LASIK eye surgery is a great option for many people with imperfect vision. This popular procedure utilizes laser energy to correct the shape of the eye and improve eyesight, often eliminating the need for contacts and glasses. One of the big factors that may affect your decision to get laser eye surgery is the cost? For many people, this option is affordable alternative to some other eye corrective methods. Other people may find the costs of LASIK too prohibitive and may instead opt for a lower-cost option.

Costs of LASIK Surgery

LASIK costs vary significantly from surgeon to surgeon. Factors such as the type of laser procedure, amount of follow-up care and degree of correction needed all play a role in the price of this surgery. New techniques are often more expensive the traditional methods, so it is important to ask plenty of questions before deciding which options are right for your eyes.

Recent statistics suggest that very few procedures cost less than $1,000 per eye. These less expensive surgeries typically use traditional eximer lasers rather than some of the newer techniques. Recent developments use IntraLase and wavefront procedures, which typically cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per eye.

Costs of LASIK Alternatives

For many years, the costs of LASIK grew at a steady rate, but recent trends have seen prices level out at a steady level. Before you decide if this surgery is right for you, consider the costs of the alternatives. The following are a few of the most common vision correction treatments and their typical costs.

&bull Conductive Keratoplasty (CK): This procedure utilizes radio waves to shrink collagen in the cornea and help those with far-sighted vision improve their eyesight. Typical costs of the procedure range between $1,500 and $2,000 per eye.

&bull Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK): This procedure was once the most common type of laser eye surgery. Using a traditional eximer laser, the surgeon uses ultraviolet light to reshape the cornea and improve vision. The costs of this procedure are very similar to those of LASIK, ranging between $1,000 and $2,500 per eye.

&bull Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE): In this procedure, the patient's natural lens is replaced with an artificial one to correct vision. While this surgery does not have official FDA approval, surgeons are able to perform it as an "off-label" procedure. However, costs are significantly higher, ranging between $2,500 and $4,000 per eye.

Finding the Best Deals on LASIK

You've probably seen plenty of ads promising deep discounts on LASIK surgery. How truthful are these ads? While it is possible to get a good deal on the procedure, it is still a fairly complex medical procedure that will carry a fairly significant cost. Always discuss your concerns with your LASIK eye surgeon, who may be able to help you secure financing or work out a payment plan that is appropriate for you.