Eye-opening facts about the cost and long-term benefits of LASIK eye surgery
LASIK eye surgery has proven itself to be a safe, reliable procedure for permanently correcting poor eyesight. However, the thought of the expense still makes people think twice before getting the process started. If you have always dreamed of ditching your glasses and contact lenses for good but balk at the expense, you may be surprised to learn the real story on laser eye surgery cost.
The Average LASIK Eye Surgery Cost Nationwide
Speaking in general terms, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,500 per eye for LASIK eye surgery. The actual cost depends on where you live, the ophthalmologist you choose, and the type of vision correction you need.
As you know, pricing for medical services in big cities tends to be higher than the cost of the same services in smaller urban areas. One reason for this discrepancy is local tax, but greater demand for the procedure also pushes the cost higher. An experienced eye surgeon may have a slightly higher rate than someone just starting out. Additionally, you are likely to pay more for the benefit of the most efficient — and likely the safest — technology.
LASIK Eye Surgery Cost Compared to Corrective Lens Cost
When you spread the cost of vision correction over your lifetime, what you pay for contact lenses and/or glasses doesn’t seem like a huge amount. When you do the numbers, though, the actual total is eye-opening.
In conservative terms, people spend an average of $240 per year on contact lenses alone. If you need specialized lenses, you probably pay significantly more. If you wear contacts for 30 to 40 years, you will spend between $7,200 and $9,600 at a minimum, not figuring for inflation. This doesn’t even include what you spend on glasses.
Depending on what you pay for LASIK, you could actually recoup the cost in as little as eight years with your contact lens savings alone. Even if you pay top dollar for LASIK, you would recoup the cost in 20 years or less. When you figure in the convenience and comfort you enjoy when you are contact-free, the laser eye surgery cost begins to look more than reasonable.
Does Health Insurance Cover Laser Eye Surgery?
Even though LASIK is a cost-effective procedure with a good return on your investment, it may still be difficult to pay the entire amount upfront. Most vision insurance policies don’t cover the procedure unless it is medically necessary. However, you do have options for financing your laser eye surgery cost. Many LASIK providers even offer payment plans to help you manage the cost.
Find out more about making refractive eye surgery affordable today by contacting us at the John P. Frangie M.D. LASIK clinic in West Springfield, Mass. Be sure to ask about monthly installment options.
