What Goes into the Cost of LASIK?

The costs for laser vision correction procedures can vary quite a bit. There’s several different factors that go into the price of LASIK eye surgery. The main three are the skill of the surgeon, how much vision correction is needed, and what types of laser vision correction technology is used.

1. Skilled LASIK Eye Surgeons Cost More

Just like with many other specialty medical procedures, the more highly skilled doctors demand a higher price. This is because they often have more training and experience than their less-skilled counterparts, all of which required additional time and expense to acquire. Similarly, the area the doctor practices in can impact the price of surgery. If the cost of overhead is greater where they practice, the doctor may charge more to cover expenses. While you may be tempted to skimp on a highly trained doctor to drive down LASIK costs, this is one expense you’ll want to pay. Better eye surgeons are better equipped to deal with your unique eyes. If the procedure is done well, you’ll need less follow-up appointments and may see better overall results. Additionally, doctors offering cheaper LASIK procedures may try to make up the difference with additional fees associated with the procedure that would normally be included in the cost of service.

2. Poorer Eyesight is More Expensive to Fix

Just as more advanced glasses or contact lens prescriptions are more expensive to fill, eyes that require a lot of vision correction will cost more to fix. LASIK works by reshaping the cornea to better focus light. The worse your eyesight is, the more involved your laser vision correction procedure may be. This cost factor in particular will vary patient-by-patient and isn’t something that can usually be reduced. Additionally, attempting to reduce the costs of LASIK by getting the procedure before your eyes worsen is not recommended. Alabama Vision Center typically only considers individuals with stable prescriptions (no change in the last year) as candidates for LASIK. This ensures you get the most benefit out of your laser vision correction.

3. What Type of LASIK You Get Influences Cost

When patients think about LASIK, they usually are thinking about the Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis. This procedure involves shaping the cornea tissue, the outermost layer of the eye, to better focus light into the back of the eye, the retina. While this surgery is certainly one of the most common laser vision correction procedures, it isn’t the only one. Different laser vision correction eye surgeries are better for different eye conditions and use different technology. Additionally, they may have different costs associated with them.

Other types of laser vision correction include photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and presbyopic lens exchange (PRELEX). PRK is very similar to LASIK in that it reshapes the cornea using lasers, but only the surface of the cornea. PRK is best suited to people needing mild vision correction for astigmatism, and near or farsightedness. PRELEX involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with a multifocal lens to treat presbyopia. LASIK itself is best suited to patients that have moderate to severe near or farsightedness and astigmatism. 

Alabama Vision Center only uses the latest in laser vision correction technology to best meet our patients needs. However, depending on your unique eye condition, our eye doctors may recommend a different vision correction procedure to help you achieve your best possible vision. To find out which vision correction solution is the right fit for you, schedule a consultation with one of our Birmingham area eye surgeons.

Paying for LASIK Eye Surgery

Now that you know more about what goes into the price of LASIK, you may be wondering how to pay for it. Alabama Vision Center knows how important clear vision is to quality of life. Unfortunately, it is not typical for eye insurance to cover LASIK, as it’s considered an elective surgery. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing multiple ways to make laser vision correction affordable.

Using Your HSA to Pay for LASIK

While most vision insurance plans won’t cover the cost of LASIK, it is considered a healthcare eligible expense for your health savings account.  If you have an HSA, you can use the pre-tax dollars in your account to pay for your LASIK surgery!

Using Your FSA to Pay for LASIK

Like HSAs, LASIK surgery is considered a qualified healthcare expense you can use your FSA dollars on. Considering most flexible spending account funds do not roll over year to year, getting LASIK may be the perfect way to get clear vision and spend your leftover funds. To learn more about how you can use your FSA and HSAs to pay for eye care expenses at Alabama Vision Center, check out our guide to FSA and HSA vision expenses.