You’ve seen the commercials and ads: why are the advertised prices of LASIK always so different from the actual cost of LASIK? There are several reasons.
Primarily, the advertised costs for LASIK are usually based on the most basic procedure for patients who have a small refractive error. These are patients who may barely need to wear glasses or contacts at all.
It can be frustrating when you see an advertised price, schedule your LASIK consultation, and find out that you won’t be getting LASIK at the advertised price. As LASIK is a surgical procedure, you get what you pay for.
More than that, but by choosing to have LASIK, you can save yourself money over time. If you’re concerned that LASIK is outside of your budget, most people use financing or a payment plan to make LASIK more affordable.
Ready to learn more about what LASIK will really cost you? Keep reading to find out the truth behind LASIK pricing!
Why is LASIK Pricing So Confusing?
As the adage goes, you get what you pay for. LASIK is a permanent procedure that corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.
If you find out that you’re a good LASIK candidate and decide to have the procedure, you owe yourself to choose a practice that can provide you with the best possible results. Not all LASIK procedures are created equal.
Technology Matters if You Want a Custom LASIK Procedure
Several things can enhance your LASIK procedure, including the surgeon’s experience, the quality of the technology and equipment used, and whether or not you have a customized procedure. Not only does See Clearly Vision offer our patients custom LASIK, but we use the iDESIGN Refractive Studio.
iDESIGN is the first and only topo-integrated wavefront-guided LASIK technology that’s available, and it takes your LASIK procedure to the next level. Topographic mapping of the cornea means that every patient receives the most accurate and precise LASIK procedure possible.
It also increases the chances of achieving 20/20 vision or better. If you’re considering a basement LASIK provider, you won’t find this level of customization or state-of-the-art technology available. You may end up sacrificing better vision in the name of getting what looks like a good deal.
The Cost of LASIK Increases If You Have a Stronger Prescription
There’s also your prescription. The stronger and more complicated your prescription, the more LASIK costs.
LASIK will cost much less for you if you have a lower prescription and are only mildly nearsighted. Compare that to someone with severe nearsightedness or higher levels of astigmatism and farsightedness, and they will pay more for LASIK.
But keep in mind that if you have a stronger prescription, LASIK is also likely to be more valuable. You may be someone that relies on glasses or contact lenses to see and depends on visual aids.
For someone with a milder prescription, this may not be the case. If you know that you rely on your visual aids to see, imagine if you could even reduce your dependence on them.
It would be life-changing! To even have the possibility of waking up and seeing clearly would mean seeing the world in a whole new light, which for many people, is priceless.
You can break down LASIK pricing, allowing you to understand better what you’re getting when you pay for LASIK. When you have a pricing quote, there are some specific questions you can ask your surgeon to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.
Questions You Should Ask Your LASIK Surgeon About The Cost of LASIK
To figure out if you’re getting a reasonable price, ask your LASIK surgeon the following questions. It’s an excellent way to break down what may feel like a very high price point and get a better understanding of everything a practice can offer you.
What Technology Do You Use?
When you’re getting LASIK, the end goal should be to choose a practice that uses the best and most advanced technology available. You will pay more for state-of-the-art LASIK technology, but it’s worth it.
Look for bladeless, wavefront-guided technology that maps your eyes and tracks your eye movement during the procedure. This ensures a more precise, customized procedure that accurately corrects your vision to your unique prescription.
Bladed, non-customized LASIK procedures may cost less, but they may mean longer recovery times and less precise results.
Are Follow-up Appointments Included?
You may be quoted a price that includes follow-up appointments, which some practices charge separately and don’t include in their advertised prices. If you get a lower-cost procedure, you may be surprised by the charges after your first follow-up appointment after surgery.
Before scheduling anything, check to make sure you know everything that’s included in the price of your LASIK procedure. If you’re paying separately for follow-up appointments and aftercare, you may not be getting the best deal for your eyes.
Does the Practice Have a Lifetime Enhancement Policy?
Although it’s rare to need one, some patients undergo a LASIK enhancement. Most patients end up with 20/20 vision or better when they have LASIK, but that’s not a guarantee.
Always ask to see if the practice has a Lifetime Enhancement Policy. This policy covers any further LASIK procedures you may need in years to come. The addition of this policy does mean your initial LASIK procedure may cost more, but it will ensure the best long-term outcomes.
Is My LASIK Surgeon a Cornea Specialist?
Not all ophthalmologists or LASIK surgeons are cornea specialists, but it does give your LASIK surgeon more experience with the cornea. LASIK is performed exclusively on the cornea, so a cornea specialist is an ideal surgeon to perform the procedure.
Choosing a LASIK surgeon that’s a cornea specialist ensures that your surgeon has extensive training and has plenty of experience performing LASIK.
A Long-Term Investment
Ultimately, LASIK is an investment in your future. It can save you money by potentially eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. It’ll also give you the chance to experience visual freedom, which many people consider priceless.
Although LASIK may seem challenging to afford, See Clearly Vision offers financing and payment plans. There’s no reason that something like cost should stand in your way of achieving the clear vision you want!
Don’t forget that when you undergo LASIK, you’re also paving the way to a lifetime of savings. Most patients pay off the cost of their LASIK procedure in as little as two years after they have LASIK! After that point, you own your clear vision for the rest of your life.
Ready to find out if LASIK could be the right vision correction procedure for you? Take the first step by scheduling a LASIK consultation at See Clearly Vision in Arlington or Tysons Corner, and begin your journey to visual freedom!
