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LASIK Eye Surgery Cost & Profile

  • Avg. Cost: $1700
  • Candidate: Over 18 with healthy corneas
  • Length: 10 minutes
  • Treatments: Usually one
  • Results: Permanent
  • Back to work: 1-3 days

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Common Questions & Answers about LASIK Eye Surgery

"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?"

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LASIK Information - Laser Eye Surgery Procedures and Costs


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What is LASIK?

LASIK is the most well-known refractive eye surgery procedure, offering near-perfect vision correction for thousands of people suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (misshapen cornea). LASIK laser eye surgery has been performed in the United States since 1993, and today’s technologies make it easier than ever to achieve clear vision.  If you’re one of the millions of people that wears contact lenses or glasses, LASIK eye surgery can correct your vision and eliminate your dependency on synthetic lenses for life.

How LASIK Laser Eye Surgery is Performed

LASIK laser eye surgery is performed under a mild anesthetic and your doctor may also administer some numbing eye drops to reduce discomfort.  If you wear contact lenses, you will be required to discontinue use at least 4 weeks prior to surgery; this reduces any inflammation in the sensitive eye area, and also allows the cornea to resume its natural shape.  After the anesthetic sets in, a small device known as a microkeratome is placed on the eye. 

A small blade is used to cut a thin flap on the surface of the cornea, and this is then folded back to explose the tissue known as the stroma.  The stroma must be clear of any debris or dirt before the laser can be administered. After the LASIK surgeon has cleaned the area, a laser will be administered to cut and remove the corneal tissue that is causing the vision problems. 

This entire process occurs within minutes, and the flap is repositioned on the eye so that it can heal.  You may be required to wear an eye patch to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of scratching or irritating the eyes.

LASIK Technology Today

LASIK technology has become more accurate and precise in recent years, and more doctors are turning to technologies such as the Wavefront Laser and excimer lasers that provide more control during the excision process. Learning about different technologies and options will be part of the consultation process with your LASIK doctor.

Other eye surgery procedures include:

What to Expect After LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Most people experience a marked improvement in vision immediately after surgery, and this will get better the following day. Vision is typically blurry for the first few days, and you may experience tearing or watering for a few hours after the procedure. Most doctors recommend refraining from swimming and strenuous sports for at least two months after surgery, as these activities can interfere with the healing process. Complete healing typically occurs up to six months after surgery, and any discomfort from the treatment will disappear within a few days. 

LASIK Surgery Complications

LASIK continues to be one of the safest and most effective vision correction procedures available, but still poses some health risks.  If the laser beam is not targeted to the right area, or if too much corneal tissue is removed, you may experience blurry night vision, the inability to focus, or you may see halos around lights. Some people also develop irregular astigmatism, especially if the eye does not heal properly, or they have excess scar tissue.

Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

LASIK isn’t the best procedure for all people with vision problems. You may be a good candidate for LASIK laser eye surgery if you:

  • Have a stable vision prescription – your eyes are not changing from one year to another
  • You are in good general health
  • You have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure
  • You’ve considered the risks and complications involved
  • You are not pregnant or nursing
  • You are not taking any prescription drugs

Cost of LASIK Surgery

The total cost of LASIK laser eye surgery varies by state, doctor and type of technology used. Since laser eye surgery is considered an elective surgery, you may need to obtain patient financing to manage the total costs involved. The average cost of LASIK per eye ranges from $1,300 to $2,570. These fees may not include doctor’s fees, follow-up care and any drug therapy associated with the procedure. (Source:  Marketscope 2007 Comprehensive Report on the Global Refractive Market)

Consulting with a LASIK professional can determine if you are a good fit for LASIK or laser eye surgery and they can guide you through the treatment process. Find out if you’re ready for LASIK surgery by consulting with a laser eye surgeon in your area. 

Published: 08/10/2008, Last Updated: 10/03/2008

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.





LASIK Eye Surgery Surgery Information Guide

Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
  1. LASIK Basics
    What you should know about LASIK surgery, including information about the latest technology.
  2. LASIK and Refractive Surgery Timeline
    Get a brief history of refractive surgery and see how technology has advanced.
  3. Information on LASEK
    A slight variation on the traditional LASIK procedure is becoming available, LASEK. This procedure may be an option for patients who are not good candidates for the traditional procedure. We have put together some information LASEK for your review.
  4. Vision Problems: Which one do you have? What does it mean?
    Learn about common vision problems, how they form, how they're measured, and how they can be corrected.
  5. LASIK Joins the Military
    LASIK, along with PRK, is being used to help active soldiers become independent from glasses and contacts.
  6. Online Video Presentation About LASIK Procedure
    Watch an online video presentation about the LASIK procedure. It covers the basics of LASIK: what to expect, how long the procedure takes, recovery time, etc.
  7. Another Commercial Laser Labeled for LASIK
    On May 11, 2000 Summit Autonomous received FDA approval to market its LadarVision System laser in the United States. The new approval allows surgeons to treat up to -9.0 D of myopia and up to 3.0D of astigmatism.
  8. Excimer Laser Procedures (LASIK, PRK, PARK)
    Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) uses the excimer laser to correct low to moderate amounts of refractive errors.
  9. From Contact Lenses to LASIK ? When to Make the Switch
    If you?re one of the millions of people hoping to switch from contact lenses to LASIK this year, the first step is setting up a consultation with your local eye doctor. Knowing when to make the switch will depend on your overall eye health, as well as how stable your eyes currently are.
Details of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
  1. Comparing the LASIK Lasers
    With all the different lasers available for use in LASIK eye surgery, how do you know which one is right for you? Does it matter? To help answer these questions we called upon some of the country's leading ophthalmologists to present a better vision of today's laser market.
  2. Is IntraLase a Safer Alternative for Your Eyes?
    Touted as "all-laser" LASIK, IntraLase promises better vision with fewer complications, but is it really true? Read how the procedure works, the pros and cons, and what type of patients benefit most.
  3. New Technology Increasing the Chance of 20/20 Vision to 99%
    Have you heard of the newest advancement in LASIK technology that offers a 99% chance of 20/20 vision without the use of glasses or contacts? Iris registration is the name of the special eye tracking tool that makes LASIK more precise than ever. Find out how it works, who's a candidate, and all the other advantages and limitations you need to make an informed decision.
  4. Covering the Cost of LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery
    If you are like most patients, the price of LASIK is an important consideration when deciding whether or not to undergo surgery. Learn about the different options that can help you make LASIK more affordable.
  5. LASIK Complications: Definitions and treatment options
    Learn about the possible complications of LASIK surgery, how they can be prevented, and how they are treated.
  6. Presbyopia Surgery: Decreasing Dependence on Reading Glasses...
    Monovision eye surgery can decrease dependence on reading glasses. Learn what it is and the options available
  7. Tired of Wearing Glasses for Seeing at a Distance? Why LASIK...
    It seems that LASIK has been all the rage in vision correction surgery since it was approved for use in 1998, generally accounting for somewhere around 95% of all refractive surgeries. But now a new procedure, using the technology that has been successful during cataract surgery, may offer a more desirable option for severely nearsighted patients.
  8. Study Recommends Longer than Previously Suggested Discontinuance...
    Discontinuing use of conctat lenses before LASIK surgery is an important step to reducing surgical risks. A new study finds that the use of some lenses shoulod be stopped earlier than previously advised.
  9. FDA-Approved lasers
    FDA-Approved lasers for LASIK, PRK and other refractive surgeries
  10. LASIK Surgery Considerations
    Considerations outlines the criteria you will need to weigh in order to make a well-informed decision.
  11. LASIK Glossary
    Glossary of technical words related to LASIK
  12. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Policy on LASIK
    According to the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin, Fall 1998, the FAA accepts LASIK for its pilots, as long as...
  13. LocateADoc.com pays for Nashville, TN father's surgery
    Winning LocateADoc.com's November $2k contest, Anthony Edwards, a firefighter from Nashville, Tennessee won a chance to rid his life of the inconvenience of wearing glasses.
  14. The Excimer Laser
    The Excimer Laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
  15. The Future of LASIK ? What to Expect
    Is now the best time to pursue LASIK surgery, or should you wait a few more years until technology gets even better? Learn about your future options with LASIK and corrective eye surgery.
Ready for LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
  1. Is Lasik Really the Answer to Vision Problems? Complications...
    LASIK surgery accounts for over 2 million services for vision correction each year and has quickly become one of the most effective ways to maintain good eye health while correcting common vision problems. Still, many people are walking away from the doctor?s office with less than perfect results. Learn about the potential complications to make an informed decision for corrective eye surgery.
  2. Find Laser Eye Surgery Doctors In Other Cities
  3. Patient Financing
    Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
After LASIK Eye Surgery
  1. Recommend Your Doctor
Featured Articles & News Related to LASIK Eye Surgery
"What other related things might I like to know?"
  1. FDA Approves First LASIK Device for Monovision
    Patients who suffer from monovision can now receive LASIK surgery so that they will never have to wear bifocals again.
  2. Are You Paying Too Much for LASIK? The Real Costs of Corrective...
    Have you ever wondered why LASIK costs more in some cities and states than others? If you?re considering LASIK eye surgery, make sure you?re not paying too much by considering the following factors:
  3. Six Foods That Improve Your Vision
    Poor eyesight is often associated with aging and genetics, but experts suggest that eyesight damage can be prevented with everyday foods. Are you eating enough of these six important foods?
  4. Eight Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery
    Cell degeneration begins as early as your late 20s and vision impairment is just one of the major health problems associated with aging. Are you showing signs of cataracts?
  5. Key Benefits of Zyoptix Laser Eye Surgery
    The Zyoptix system is designed by Bausch & Lomb, and the company claims that this system is more precise than the standard LASIK treatment. How does it work? Here's a closer look at this innovative vision correction system.
  6. Do's and Don'ts After LASIK Surgery
    Have you recently had LASIK surgery? Make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible with these tips and suggestions.
  7. Laser Eye Surgery for Diabetic Eye Disease ? What You Need to...
    Diminishing vision, cataracts, and poor blood vessel structure are all signs of diabetic eye disease. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, find out why laser eye surgery can help improve your vision.
  8. LASIK Information - Laser Eye Surgery Procedures and Costs
    LASIK laser eye surgery has been performed in the United States since 1993, and today?s technologies make it easier than ever to achieve clear vision. Here's what you need to know about laser eye surgery procedures.
  9. How to Reduce the Risk of Bad LASIK Surgery
    The latest advancements and innovative technologies used for LASIK laser eye surgery have made the procedure safer and more effective than a decade ago, but there are still several reports of bad LASIK surgery; learn how to avoid becoming a victim of bad surgery.
  10. Blade vs. Bladeless LASIK - What You Need to Know
    Which type of laser eye surgery really offers the most benefits? Here?s what to consider when researching blade or bladeless LASIK.
  11. Benefits and Drawbacks of the iLASIK Procedure
    iLASIK is one of the latest procedures designed to reshape the cornea within a matter of minutes and promises 20/20 vision or better. Does iLASIK sound good to be true? Here?s what you need to know.
Browse All Articles

Related Subjects and Keywords: lasik  lasek  laser eye surgery  lasik laser procedures  vision correction  lasik costs  lasek costs  lasik eye surgery 


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