LASIK has been growing in popularity over the years because of the excellent results that it can achieve for patients. Of course, LASIK isn’t inexpensive, which is why many patients wonder about the cost of the procedure and if it is worth it in the end.

When you visit our eye care center for a consultation, we’ll be able to answer these matters in greater detail. Right now, we’d like to go over some of the basics of LASIK surgery and what it means for overall cost of treatment.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a refractive surgery in which the cornea is reshaped to address myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. When performed, LASIK helps eliminate or reduce dependence on corrective lenses.

Average Cost of LASIK

The average cost of LASIK can vary from practice to practice and from patient to patient based on a wide array of factors. Because of this, we don’t feel that posting a national average or even a price range would tell the whole story about LASIK surgery. When you meet with a laser eye surgeon, they will be able to give you a personal price quote with a breakdown of the total cost.

Factors Determining LASIK Cost

Some of the common factors that affect the cost of laser eye surgery include:

  • The geographic location of the practice
  • The complexity of the patient’s case
  • The surgeons at the practice and their credentials
  • Special technology and equipment
  • Discounts/promotions unique to a given LASIK center

Is LASIK cheaper than a lifetime of glasses and contact?

That depends on the patient, actually. Some cost estimates do find that LASIK is a savings in the long run given the cost of lenses, frames, contacts, and cleaning solution.

When you discuss your surgery options with your eye doctor, you can try to get a basic breakdown of LASIK cost versus the cost of traditional corrective lenses to see if there is a savings for you. Keep in mind that LASIK also affords patients freedom from lenses and frames, which is something that doesn’t have a monetary value.

Does insurance cover LASIK surgery?

It is very rare that health insurance will cover LASIK surgery since it is often considered an elective procedure rather than a medically necessary one. The only time LASIK would be covered by insurance is if a patient has certain injuries or deformities that would make wearing traditional lenses unfeasible. This obviously doesn’t apply to most of the population.

That said, we recommend that you speak with your eye care specialists as well as your health insurance provider just in case since policies and coverage will vary.

How Financing Options Work

One way that many patients pay for LASIK is through medical financing. This is similar to a loan or a credit card in many ways. A trusted third-party lender will pay for the total cost of surgery, and it will be up to the patient to pay back that loan (with interest) on a monthly basis. This often helps patients since they are able to budget by month.

Learn More About Your Vision Care Options

For more information about LASIK surgery and your many options out there for enhancing overall vision quality, be sure to contact our Austin laser vision correction center today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and discussing all of these matters in greater detail.