Are you considering getting LASIK eye surgery?
If so, you’re not alone. In fact, over 800,000 LASIK procedures are performed every year. LASIK is actually the most popular elective surgery throughout the world — you probably know someone who has had it.
Plus, it has a 95% rate of success, which makes it even more tempting to say a final farewell to your glasses and contact lenses.
The procedure has countless benefits that all make the LASIK eye surgery cost worth every penny.
But exactly how much will LASIK eye surgery cost you?
What else do you need to know when you go in for your procedure?
LASIK, as with any surgery, isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. You need to know what questions to ask, what you can expect over the course of the procedure, and much more.
To help you get as much information as possible, so that you can determine whether or not the LASIK eye surgery cost is worth it to you, we’ve created this helpful guide.
In it, we’ll answer some of the most common questions. We’ll also discuss other crucial aspects of LASIK.
Keep reading to learn how you can get one step closer to clearer vision.
LASIK Eye Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we get into more specific details like LASIK eye surgery cost and what conditions could prevent you from getting LASIK, let’s answer some of the most common questions we hear.
“Does LASIK hurt?”
This is undoubtedly the most common question people ask about LASIK, even before they bring up LASIK eye surgery cost.
Many potential candidates may have even put off getting LASIK in the past because they’re afraid of the potential pain of the surgery.
We’re here to put those rumors to rest once and for all.
LASIK eye surgery might feel strange or slightly uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt. In order to keep you calm, you may be given a prescription medication beforehand. You’ll also be given novocaine, which will numb your eyes.
In short: you won’t be able to feel anything at all, other than perhaps a slight amount of pressure. Also be aware that the lasers used are cold, not hot — so there’s no risk of burning the eyes’ surface.
You will be awake during the procedure, which is another reason why Valium or a similar medication is given to patients.
“When can I go back to my normal life?”
As you’ve probably guessed, LASIK isn’t the sort of thing you immediately recover from. In other words, make sure you have a friend to drive you both to and from the procedure.
Afterwards, you should sleep for anywhere from 5-7 hours — you might find your eyes feel especially tired.
The good news?
The recovery period is easy and surprisingly quick. Plus, most people begin to see better right after the surgery, and their eyesight gradually improves over the course of a week after the surgery.
Most people can go back to work as soon as 24 hours after their surgery. However, be aware that screen time should be limited, and that reading might be tough for the first week after the surgery.
Also, to be on the safe side, you shouldn’t wear any eye makeup, take hot, long showers, or spend too much time outdoors (especially if you live in a dusty area) for about two weeks after surgery.
Some people claim to experience seeing “halos” a for a few days after surgery, or complain of blurred vision.
Most often, these halos and other side effects clear up after a few days. However, if you’re still experiencing these issues for weeks after your procedure, it’s time to get in touch with your doctor.
“How long will my LASIK results last?”
More good news: this procedure will most likely last for the rest of your life, making LASIK eye surgery cost well worth it.
You will not need to have surgery a second time.
However, keep in mind that if you experience other age-related challenges to your vision, like cataracts, your vision may still be impacted. LASIK does not protect against or prevent cataracts or presbyopia.
Be aware that, in some cases and during some activities, you may still need to wear your glasses, such as when driving. However, the vast majority of those who have made an investment in LASIK eye surgery cost will not need to wear glasses or contacts anymore.
“Can I do both eyes at once?”
It’s fairly common for most patients to elect to have surgery on both operated on during the same appointment. This is another factor that helps to make the LASIK eye surgery cost more affordable.
However, be aware that this may not always be possible based on your age, previous conditions, and other factors that you and your doctor will discuss during a consultation.
“What actually happens during LASIK surgery?”
Of course, some people are curious about what goes on during the procedure itself, while others would truly rather not know.
If you’re curious, here’s what happens.
You’re put under one laser, and a suction ring is placed on your eye. The laser rapidly shoots out millions of tiny pulses that cut a small flap in your eye’s cornea. That’s laser number one.
Laser number two actually cuts and remolds the shape of your cornea, and gets rids of excess tissue. Then, the flap is closed up, and you’re done. Surprisingly, the whole thing usually only takes about 10 minutes on each eye.
LASIK Eye Surgery Cost: What Should You Expect?
Now that we’ve answered some of the most common questions, let’s start getting into LASIK eye surgery cost.
Let’s get the tough news about LASIK eye surgery cost out of the way first. In general, LASIK is considered an elective procedure. This means that the majority of insurance companies will not cover it.
However, if you do have vision insurance, you may actually be qualified to receive a discount on your LASIK procedure.
The best way to know whether or not you’re eligible for any coverage or discounts is to get in contact with your insurance company directly.
Also, be aware that there are multiple factors that will impact the overall cost of your surgery. If your surgeon tries to give you a quote without first evaluating your eyesight, it’s not a good sign. In general, LASIK can cost as little as $300 per eye, or as much as $4,000 per eye.
With a range like that, you’ll certainly want to ask your doctor about what you’ll be expected to pay. We shouldn’t have to say this, but when it comes to eye surgery, don’t cut corners.
Follow the golden rule: if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.
Some of the factors that will influence LASIK eye surgery cost include:
- Your age and prescription
- The size of your pupils
- The shape/thickness of your cornea
- If you have dry eyes
- Wavefront examination
Keep in mind that having these things tested, or talking about them with your surgeon, is also a way to ensure you get the type of procedure you need. (We’ll talk more about what you should bring up with your doctor in a minute.)
Most LASIK centers will offer you a free evaluation in order to make the LASIK eye surgery cost more manageable.
Additionally, many will also discuss possible financing options with you when they bring you in for your initial evaluation. Yes, LASIK will likely be a bit of an investment. However, it’s one that pays off — and will certainly save you money down the road.
You may even be able to use funding from your HSA, FSA, or HRA accounts if you’re looking into more financing options.
When you consider the cost of contacts, new glasses, eye appointments, lenses, and frames, the surgery may very likely end up paying for itself.
What to Talk About Before Surgery
Now that we’ve covered LASIK eye surgery cost and some of the most popular questions we get asked, there are a few things you’ll need to be sure to ask to help you determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK. You’ll also need to let your doctor know a few things about your eyesight.
Let’s go over them now.
You should let your doctor know if you experience frequent dry eyes. While dryness is a common and temporary side effect after LASIK, if you’ve struggled with dry eyes for years, you need to tell your doctor so that you can treat the problem.
If you don’t get dry eyes under control before your operation, there could be serious consequences.
Also, always tell your surgeon if you’ve ever had trouble wearing contacts. Sometimes, this is due to the same dry eye problem we mentioned above. But other times, it could be because your cornea is not the right shape — which means you may not be a candidate for LASIK.
Additionally, be certain you ask who will perform any pre-op work you need to have done. Make sure that the surgeon will review the findings of any tests that were done before the operation, and ensure that the surgeon practices in your community.
This may seem obvious, but you need to be aware that if the surgeon isn’t actually licensed in your state, you may have issues accessing your doctor if there are any complications.
Finally, ask how your doctor will make the LASIK flap — with a laser or a blade? If your surgeon uses blades, ask to make sure that a new blade will be used for each eye.
Showing your surgeon that you’ve done your homework, both in regards to LASIK eye surgery cost and the procedure itself, ensures you’ll get the best treatment possible.
What Should You Look for in a Good Surgeon?
Now that we’ve discussed LASIK eye surgery cost, let’s move onto talking about what you should look for in a good surgeon.
You might be tempted to rely on online research or the recommendation of your friends and family. However, this is your eyes we’re talking about — and any type of eye surgery should be taken seriously.
While there aren’t many risks associated with getting LASIK, you don’t want to be dealing with itchy, watery, or dry eyes for the rest of your life. This is why it’s so important to find an experienced eye doctor that you can trust.
Look for an eye doctor that puts patient care above everything else. Be sure to ask for references, and make sure you have as much information as possible about their educational and medical background.
Do they sit on any boards? Have they recently hosted any events or given speeches in their fields? Do a little sleuthing online to find out the extent of their professional research.
Are You Ready to Improve Your Vision?
Thanks to this post, you now know what to expect in terms of LASIK eye surgery cost, benefits, and procedure.
You’re also aware of the most important things you need to ask your doctor when considering having the surgery.
Of course, while LASIK eye surgery is incredibly popular, it’s certainly not the only type of eye surgery or care you may be interested in. Whether you have Glaucoma, need general optometry services, or even have questions about aesthetic surgeries, we are here to help.
To learn about how we can help you to see things more clearly, we invite you to spend some time on our website.
If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out to us to schedule a consultation.
Isn’t it time that you started to see the world in a better light?
