LASIK Eye Surgery Costs
By Hanna Nilson
LASIK eye surgery
isn’t the cheapest procedure; especially as an elective surgery, the
costs may be something to take into serious account before going
“under the knife”.
You
may notice ads which promote LASIK eye surgery costs of $500 or even
$300. Well, the first thing you should know is that, unfortunately, such
prices would only make sense if they were applied per eye. Even then,
don’t expect to walk away with a bargain deal.
Katherine Wegert, from the WallStreetJournal, reports
that
LCA-Vision Inc (a major LASIK provider) “…will cut by one-third the
number of machines that do laser-vision correction as the market sees
slumping demand and the company aims to cut costs.” She continues:
“While most Lasik procedures are performed by doctor practices, LCA and
its rival
TLC Vision Corp. have been suffering as worries about job security
and other economic issues prompt people to think twice about undergoing
the LASIK procedure.
Secondly, even a reduced price range is most likely too good to be true.
Yes, Laser eye surgery costs
can be pretty high! In fact its prices seem to have been raised from an
average of $1600 in 2002 to almost $2000 in 2005. Luckily, these costs
have generally stabilized since then. The standard LASIK eye surgery
cost is now about $2000 - $2500.
Remember, these are just average estimates. All prices are subject to
change based on the type of surgery you might want or need. Also, even
where you live might factor into a higher or cheaper eye surgery cost.
For example, a
custom-Lasik procedure will cost more on the West Coast. Also, more
high-tech treatments such as those using
Wavefront technology, will always cost more than a traditional LASIK
treatment. Granted, these higher costs are applied with good reason;
such as more accurate adjustments, precise corrections, shorter recovery
time and less pain. However, for those with, say a less flexible budget;
you may want to consider financing.
Financing is a
practical and reasonable alternative to affording your LASIK eye surgery
cost.
LasikEyeSurgeryAnswers.com suggests that some companies offer
benefits which allow their employees to set aside money to cover extras
such as LASIK eye surgery expenses. “These programs have a number of
different titles - Flex Plans, Cafeteria Plans or Alternative Health
Plans. You can arrange for a payroll deduction and save an agreed sum of
pretax dollars to pay the LASIK eye surgery cost.” Since most insurance
companies don’t cover elective or “cosmetic” surgeries; this could be a
great way to save some money on your LASIK surgery. In any case, if you
chose LASIK eye surgery, be sure you can construct a manageable payment
plan.
Consult you’re preferred LASIK professionals or LASIK center
representatives for comparable rates and estimates. It’s also smart to
let them know that you are comparing their rates and see if they might
be willing to negotiate some pricing…You never know! Also, keep in mind
that cheapest may not always be best. LASIK eye surgery is a serious
procedure which can forever change your vision. In other words; if you
do it, make extra sure you do it right! Unfortunately, in this economy
of increased tension on supply vs. demand, this could mean spending a
little extra money…so make it worth the splurge and do your research!
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