influence the cost of LASIK the most:
Surgery type: Traditional LASIK uses a blade to make the incision, but many doctors use bladeless LASIK technology now. Custom LASIK surgery costs the most and includes using Wavefront technology to create an in-depth map of the patient's cornea, which takes longer than standard LASIK surgeries.
Location: Patients in areas with a higher cost of living typically pay more for elective procedures like LASIK.
Overhead: If your doctor doesn't own the laser equipment and pays to lease it instead, you may pay a little more.
Demand: Well-known or highly experienced doctors may charge more.
Additional treatment: About 5% of LASIK patients need slight fine-tuning after their surgery, which costs extra.
Prescription: Your eyesight shouldn't affect how much your surgery costs if it's within a certain range. LASIK prices are usually a flat fee, but some doctors charge more for extreme cases.
LASIK eye surgery FAQs
Does insurance cover LASIK?
Insurance plans typically don't cover LASIK because it's an elective surgery. However, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA) to set aside money to use on elective procedures. January is a popular time for LASIK because patients can access their FSA funds at the beginning of the year.
Some institutions offer financing plans with $0 down and 0% interest for up to two years and extended plans for 4 to 5 years. One such business is Care Credit, which specializes in financing elective operations.
How long does LASIK last?
LASIK surgery is permanent and lasts a lifetime. Some believe LASIK only lasts 10 years or a limited time period, but it does not wear off. Some patients may experience worsening vision from conditions such as cataracts or presbyopia, but they are unrelated.
The cost of LASIK equates to about 8 to 10 years' worth of frames, contacts, lens solution, prescription sunglasses, and eye exams.
Can LASIK fix astigmatism?
Yes, LASIK can fix astigmatism. Most of the time, the surgery completely corrects astigmatism, but sometimes patients with more severe cases will need a follow-up appointment to fine-tune the adjustment.
Is LASIK safe?
LASIK has a complication rate of less than 1%, making it one of the safest elective surgeries available. In comparison, contacts cause 3 times as many cases of eye inflammation as LASIK per year. You'll need a numbing shot or drops before the procedure, but LASIK itself should not hurt.
How long does LASIK take?
LASIK takes 15 to 30 minutes, and the doctor often spends less than a minute performing the actual laser correction. The entire procedure, including the pre-op checkup and recovery, takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Getting estimates from LASIK providers
When looking for a doctor to perform your LASIK surgery, keep these guidelines in mind:
Get a referral from friends, family, or your optometrist.
Read patient reviews on websites like BetterCare and Google.
Look for board-certified ophthalmologists.
Ask if they offer free virtual or in-person consultations.
Ask for a written, itemized quote.
Questions to ask LASIK surgeons
Asking these questions can help you choose the best person available to perform your surgery and ensure it's done right:
How long have you been performing LASIK eye surgeries?
Do you own or lease the equipment?
Are you board-certified?
Do you offer virtual or in-person consultations? Do you charge for that?
Am I a candidate for this procedure?
Can you walk me through the process?
How much will this cost? Is that per eye or for both eyes?
How long will the procedure take?
How many post-op appointments will I need? Are they covered in your price?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.