LASIK Eye Surgery Cost

LASIK - stands for Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure/surgery performed that changes the shape of the cornea using a laser.

The cornea is the clear covering in front of the eye and is responsible for refracting light and gives the eye's optical power. This procedure is intended to reduce or eliminate the person's dependency on eye glasses or contacts.

A mechanical micro-blade or a laser keratome is used to make a small incision flap in the cornea exposing the middle section of the cornea called stroma. A pulsed laser is then applied to the area to vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.

COST:

LASIK eye surgery cost varies from doctor and clinics. It will also vary depending on your eye evaluation and assessment and extra tools that will be needed during surgery like if you opted for a All Laser (Intralase) instead of the keratome. The standard in pricing is quoted per eye.

Average Pricing: (per Eye)

$2,100+ - All laser vision correction.
$1,700+ - Basic LASIK Procedure using a keratome (microblade)
$2,300+ - wavefront guided LASIK using a laser created flap
source: allaboutvision

Insurance Note:

Most Vision Insurance companies don't cover LASIK et al procedures. Some Employers might have made arrangements with a LASIK clinic for a discounted price. Please see your Benefits Coordinator to make sure.

Most if not all LASIK clinics have financing options for the patients that can defray the costs of getting the procedure.

Surgery (How is it done?)

The surgery usually takes around 30 minutes and the patient lays down on a recliner chair inside the exam room with the Laser system. This setup usually includes a large machine with a mocrosope and a computer screen attached to it.

An eyedrop is used to numb your eye and the area surrounding your eye will be prepped and cleaned. An instrument called the "lid speculum" will be used to hold your eyelids open.

The doctor then will use a microkeratome (microblade) or a laser device to cut a flap in the cornea.

If a microkeratome is used, a ring type device will be placed on your eye and using pressure, it will create a suction effect to the cornea. Your vision will usually go dim and you will feel discomfort or pain during this part of the procedure. The microkeratome is then attached to the ring device and the doctor will start cutting a flap in your cornea.

If a laser is used the ake the corneal flap, the cornea is flattened with a transparent plastic plate. A discomfort can be felt at this time of the procedure. The laser will then be beamed in the cornea and will create thousands of microbubbles of gas and water that will expand causing tissues underneath the corneal surface to separate thus creating a flap.

you will still be able to see but will have alternating degrees of blurred vision during the rest of the procedure. The doctor will then lift the flap and fold it back exposing the tissue. The laser will then be positioned in the eye and you will be asked to stare at the light. This light is not the laser but a guide light that will help you maintain focus on one spot once the laser is turned on. You must be able to stare on the spot approximately 60 seconds if not, you might not be a good candidate for this surgery.

The doctor will start the laser whenever you can hold your focus on one position and you will start hearing sound emitted from the laser. As the laser dissolves tissue, you will be able to smell like a burning hair. The computer controls the intensity and the amount of laser energy delivered to your eye. The doctor programmed the computer based on his findings during the assessment phase. After the correct dosage has been delivered, the computer stops the laser and the doctor then replaces the flap back to its original position.

A shield is then placed on the eye for protection. There are no stitches that were made and this shield protects the flap from being disturbed during the healing stage.