"I am 50 yrs old, have been wearing eyeglasses since I was 7 yrs. old for myopia. I now also have bifocals. I've also been told I have severe astigmatism and also congenital cataracts. Could I possilby be a candidate for lasik surgery?"
| LASIK Eye Surgery Austin, Texas Elite Eye Clinic, | |
| LASIK Eye Surgery Camarillo, California John Davidson, MD | |
| LASIK Eye Surgery Los Angeles, California Thomas Tooma, MD, Medical Director | |
| LASIK Eye Surgery Tyler, Texas Heaton Associates, | |
| LASIK Eye Surgery Fishkill, New York David Steinberg, |

Have you ever wondered why LASIK costs more in some cities and states than others? Some laser eye surgery centers may offer treatments at under $500 per eye, while others reach over $5000 for the total treatment. What accounts for these wide price ranges?
The total cost of treatment may depend on a doctor’s experience, the type of equipment used, and average market prices in a specific location. LASIK eye surgery has become more affordable in recent years because of new technologies and an increased number of available doctors to perform the procedure.
LASIK procedures have become a competitive business, and being an informed patient when choosing a doctor means you can benefit from reduced treatment programs without compromising your health. If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, make sure you’re not paying too much by considering the following factors:
Every doctor sets their own price for LASIK surgery based on:
Standard LASIK surgery costs were $3,570 for both eyes in 2005, according to IntraLase Corporation. Custom LASIK and procedures that use some of the latest technologies can increase the cost up to $500 per eye.
Today, the cost has steadily dropped around the nation, but higher-priced options that use innovative technologies may offer safer and more effective results.
MarketScope, a research company for the ophthalmic industry in Manchester, Missouri reports the following national average costs associated with different LASIK procedures for 2008:
Flapless: $1750 per eye, average range $1300 - $2200
Wavefront Flapless: $2000 per eye, average range of $1650 - $2350
LASIK: $1700 per eye, average range of $1250-$2150
Wavefront LASIK: $2050 per eye, average range of $1600 - $2500
IntraLASIK: $2300 per eye, average range of $1700 - $2900
Wavefront IntraLASIK: $2400 per eye, average range of $1850 - $2950 (Source: MarketScope Reports)
Wavefront and IntraLASIK procedures make use of the latest technology, and are considerably more expensive. Still, most doctors offer convenient payment plans and low-interest patient financing to make it easier to manage the costs of LASIK.
Despite the $1000+ price tags for quality LASIK procedures, many laser eye surgery centers offer rock-bottom pricing on each service. As attractive as these ‘bargain-priced’ services may sound, some can compromise your health and safety. The Pendleton Eye Center, a professional eye clinic in Oceanside, California encourages all patients to simply ignore the 'bargain discount laser surgery mart’ because most go bankrupt within a few years of operation, and "will destroy your records as soon as state laws permit" (Source: PendletonEye.com).
It’s important to learn as much as possible about your doctor before signing a contract for your procedure; this process ma involve reviewing patient testimonials, learning about the doctor’s experience, and finding out what resources you have available in case of any complications.
Paying the right price for LASIK may require you to stretch your budget, but when you know what the average costs of LASIK surgery and related procedures are in your area, you can make a better decision. Patient financing can also help manage costs so you don’t have to scale back on what’s more important than your budget – your health and safety.
Learn more about LASIK procedures in our Information Guide to LASIK Procedures, or locate a doctor for laser eye surgery in your area to get a quote on your procedure and set up a consultation.
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
Related Subjects and Keywords: lasik lasik eye surgery corrective eye surgery corrective eye procedures
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