LASIK surgery offers tremendous value, especially compared to the costs of glasses or contacts, yet some surgeons use deceptive tactics such as cheap advertising that conceal hidden expenses.
The experience and expertise of your surgeon are critical components in determining the overall cost of LASIK procedures; this should be communicated during your consultation appointment.
Costs of LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery is typically not covered by insurance as a cosmetic procedure. However, many LASIK centers or clinics provide financing options so patients can spread the cost over time and potentially experience significant savings by eliminating or reducing prescription glasses and contact lenses. This can help patients manage the expense associated with LASIK while potentially realizing significant cost-cutting benefits over time by eliminating or reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses altogether.
At your LASIK consultation, the surgeon will administer several tests to make sure you’re an ideal candidate for this procedure. These will assess the strength and stability of your vision and any medical conditions that could compromise its results. An ophthalmologist will test corneas to ensure LASIK can be safely conducted while mapping out your surface eyes to establish your refractive error.
As part of their evaluation to assess eligibility for LASIK surgery, an ophthalmologist will consider your desired level of vision correction and individual preferences when creating a price quote for the total cost of LASIK surgery; this estimate includes surgeon’s fee, facility fees, medication costs, etc. Furthermore, your surgeon may recommend “custom” LASIK techniques that cost slightly more than standard ones to accommodate more extensive prescriptions requiring fine-tuning laser procedures post-primary surgery.
Pre-Operative Tests
Your eye doctor will conduct an in-depth medical history review and screen for conditions that would disqualify you for LASIK surgery, including herpes infections, keratoconus, dry eyes, and other eye diseases. Furthermore, individuals suffering from diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or cataracts should discuss whether they would make suitable candidates for LASIK.
Before your pre-operative tests, you will be advised to refrain from wearing contact lenses for five to seven days; your ophthalmologist will inform you exactly how long this should last before surgery.
Your doctor will conduct the test by measuring corneal thickness and curvature, pupillary size in bright light and darkness conditions, and your refractive error. They’ll also check tear quality to assess any risk for dry eye syndrome.
Your consent form will also confirm that you understand the procedure and risks. On surgery day, arrange for transportation as you won’t be able to drive afterward; also, bring along your medical insurance card and prescription eye drops after surgery to aid healing; in most cases, you’ll reach your vision goals and no longer require glasses or contacts!
Post-Operative Tests
The doctor will perform a complete physical examination on both eyes at your eye exam. He or she will assess their overall health, evaluate cornea thickness, measure refractive error, and discuss any medical history or health complications you have that require medication or health conditions for treatment. All this data helps the physician formulate a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Before beginning the procedure, your doctor will administer eyedrops to numb your eyes and create a flap in your cornea using laser surgery to reshape tissue beneath. They then replace and secure this flap before giving eyedrops as a preventative measure against infection or inflammation.
After surgery, you will need to wear an eye shield or patch and avoid rubbing them, as this can cause irritation and blurriness of vision. Sleep is also highly beneficial as this will speed your recovery.
After your surgery, arrange to be driven home. Staying home for at least 24 hours afterward is ideal as the numbing eyedrops take time to wear off – this will speed up recovery and comfort. Arrange some time off work to rest later; taking 2-3 hour naps may significantly ease discomfort afterward.
Surgeon Fees
Surgery fees comprise a considerable portion of overall costs, so you must research to find an experienced surgeon to deliver quality care. Cheap rates might tempt patients, but be wary – often, these deals include hidden fees or qualifying factors that cost more. You should also investigate their experience, including participation in FDA clinical studies or published research related to LASIK surgery.
LASIK surgery costs vary significantly based on its type. Newer technologies require more expensive equipment and training, making them more costly than older methods. It would be best to determine whether your preferred procedure uses all laser, bladeless, or wavefront technology (custom).
The cost of LASIK puts off some patients, but it is essential to remember that this procedure could save money regarding eye care and prescription eyewear expenses. Furthermore, many clinics and surgery centers offer financing plans which allow you to pay a small upfront payment before spreading payments over an agreed-upon timeline – making the surgery seem much more manageable and helping you reach your vision goals without incurring significant upfront costs.
Insurance
Health insurance plans may cover costs associated with LASIK surgery depending on their coverage and type, though typically not vision insurance such as VSP or EyeMed plans, nor medical goals that cover a patient’s health care. This is likely because LASIK is considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary by most individuals and should, therefore, not be considered “medically necessary”.
Even so, many insurance companies have partnered with LASIK providers to offer discounted pricing for their policyholders. These discounts could save 20%-50% off the average LASIK cost per eye!
One strategy to reduce LASIK costs is using tax-advantaged tools such as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA). These accounts allow you to save pre-tax money that can be applied towards medical expenses like LASIK surgery.
U-M Credit Union’s rewards card also offers low or no-interest financing options to make LASIK more affordable, with payments broken down into manageable monthly installments and no additional upfront cost. Be wary of places offering LASIK for less than several hundred dollars as these prices often include initial consultations and follow-up visits that may be included as part of their surgery fee; consult a financial advisor or your LASIK provider to develop a plan tailored specifically to fit within your budget.
Financing
Depending on your financial situation, financing solutions may be tailored to fit. Aside from insurance and FSA accounts, many practices also provide payment plans to patients needing additional help.
Some of these options can be very lucrative. For instance, LASIK surgery can be covered through your employer’s flexible spending account (FSA), which allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses like LASIK. You can spend up to your plan’s limit each year, saving approximately 30% off its total cost.
Another financing solution may be taking out a personal loan or credit card to divide up the costs of your LASIK surgery into manageable monthly payments that fit within your budget. Be wary when selecting this form of credit; specific lenders charge additional fees if your balance remains unpaid by the end of its financing term.
Some LASIK providers also provide in-house financing programs to simplify managing your procedure’s costs. These companies often work with major financial institutions specializing in financing elective courses, providing lower interest rates than those with credit cards and more extended repayment periods – meaning no added charges on debt payments!