What Does LASIK Cost? The Breakdown

Filed in archive Costs of LASIK on March 20, 2010

Here's the breakdown: LASIK refractive surgery prices have remained relatively stable over the last few years, in part due to the global economic downturn. Many who might have considered refractive surgery are now turning to the more cost-effective alternatives of eye glasses or contact lenses, at least until the economy recovers.

© bark

Many surgeons initially priced LASIK using newer technologies like wavefront guided procedures as "add-ons" to conventional LASIK procedure prices; however the trend in 2009-10 seems to be to include the new technologies in the overall price of the procedure.

Still, when comparing the prices of conventional LASIK with those of wavefront guided LASIK or Intralase using a laser microkeratome, you will notice a price difference of several hundred dollars.

All Wrapped Up
Some of the costs of LASIK may include:

• Costs for the purchase, hire, or maintenance of the laser, microkeratome, or other equipment
• Royalty fees to laser manufacturers or technology developers
• Surgical supplies used for sterilization, such as gloves, masks, and gowns
• Microkeratome blades, surgical pharmaceuticals used during the surgery
• Any disposable equipment such as the cones and lenses used for Intralase
• Overhead for maintaining office and operating space, salaries of personnel
• Advertising, seminars, education
• Insurance
• Surgeon's fees (what the surgeon actually receives)
• The pre-operative evaluation, comprehensive eye examination, follow-up visits, and medications